Yin Deficiency in Autoimmune Diseases

"Yin Deficiency plays a central role in autoimmune diseases. Specifically, a deficiency of Yin affects cells negatively and may lead to tissue degeneration, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and Qi and Yang deficiency, as well as stasis of Blood and the body's greater susceptibility to pathogens. (please see earlier posts about syndrome differentiation in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).

To maintain effective immunity, good health, and normal physiological function, a person must have healthy reserves of Yin, which must be in harmony with Yang, as Yin and Yang are always in a state of dynamic flux. Yin refers to formed substances, such as organs, tissues, cells and body fluids, that is, visible and measurable things. Yang refers to the physiological function of visible things, such as the ability of hydrochloric acid and enzymes to digest food in the stomach or the function of thyroxine in regulating metabolism. Physiological function is based on substance. Without substance, there would be no source for function. Without physiological function, substance exists as nothing more than an inanimate entity. If Yin and Yang separate from each other within the body and become incapable of aiding or assisting one another, life ends. "  Wanzhu Hou, et al, Treating Autoimmune Diseases with Chinese Medicine.