According to Chinese medical theory, night sweats are associated with a Yin Deficiency. The diminished state is due to a depletion of body fluids and nutrients. Symptoms include flushed cheeks, warm palms and soles, a dry mouth, red lips, small quantities of dark urine, a red tongue with slight coating, a weak and rapid pulse, and low-grade fevers. Chinese medicine states that if there is a wasting away caused by a consumptive disease, then yin deficiency must be present.

There are many lifestyle habits that lead to Yin Deficiency over the span of a life. Imagine that abundant and healthy Yin in the body looks like a healthy baby; a baby shows that it is abundant in Blood and has soft skin and vibrant hair. Imagine an elderly person with dry pallor skin representing Yin Deficiency. As we age it is important to stay moist and juicy with abundant Yin and Blood to maintain our vitality. Becoming dry and brittle would be the opposite of youth and vibrancy.

Lifestyle patterns and the environment begin to consume Yin and Blood over the years. Lifestyle patterns that consume Yin include chronic dehydration, consumption of sodas or alcohol, consumption of overly salty foods, smoking, and pharmaceuticals; over exposure to the sun, radiation, dry conditions, and pollution also deplete Kidney Yin. Stress and other emotional strains can lead to Yin depletion; chronic stress leading to adrenal fatigue and cortisol depletion is a prime example of stress leading to Kidney Yin Deficiency.