Mind-body connection. Where is this? Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body.

—Cicero

CHAPTER 3

Yin and Yang Theory

Most people now recognize the yin/yang symbol. You may have seen it on bumper stickers, T-shirts, yoga clothes, or in martial arts studios. It represents the fine balance of yin and yang in our bodies, in nature, and in life. It’s the balance of hot and cold, moist and dry, day and night, action and rest, aggression and passivity, male and female. Yin and yang exist in every organ and in all aspects of life: in people, in other animals, and in nature. The concept originally comes from Taoism, a religious belief system dating back to the third or fourth century BC in China. Everything yang has a little yin in it, and vice versa. Both yin and yang are a part of, and have an impact on, your physical health. Let me explain in further detail what yin and yang actually are.

Yin is the black parts of the circle. It represents nighttime, water, slow movements, contraction, dissension, below, the front of the body, internal, softness, the Earth, female energy, nourishment, blood, rest, moisture, and contemplation. It regulates female hormones. Yin in the body helps keep the body cool, especially in the evening. Without enough of it you can experience night sweats, which is the case for many menopausal women. Yin contributes to the making of blood. It is also calming, thus preventing anxiety.

Yang is the white of the circle. It represents daytime, light, sun, fire, above, expansion, the back of the body, the exterior, rapid movement, hardness, male energy, testosterone, action, and the heavens. It warms the body, promotes circulation of qi and blood, and provides energy. Yang helps to get you going in the morning or running in an emergency. Without enough of it, you may feel tired or cold much of the time.

Keeping yang and yin in harmony is a very delicate balance and necessary for optimal health. Without this harmony, illness, discomfort, and emotional issues will occur. Yin and yang cannot exist without each other. If yin starts to go out of balance, a yang imbalance will soon follow, and vice versa. If yin becomes weak or deficient, yang becomes excessive. Eventually the cycle turns, and the conditions become the opposite: yin excess, yang deficiency. Without lifestyle changes, herbs, and proper nutrition, the imbalance can go on indefinitely and become more and more severe, resulting in illness, mood swings, or serious health issues.

Catching a cold that turns into bronchitis is an example of the balance and interconnectedness of yin and yang. Someone who initially comes down with a cold might start off a little achy, with perhaps a slight increase in body temperature and a scratchy throat. If left untreated and without rest, the fever rises; maybe there will be alternate chills and fever. The fever becomes higher and higher, and sweating occurs. All symptoms will become worse. The scratchy throat becomes a severe sore throat; a cough with yellow or green phlegm develops. Eventually the high fever can turn into severe chills. No matter how many blankets you have to cover you, you’re freezing. Eventually symptoms improve, with everything going in the reverse order from which it started. Severe chills, then a fever that goes down. Phlegm goes from green to yellow to white. Aches and coughing become less intense. Eventually you’re back to normal. Yin and yang are balanced.

The main source of yin and yang is the kidneys. If the kidneys are weak, yin and/or yang will more than likely be insufficient for the entire body. They can be increased and nourished through proper treatment and lifestyle changes. Modern living weakens the kidneys. Excessive work, not enough sleep, stress, poor eating habits, medications, drugs, and alcohol—they all have an effect on the health of the kidneys and how much yin and yang they can make and store. As I’ve pointed out with other modern medical “discoveries,” TCM was able to connect the dots centuries before anything else. Another prime example is that the adrenal glands, which are in charge of our response to stress, are considered one organ with the kidneys, and the kidneys in TCM are weakened by stress.

Not having enough yin or yang can manifest in so many ways. Here are a few examples.

Lungs. Smoking depletes the yin of the lungs, which can lead to a hacking, dry cough. A dry cough that just won’t go away after you’ve had the flu can result from the depletion of yin in your lungs. Without enough yin in your lungs, you might have a hard time crying or processing grief.

Stomach. Have you ever been totally starving but couldn’t think of what to eat? You stare into the fridge and nothing looks good, not even your favorite guacamole or coconut milk ice cream. This may indicate a lack of yin in your stomach. This may manifest as obsessive thinking, even to the point of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Kidneys. Ah, the glories of menopause. Not every woman experiences the joys of night sweats and hot flashes, but those who do probably need to nourish the yin in their kidneys. Do you tend to feel cold and sense weak knees or low back pain? Feel anxious a lot? Then you probably need to nourish the yang of your kidneys.

Spleen. Hopefully, this has never happened to you, but some people experience diarrhea on a daily basis. TCM points not to an infection, food allergies, or a parasite, but to a deficiency of yang in the spleen. Being a worrywart or overthinker can also be a sign of a weak spleen.

Heart. Heart symptoms are most likely to show up as what we know as heart issues, such as heart disease, heart attacks, and irregular heartbeat. But this isn’t always the case. Not enough yang in the heart can lead to palpitations, angina, and sadness from, for example, a relationship breakup that just won’t lessen. Deficiency of yin in the heart can manifest as lupus, Types I and II diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.

Liver. The liver is charge of removing toxins from the body, and as such it is an organ that gets abused in the world we live into today. Most people have at least one symptom related to not enough yin in the liver, such as waking at 3 a.m.; dry nails, eyes, or throat; and constipation. Illnesses may include asthma, anemia, tremors, and liver cancer.

Stuart came to me with several yang deficiency symptoms. His chief complaint was low back pain. His lower back and glutes were cool to the touch. Stuart also felt cold unless it was over 80 degrees Fahrenheit; he just couldn’t get warm. He also had low energy and very slow metabolism. Stuart started to feel better immediately after adding yang-boosting or warming foods and getting acupuncture to increase his yang. His energy levels increased, and his pain went away in just a couple of weeks.

Now you know what the yin/yang symbol means. Their balance is key to a balanced life. Yin and yang are an indispensable part of TCM, and you can use this new knowledge and the information in Parts II and III to help pick the right foods for whatever ails you.