Have you ever experienced this situation? You drink a lot of water every day, yet you still feel extremely dry in your mouth, and the frequency of going to the restroom has increased? Why is this? Actually, this involves the profound knowledge of yin deficiency and yang deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and drinking water cannot solve the fundamental issue!

Let’s first talk about yin deficiency thirst

Many friends have experienced this: gulping down cold water from a large cup on a hot summer day, only to feel thirsty again the moment they put the cup down; waking up thirsty in the middle of the night; or feeling their throat parched and dry as smoke upon waking in the morning. When they stick out their tongue, they see it appears red with a thin, almost invisible coating. Why does this happen? Actually, it’s not water the body lacks but what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls "body fluids"!

Body fluids act like a natural moisturizer in the body, balancing yang qi. Once body fluids are insufficient, yang qi starts causing trouble, leading to symptoms like irritability, heat in the palms and soles, and night sweats. Some people may also experience palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, or yellow-colored urine. To improve this condition, one can drink water steeped with Mai Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Yu Zhu (Polygonatum odoratum). If symptoms are severe, under the guidance of a doctor, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan can be taken to help replenish body fluids and reduce deficient heat.

Now let’s talk about thirst due to yang deficiency.

People with yang deficiency also often feel thirsty, but unlike those with yin deficiency, they prefer drinking warm water, which makes them feel more comfortable. This is like when the heating at home is insufficient, and the water in the pipes can’t circulate properly. With insufficient yang qi, the body’s fluids cannot metabolize normally, and fluids fail to reach the mouth, naturally leading to thirst.

Such individuals usually feel cold easily, with hands and feet that are perpetually cold like ice cubes year-round, have poor appetite, lack energy throughout the day, experience a cold lower abdomen, and are prone to frequent urination and excessive nighttime urination, among other symptoms. To regulate and improve these conditions, it is essential to focus on supplementing yang energy. One may consider trying Jisheng Shenqi Wan or Jingui Shenqi Wan to help replenish the body's yang energy, thereby restoring normal fluid metabolism.

The content of this article is intended for educational purposes only. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes personalized treatment, where each individual's constitution is unique and requires tailored adjustment methods. If you often feel unbearably thirsty or exhibit noticeable symptoms as mentioned above, do not self-prescribe medications. Be sure to consult a professional doctor!