The pattern of both yin and yang deficiency is a general term for a series of deficiency symptoms caused by the overall deficiency of dual yin and yang in the body. This condition is often due to prolonged illness without recovery, resulting in the impairment of both yin and yang, or yang impairment affecting yin, or yin impairment affecting yang. The pattern of both yin and yang deficiency discussed here refers to the overall deficiency of both yin and yang in the body. The concurrent yin deficiency and yang deficiency in specific zang-fu organs, or the deficiency of both qi and yin, or the pattern of both qi and blood deficiency, are not covered in this section.

The main manifestations of the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency include: emaciation, listlessness, shortness of qi, reluctance to speak, fatigue and lack of strength, cold body and limbs, fever and sweating with slight movement, palpitations, dizziness, tinnitus, a pale and dry tongue with or without tooth marks or a peeled coating, a faint and rapid pulse. Symptoms of yin deficiency become more pronounced when taking warm and hot-natured medicines, while symptoms of yang deficiency worsen when taking bitter and cold-natured medicines. The symptoms are complex and changeable, often showing signs of yin deficiency and yang deficiency in the zang-fu organs.

This syndrome is commonly seen in the late stage [third stage] of many diseases and is often based on pathological changes in the zang-fu organs. Therefore, the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency often manifests as the yin deficiency and yang deficiency pattern in certain zang-fu organs. For information on which diseases commonly exhibit the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency in various zang-fu organs, refer to the relevant entries on zang-fu organ symptoms and signs.

The pattern of both yin and yang deficiency is commonly seen in individuals who have been ill for a long time and are in a weakened state. Patients with this condition experience zang-fu organ deficiency of dual yin and yang, making them intolerant to both cold and hot climates. They often cannot endure cold in winter or heat in summer, and their condition tends to worsen during seasonal transitions in spring and autumn. Due to their weakened state, their resistance to disease is low, making them more susceptible to other illnesses. In infants, this pattern manifests as delayed development, while in the elderly, it accelerates aging. If they contract another illness, it tends to linger and become severe. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment should be approached with particular caution.

The pattern of both yin and yang deficiency often occurs in patients with chronic illnesses, usually resulting from yin deficiency affecting yang, or yang deficiency affecting yin. If the deficiency of both yin and yang progresses further, it can lead to the exhaustion of both yin and yang. This manifests as symptoms such as edema, shortage of qi, labored breathing, weak voice, dull gaze, tidal fever, collapse of liquid on the tongue, oral thrush, hiccups, profuse sweating, cold extremities, and a faint, rapid pulse on the verge of collapse—all of which are critical signs.

bubble_chart Differentiation of Similar Patterns

1. pattern of both qi and blood deficiency and pattern of both yin and yang deficiency: The pattern of both qi and blood deficiency falls within the scope of the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency. The pattern of both qi and blood deficiency is caused by prolonged illness that does not heal, or initially presenting with qi deficiency, which fails to transform blood and subsequently leads to blood deficiency, or by initial loss of blood, leading to qi depletion following blood loss. Clinically, it manifests as a lack of facial luster, fatigue, lack of strength, shortage of qi, and reluctance to speak, which are signs of qi deficiency pattern, as well as palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, and numbness in the hands and feet, which are signs of blood deficiency. The pattern of both yin and yang deficiency also occurs in cases of prolonged illness that does not heal. Prolonged deficiency without recovery leads to long-term damage to yin, with yang following yin depletion; prolonged yang deficiency leads to yin following yang decline, both of which can result in the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency. In addition to the manifestations of the pattern of both qi and blood deficiency, the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency also includes signs of yang deficiency generating cold and yin deficiency generating heat, such as fear of cold, cold limbs, tidal fever, night sweats, and other symptoms.
2. pattern of qi and yin deficiency and pattern of both yin and yang deficiency: The pattern of qi and yin deficiency is caused by insufficient transformation due to qi deficiency or by the consumption of qi and yin in the late stage of warm disease [third stage]. Its clinical manifestations include fatigue, lack of strength, shortage of qi, and reluctance to speak, which are signs of qi deficiency pattern, as well as emaciation, dry mouth and throat, tidal fever, night sweats, vexing heat in the chest, palms, and soles, and flushed cheeks in the afternoon, which are signs of yin deficiency. The distinction between the pattern of qi and yin deficiency and the pattern of both yin and yang deficiency lies mainly in the absence of obvious signs of yang deficiency generating cold in the former, while the latter exhibits signs of deficiency cold and deficiency heat.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun‧Deficiency Fatigue Diseases: "Deficiency Fatigue Guest Heat Syndrome: People with deficiency fatigue have weak blood and qi, deficiency of dual yin and yang, and a small amount of labor can generate heat. Heat is generated due to labor, hence it is named guest heat."
2. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun‧Deficiency Fatigue Diseases: "Deficiency Fatigue Restlessness Syndrome: This is due to deficiency of dual yin and yang, with yin qi being particularly insufficient and yang qi suddenly becoming excessive, then heat invades the heart, causing restlessness."
3. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun‧Deficiency Fatigue Diseases: "Deficiency Fatigue Pudendal Coldness Syndrome: This is due to the weakness of dual yin and yang. The kidneys govern the essence and marrow, and are resuscitated by yin. Now with yin deficiency and yang weakness, blood and qi cannot nourish each other, thus causing pudendal coldness. If this persists for a long time, it will lead to yin weakness."