The best herb for stomach Yin deficiency is which herb?

• A. Mai Men Dong
• B. Shi Hu
• C. Tian Men Dong
• D. Gou Qi Zi

Answer: (B)

Stomach Yin deficiency is marked by a lack of fluids in the stomach accompanied by dry, heat sensations, thirst, and a longing for cooling or soothing fluids. The herb that best addresses this pattern in the stomach is Shi Hu because it strongly nourishes Yin and specifically clears the deficient heat from the stomach, helping to restore the stomach’s fluids and relieve dryness and thirst. While other Yin-tonics like Mai Men Dong also nourish Yin and can moisten dryness, Shi Hu has a more targeted effect on nourishing the stomach’s Yin and cooling the stomach’s deficient heat, making it the preferred choice for this pattern. Gou Qi Zi and Tian Men Dong contribute to Yin nourishment as well, but they do not address the stomach dryness and heat as directly.