Spleen yīn vacuity

Also spleen-stomach yīn vacuity. The manifestation of the spleen failing to distribute essence. The spleen and stomach are the root of later heaven. The whole of the body relies on the spleen’s function of distributing essence. Since essence is distributed by splenic movement and transformation, spleen yīn vacuity is actually dual vacuity of spleen qì and yīn. It most often results from enduring illness or from wear on the yīn humor of the stomach and spleen in febrile disease. The nondistribution of essence is reflected in emaciation. Spleen qì vacuity due to splenic movement and transformation failure may be reflected on the one hand in fatigue and lack of strength, and on the other in abdominal distension and sloppy stool. Insufficiency of stomach yīn, which may be a cause or result of spleen yīn vacuity, leads to failure of harmony and downbearing and, in severe cases, to counterflow ascent; hence there is hunger with no desire for food and drink, torpid intake, or dry retching and hiccup. In spleen yīn vacuity, yīn may fail to restrain yáng, causing vacuity heat signs such as dry mouth and tongue, and red tongue with scant fur.

Medicinal therapy: Supplement qì and fortify the spleen; boost the stomach and nourish yīn. Use Ginseng, Poria, and White Atractylodes Powder (参苓白朮散 shēn líng bái zhú sǎn) plus dendrobium (Dendrobii Herba, 石斛 shí hú), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Radix, 麦门冬 mài mén dōng), and adenophora/glehnia (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix, 沙参 shā shēn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, SP, and ST. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate, 章门 zhāng mén), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi); needle with supplementation.