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The etiology of deficiency consumption (Xu Sun), regardless of whether it stems from excessive alcohol and sexual indulgence, physical fatigue and overwork, or emotional disturbances and dietary irregularities, can all lead to this condition. Among these, distinguishing between Yin and Yang is the most crucial. The manifestations of Yin deficiency include: fever with restlessness, redness of the head and face, dry lips and tongue, sore throat and mouth ulcers, hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed), hematochezia (blood in stool) and hematuria (blood in urine), dry and hard stools, and scanty, painful, and difficult urination. The manifestations of Yang deficiency include: aversion to cold, emaciation and exhaustion, shortness of breath, mental fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, abdominal pain, undigested food in stool (Sun Xie), and incontinence of both stool and urine. As for symptoms such as coughing with expectoration, seminal emission and night sweats, asthma and hoarseness, pain in bones and tendons, mental confusion, gradual wasting of muscles, dreams of sexual intercourse with spirits, and amenorrhea in women, these occur regardless of whether the syndrome is Yin or Yang; they are inevitable consequences when any disease progresses to a severe stage. However, the Kidney is the root of the five Zang organs, and Water is the source of Heavenly One (primordial essence). Therefore, in cases of deficiency consumption, the actual cause is almost always a deficiency of Kidney Water, accounting for eight or nine out of ten cases. This is because when Kidney Water is deficient, the Liver loses its nourishment, leading to dryness of Blood; when Kidney Water is deficient, Water fails to return to its source, leading to Phlegm arising from the Spleen; when Kidney Water is deficient, there is a lack of communication between the Heart and Kidney, leading to deterioration of spirit and complexion; when Kidney Water is deficient, Lung Qi is secretly damaged, leading to frequent coughing; and when Kidney Water is deficient, solitary Yang has no master, leading to blazing deficient fire. Mr. Jiezai stated: "If one indulges excessively in sexual activities, damaging Essence and Blood, one will inevitably develop diseases of Yin deficiency with moving fire." Mr. Danxi stated: "Most patients with deficiency suffer from Yin deficiency; how could the ancients deceive us!"

Yin deficiency often presents with heat signs because Water fails to control Fire, resulting in heat generated by Yin deficiency. To nourish Yin, only sweet, cool, pure, and tranquil substances should be used. Pungent and warm herbs must be strictly avoided, such as Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fu Zi (Aconite Root), Gu Zhi Bu (Bone Setter / Psoralea Fructus), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome), and Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber); these must absolutely not be used. Even herbs like Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Huang Qi (Astragalus Membranaceus Root), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), and Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed), which possess Yang properties within Yin, require careful consideration. This is because if Yang becomes vigorous, Yin is further consumed; if heat increases, Water becomes more depleted. However, since the heat of Yin deficiency stems from a deficiency of True Water, cold and cooling herbs should also not be used recklessly. In cases where Fire is so excessive that cooling treatment is unavoidable, formulas that strengthen Water should be combined; treatment should cease as soon as possible to prevent damage to healthy Qi. This constitutes the major principle of tonification and supplementation.

Night fevers, afternoon fevers, preference for cold drinks, and solid stools are all manifestations of Yin deficiency generating heat and Water failing to control Fire; Jia Jian Yi Yin Jian (Modified One-Yin Decoction) is appropriate. Palpitations and loss of mental clarity, caused by Fire affecting the Heart and Kidney, are treated with Er Yin Jian (Two-Yin Decoction). If external heat persists but internal heat is not significant, only Yin tonification is suitable, and clearing Fire is contraindicated; Yi Yin Jian (One-Yin Decoction) or Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) is appropriate.