---

Yin Excess in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

Excessive YIN in Chinese philosophy is basically about illnesses causing you to be too cold, too moist and too stuck in reaction to a particular environment you’re being exposed to. Check out this blog to learn more about what causes excessive yin in the body and what diseases can be triggered by it. In summary,

Signs and Symptoms:

• Cold Sensation: Feeling excessively cold, especially in the limbs.
• Dampness: Edema, heavy limbs.
• Phlegm Accumulation: Chest congestion, coughing with white phlegm.

Causes:

• Excessive Yin-Inducing Factors: Cold, damp weather.
• Dietary Factors: Overconsumption of cold or raw foods. 

There are the top 5 ways to add more warmth into your diet:

1. Incorporate Spicy Condiments:
   • Add hot sauces, sriracha, or chili paste to your meals. These condiments not only add a kick of heat but also enhance flavor.
2. Opt for Warming Spices:
   • Use spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and turmeric in your cooking. These spices have warming properties that can help balance the cold nature of raw foods.
3. Choose Cooked and Warm Foods:
   • Shift towards cooked meals, incorporating warm grains like quinoa and brown rice. Cooked vegetables and soups are also excellent choices.
4. Include Heating Proteins:
   • Introduce protein sources that provide warmth, such as lean meats, poultry, and legumes. These proteins contribute to a sense of internal warmth.
5. Add in Root Vegetables:
   • Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets have a naturally warming effect. Roast or steam them to enhance their heat-inducing properties.

Chinese Medicine has some treatments to help with too much yin or cold, phlegm or damp excess in the body. Here are some examples.

If you’re looking for over-the-counter herbal remedies to address excess cold in the body, several options from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other herbal traditions may be beneficial. Keep in mind that it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new herbal regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Here are some herbs commonly used to address excess cold:

1. Ginger (Sheng Jiang):
   • Properties: Warming
   • Uses: Ginger is known for its warming properties, and it can help improve circulation, alleviate cold symptoms, and support digestion.
2. Cinnamon (Rou Gui):
   • Properties: Hot
   • Uses: Cinnamon is a warming herb that may help improve circulation, warm the body, and alleviate cold sensations.
3. Garlic (Da Suan):
   • Properties: Hot
   • Uses: Garlic has natural warming properties and is often used to support the immune system and promote overall warmth in the body.
4. Cayenne Pepper:
   • Properties: Hot
   • Uses: Cayenne is a spicy herb that can promote circulation, improve warmth, and support the respiratory system.
5. Angelica Root (Dang Gui):
   • Properties: Warming
   • Uses: Angelica root is commonly used in TCM to tonify and invigorate the blood, providing warmth to the body.
6. Chinese Dates (Hong Zao):
   • Properties: Warming
   • Uses: Chinese dates are often used in TCM to tonify Qi (vital energy) and blood, promoting overall warmth.
7. Astragalus Root (Huang Qi):
   • Properties: Neutral to Slightly Warm
   • Uses: Astragalus is an adaptogenic herb that may help support the immune system and promote balance in the body.
8. Turmeric:
   • Properties: Warming
   • Uses: Turmeric contains curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and warming properties, which may help balance excess cold.

TCM Complex Herbal Formulas:

1. Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan (Aurantium Immaturus and Evodia Combination):
   • Clears excess Yin and dampness.
   • Warms the body.
2. Ma Zi Ren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill):
   • Addresses excess cold causing abdominal bloating and stagnation.
   • Promotes bowel movements.

Acupuncture Points:

• BL13 (Feishu): Clears excess Yin from the lungs.
• SP9 (Yinlingquan): Regulates water metabolism.
• BL60 & KD2: warms up the water channels
• Moxa on the lower back

Dietary Recommendations as stated previously:

• Emphasize warming foods: ginger, cinnamon, and garlic.
• Limit raw and cold foods: melon, raw veggies, ice cream, iced drinks, salad.

Learning to balance cold and hot foods can help your digestive system function more efficiently, and help you avoid common hot and cold type diseases.