Obesity - Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Obesity · Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat is a pattern in obesity, characterized by sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, leptin resistance, weight gain, irritability, and night sweats. The core pathogenesis is Yin deficiency failing to control Yang, leading to internal Heat, sympathetic activation, and metabolic dysregulation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Weight gain, irritability, night sweats, heat intolerance |

| Associated Symptoms | Dry mouth, thirst, heat in palms and soles, constipation |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with little coating, thready and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Yin deficiency with internal Heat, sympathetic overactivity |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic stress, spicy food intake, constitutional Yin deficiency |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |

| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |

| Zhaohai (KI6) | 1 cun below the medial malleolus | Nourishes Yin and clears deficiency heat |

| Neiting (ST44) | Between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones | Spring point of Stomach; clears Stomach Heat |

| Rangu (KI2) | Medial foot, below the navicular tuberosity | Spring point of Kidney; clears Kidney Heat |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method for Yin-nourishing points, reducing method for Heat-clearing points.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (知柏地黄丸)

Composition:

Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria (Fu Ling), Moutan (Mu Dan Pi), Alisma (Ze Xie)

Action: Nourishes Yin, clears deficiency heat, and regulates metabolism.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe night sweats | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior |

| Irritability | Add Zhi Zi, Dan Pi to clear deficiency heat |

| Dry mouth | Add Mai Dong, Tian Hua Fen to generate fluids |

| Constipation | Add Huo Ma Ren, Yu Li Ren to moisten the intestines |

Western Mechanism Reference

Sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity causing increased energy metabolism, leptin resistance, and reduced fat breakdown. Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat corresponds to obesity with sympathetic hyperactivity, where increased sympathetic tone and leptin resistance contribute to metabolic dysregulation.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Obesity with Yin Deficiency and Internal Heat.

  2. DB-TCMJB: Kidney-Yin Deficiency.

  3. WHO. (2023). Obesity fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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