bubble_chart Concept

A patient whose facial color is yellower and less lustrous than that of a normal person is referred to as having a "complexion shallow yellow." Complexion shallow yellow generally indicates a deficiency pattern and a dampness pattern. Suwen．Chapter on the Generation of the Five Zang-Organs: "Colors and flavors correspond to the five zang-organs: ... yellow corresponds to the spleen and sweetness." Lingshu．Chapter on the Five Colors: "The five colors are used to name the organs: ... yellow corresponds to the spleen." Zhengzhi Zhunsheng．Summary of Observing Colors: "Yellow color belongs to earth, governs dampness, and is the color of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian." Clinically, complexion shallow yellow should be distinguished from "jaundice," which refers to the yellowing of the entire skin (face, eyes, body) and urine, and is classified as jaundice; this condition is only characterized by a shallow yellow and lack of luster on the face, which is different from jaundice.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Spleen-Stomach Qi Deficiency︰Complexion shallow yellow, poor appetite, abdominal distension and fullness after eating, fatigue and lack of strength, shortness of qi and reluctance to speak, loose and thin stools, pale tongue with white coating, weak and slow pulse. This is caused by spleen-stomach qi deficiency, dysfunction in transportation and transformation, insufficient generation of qi and blood, leading to malnourishment of the skin. Otherwise, these symptoms would not occur. Spleen-kidney qi deficiency with complexion shallow yellow. Treatment should focus on tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen. The recommended formula is Four Gentlemen Decoction with modifications.
2. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Retention︰The complexion is shallow yellow, with facial puffiness and limb swelling, heaviness in the limbs, poor appetite, abdominal distension and fullness, fatigue and lack of strength, a deep and turbid voice, scanty urine, loose stool, a pale and enlarged tongue texture, or with tooth marks, a slippery and greasy tongue coating, and a slow and weak pulse. This is caused by spleen deficiency leading to water-dampness stagnation. Both syndromes present with a shallow yellow complexion, poor appetite, abdominal distension and fullness, lack of strength, and loose stool, which are manifestations of spleen-stomach deficiency. However, in the case of spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction and a shallow yellow complexion, there is also water-dampness stagnation, characterized by facial puffiness, limb swelling, heaviness in the limbs, and scanty urine. The treatment should focus on invigorating the spleen and draining dampness. The recommended formulas are Patchouli, Magnolia Bark, Pinellia, and Poria Decoction or modified Stomach Poria Decoction.
3. Insufficiency of Nutritive Qi and Blood︰Complexion shallow yellow, lips and tongue color pale, dizziness and blurred vision, palpitations and insomnia, limb numbness, women with scanty menstruation, delayed periods or even amenorrhea, shortness of breath and low voice, fine and weak pulse. This syndrome is often caused by excessive loss of blood, or spleen-stomach weakness leading to insufficient generation and transformation, or excessive injury from the seven emotions, resulting in the hidden depletion of nutrient-blood. Therefore, the complexion shallow yellow is accompanied by symptoms of blood deficiency such as dizziness and blurred vision, palpitations and insomnia, limb numbness, scanty menstruation, and fine and weak pulse, which are relatively easy to differentiate. Treatment should focus on tonifying qi and nourishing blood, with prescriptions such as Four Ingredients Decoction, or Ginseng Nutrient-Nourishing Decoction with modifications.

Yellow is the color of the spleen and earth. A complexion that is shallow yellow indicates spleen deficiency, impaired transportation, insufficient transformation of resources, or chronic blood deficiency leading to malnourishment. When diagnosing a shallow yellow complexion, attention should also be paid to the luster of the color. For example, if the yellow is dry and lacks luster, it signifies stomach qi damage. As stated in Suwen, Chapter "Five Zang-Organs Generation": "Yellow like an Immature Orange Fruit indicates death; ... Yellow like the belly of a crab indicates life." Suwen, Maiyao Jingwei Lun: "Yellow should resemble realgar wrapped in silk, not like yellow soil."

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Zhengzhi Zhunsheng．"Summary of Complexion Observation": "If the tip of the nose, the bridge of the nose, and the glabella have a bright and moist yellow aura, it indicates the retreat of illness and a sign of good fortune. If it appears dry and withered, it signifies death. In general, when an illness is about to be cured, the canthus of the eye will turn yellow."
2. Yimen Falu．"On the Inspection of Complexion": "The yellow color represents the central earth. If a patient's face and eyes show a yellow color without being invaded by other colors, it is auspicious. If there is no yellow color on the face and eyes, and they are only invaded by other colors, it is inauspicious."