During what condition are yin levels said to be low while yang levels remain normal?

The concept of yin and yang is central to understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its diagnostic principles. In TCM, yin represents aspects such as cold, darkness, rest, and substance, while yang is associated with heat, light, activity, and function.

In the context of your question, the condition where yin levels are considered low while yang levels remain normal aligns with "deficient/false heat." This condition is characterized by symptoms that may present as heat, such as warmth or restlessness, despite the underlying deficiency of yin, which manifests as dry, overheating tendencies without the external manifestation of excess yang. The insufficient yin fails to nourish and cool the body adequately, leading to signs of so-called false heat.

For example, a person may experience symptoms such as a rapid pulse, dry mouth, and a sensation of internal heat, but upon evaluation, it is clear that this is not due to an actual excess of yang, but rather because yin is not sufficiently available to counterbalance yang's natural role in the body. Therefore, understanding this condition in terms of yin deficiency helps to navigate the required treatment approaches, which aim to enrich yin and balance the body's overall energy dynamics.

This condition is distinct from the other scenarios mentioned, where