Cystitisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammations
Sub-symptom(s): Acute Cystitis
What is Cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder often caused by a bacterial infection. It's a form of urinary tract infection that can result in discomfort and symptoms such as a frequent, urgent need to urinate, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.
While it can affect individuals of any age or sex, it is more common in women. If left untreated, cystitis can lead to serious health complications, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.
How Does TCM View Cystitis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers cystitis as a disruption of the body's natural harmony and balance. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the infection, TCM looks at cystitis as a symptom caused by various patterns of disharmony such as Damp-Heat in the Bladder or Blood Stagnation.
The goal of TCM is to identify and correct the specific pattern affecting the individual, thereby alleviating the symptom through restoring the body’s energetic equilibrium.
Causes of Cystitis According to TCM
In the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, cystitis is often attributed to pathogenic factors such as Damp-Heat in the Bladder or Blood Stagnation in the lower abdomen. Damp-Heat can accumulate in the Bladder due to factors like dietary imbalances, environmental humidity, or a general imbalance in the body’s Yin and Yang. This leads to symptoms like burning urination and frequent urges to void.
Blood Stagnation, on the other hand, can be due to injury or chronic internal imbalances, and it may manifest as dark, cloudy urine or pain in the pelvic region. Addressing these specific causes is fundamental in TCM, as it informs the direction of treatment to not just alleviate symptoms but also to resolve the underlying energetic disharmony.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Cystitis
To address cystitis, TCM turns to formulas that can move and rebalance the body’s energies. For Damp-Heat in the Bladder, a formula like Ba Zheng San, which includes Qu Mai, is typically used to clear Heat and promote diuresis.
For patterns involving Blood Stagnation, herbs that invigorate Blood and break up Stasis may be employed, such as those found in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang. This formula, with Peach Kernels, works to alleviate the stasis and clear Heat, which can be fundamental in resolving pain and promoting the free flow of urine. The individual's presenting pattern guides the precise choice of formula, ensuring that the treatment is customized and effective.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address cystitis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of dampness
- Formulas that warm yang and tonify
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Cystitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Ba Zheng San, with chinese pink herb as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness" recommended for cystitis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ba Zheng San | Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai), Knotgrass (Bian Xu) |
| Shi Wei San | |
| Wu Lin San | Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) |
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Dao Chi San, with akebia stem as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for cystitis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Dao Chi San | Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) |
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a deficiency in Yin energy, needing nourishment and strengthening of the body's vital essence.
One such formula is Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas when the symptom is caused by summer heat combined with dampness accumulation, requiring actions that both cool and resolve dampness.
One such formula is Liu Yi San, with talc as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from a depletion of Yang energy, requiring actions that warm and strengthen Yang.
One such formula is Shen Qi Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Wu Ling San, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Cystitis can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Zhi Zi Chi Tang, with cape jasmine fruit as a key herb.
Acupoints for Cystitis
In TCM, acupuncture is utilized as an adjunctive therapy for cystitis, with specific acupoints chosen based on the diagnosed pattern. For Damp-Heat in the Bladder, points that clear Heat and promote fluid metabolism, such as Shuiquan KID-5, are selected.
For patterns of Blood Stagnation, points that stimulate blood flow and alleviate pain, such as Zulingqi GB-41, are targeted. Each acupoint serves a strategic purpose in the treatment plan, helping to address the pattern of disharmony contributing to the symptoms of cystitis and aiding the body’s return to a state of balance.
Explore below some acupoints used to address cystitis, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Kidney Channel
- Gall Bladder Channel
- Bladder Channel
Shuiquan KID-5
1 cun directly below Taixi KID-3, in the depression over the joint space between the talus and calcaneus.
Zulingqi GB-41
In the depression distal to the junction of the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones, on the lateral side of the tendon of extensor digitorum longus muscle of the foot.
Zutonggu BL-66
In the depression distal and inferior to the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint, at the lateral border of the foot.
TCM Herbs for Cystitis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address cystitis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
Herbs that drain Dampness
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Ba Zheng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for cystitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |
| Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) | Dao Chi San |
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Liu Yi San |
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wu Ling San |
| Japanese Climbing Fern Spores (Hai Jin Sha) | Not applicable |
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Shen Qi Wan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Shen Qi Wan.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Wu Lin San.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Cystitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cystitis, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.