Yin and Yang are the two interrelated forces which together with the concept of Qi form the foundation of eastern medicine. Yin and Yang are mutually exclusive and together form a whole which in balance constitutes a state of harmony and health and when out of balance indicates illness. From a medical perspective, the relationship between Yin and Yang form the general basis for all diagnoses and treatment protocols. A clinical example would be a person who has Liver Fire signs such as headaches, flushed face and anger. In this case the Yin Yang relationship may be 70% Yang and 30% Yin, leading to excessive Yang symptomology. The information below discusses the Yin Yang theory and clinical applications in detail.

Basics of Yin Yang Theory Yin Yang Relationships Pathology and Clinical Applications of Yin Yang Theory

Basics of Yin Yang Theory

Yin and Yang:
Are opposite qualities
Never exist in isolation: Everything contains both Yin and Yang
aspects, even extreme Yang contains the seed of Yin and vice
versa
Never exist in a static 50-50 balance: While a theoretical ideal, in
reality Yin and Yang are always in a dynamic relationship
Are always spoken of in relative terms: Antartica's climate is
more Yin than Alaska's and Mexico's climate is more Yang than
Ireland's
Are interdependent: One cannot exist without the other, they
can be distinguished but not separated
Are mutually consumptive: Extreme Yin (cold/wet) extinguishes
Yang (fire), extreme Yang (fire) burns up Yin (water)
Are mutually transformative: Extreme Yin ultimately transforms
into Yang and vice versa

Yin Yang Relationships

Yin and Yang Pathological Relationships

Yin	Yang
chronic conditions	acute conditions
fatigue/tiredness	insomnia
dampness	dryness
cold/cool	hot/warm
lethargic	restless
underactive	overactive
weak musculature	tight musculature
lack of thirst	thirst
pale	red
soft	hard
curled up	stretch out
pale tongue	red tongue
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empty pulse	full pulse

Yin and Yang Constitutional Relationships

Yin	Yang
introvert	extrovert
calm quiet environments	stimulating energizing environments
prefers rest and balance	prefers socializing
lower blood pressure	higher blood pressure

Yin and Yang Body Relationships

Yin	Yang
body	head
organs	surface
yin organs	yang organs
blood and fluids	qi
lower body	upper body
inside of limbs	outside of limbs
anterior	posterior

Yin and Yang Organ Relationships

Yin	Yang
solid	hollow
store pure essences, vital substances (qi, blood, shen, jing)	no storage - transform, digest and excrete impurities
yin organs	yang organs

Pathology and Clinical Applications of Yin Yang Theory

From a clinical perspective the theory of Yin and Yang is used to help determine the overriding factors involved in a particular condition. A condition is most likely to involve the Yin energies of the body if the problems are present or aggravated during the evening. Conditions such as insomnia and night sweats, for example, are often Yin related conditions. If the symptoms occur during the day, the condition is more likely to be related to the Yang energies of the body. Symptoms of Yang deficiency include fatique, weakness and lethar In accordance with the general principles of Yin Yang theory, there are four general patterns of disharmony.

Pattern	Symptoms
Excess Yin/Full Cold 60% Yin - 50% Yang, Full Excess Yin	Cold limbs, weakness, contracture, pain improved with heat, pale tongue, slow pulse
Excess Yang/Full Heat 60% Yang - 50% Yin, Full Excess Yang	Restlessness, headache, irritability, pain worse with pressure, red tongue, full pulse
Yin Deficiency/Empty Heat 50% Yang - 30% Yin, False Excess Yang	Signs of heat but arising from a deficiency of Yin, night sweats, heat in the 5 palms, insomnia, red tongue, thin and rapid pulse
Yang Deficiency/Empty Cold 50% Yin - 30% Yang, False Excess Yin	Signs of excess cold but arising from a deficiency of Yang, fatigue, weakness, pain which improves with heat and pressure, pale tongue, slow and weak pulse