Is sweaty palms due to yin deficiency or yang deficiency?

Many people experience sweating during summer. In winter—when the weather is clearly not hot—their palms frequently sweat, while other parts of the body remain relatively dry. This can be quite embarrassing. In fact, palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive hand sweating) stems from underlying health issues, possibly due to kidney deficiency or blood deficiency. So, is sweaty palms caused by yin deficiency or yang deficiency?

Is Palmar Sweating Due to Yin Deficiency or Yang Deficiency?

Both yin deficiency and yang deficiency can cause excessive palm sweating. Occasionally, qi deficiency and psychological factors may also contribute. Qi deficiency impairs the body’s ability to secure and retain essence and fluids; consequently, body fluids (jin-ye) may leak outward, resulting in spontaneous sweating. Yin deficiency generates internal heat, which forces fluids outward, leading to symptoms such as five-center heat (heat sensation in the palms, soles, and chest), tidal fever, and sweating. Yang deficiency compromises the stability of defensive qi (wei-qi), causing wei-yang to float outward and thereby triggering spontaneous sweating. Patients should consult a local Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner for pattern identification (bian zheng) and receive targeted herbal treatment accordingly. For qi deficiency, Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) is commonly prescribed orally; for yin deficiency, Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill); and for yang deficiency, Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Aconite Combination with Rehmannia).

Individuals who frequently experience sweaty palms often have constitutional and endocrine-related predispositions. In healthy individuals, perspiration is evenly distributed across the body, so the palms should remain dry. Yet those with chronic palmar sweating typically exhibit little to no sweating elsewhere on the body. At such times, their palms may feel cool or even cold, and some individuals sweat profusely—even in winter. This suggests underlying constitutional weakness and coldness, often accompanied by cold intolerance. Such cases are generally attributed to endocrine imbalance and poor physical constitution.

Patients are advised to consume more warming and nourishing foods to regulate bodily functions and engage in appropriate physical exercise. We hope this information proves helpful.