Supplementing yáng

A method of treatment used to address yáng vacuity, which is characterized by aversion to cold, cold extremities, aching and limpness of the lumbus and knees, impotence, seminal efflux, long voidings of copious clear urine, a pale tongue, and a sunken weak pulse.

Medicinal therapy: The medicinals used warm and supplement kidney yáng such as: curculigo (Curculiginis Rhizoma, 仙茅 xiān máo), epimedium (Epimedii Herba, 淫羊藿 yín yáng huò), deerhorn (Cervi Cornu, 鹿角 lù jiǎo), and cistanche (Cistanches Herba, 肉苁蓉 ròu cōng róng). Fire-invigorating medicinals such as aconite (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, 附子 fù zǐ) and cinnamon bark (Cinnamomi Cortex, 肉桂 ròu guì) may be added where cold signs are especially pronounced, but if used over extended periods, must be complemented by medicinals that nourish kidney essence. Cinnamon Bark and Aconite Eight-Ingredient Pill (桂附八味丸 guì fù bā wèi wán) and Right-Restoring [Life Gate] Pill (右归丸 yòu guī wán), both of which supplement yáng and invigorate the body fire. With the addition of medicinals that nourish kidney essence, Right-Restoring [Life Gate] Pill (右归丸 yòu guī wán) supplements yáng while supporting yīn.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on KI, GV, and BL. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén), KI-7 (Recover Flow, 复溜 fù liū), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), and CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán); needle with supplementation and add moxa.

Point selection according to signs: For aching and limpness of the lumbus and knees, add GV-3 (Lumbar Yáng Pass, 腰阳关 yāo yáng guān), BL-40 (Bend Center, 委中 wěi zhōng), and GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán). For impotence, add SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo). For seminal efflux, add BL-52 (Will Chamber, 志室 zhì shì), and ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ). For long voidings of copious clear urine, add BL-28 (Bladder Transport, 膀胱俞 páng guāng shù), and CV-3 (Central Pole, 中极 zhōng jí).

See supplementation.