Diabetesaccording to TCM

Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Diabetes 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 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat

Diabetes 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 Bai Hu Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by a deficiency in the body's essence, leading to symptoms like involuntary urination.

One such formula is Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan, with milkvetch seeds as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Diabetes 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 Yu Nu Jian, with gypsum as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that vent membrane source

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas if it results from blockages in the body, often manifested as masses or lumps, needing actions that open and resolve these obstructions.

One such formula is Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.

Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas if it is due to external pathogens combined with internal accumulation, needing actions that address both aspects.

One such formula is Da Chai Hu Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.

Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Diabetes 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 Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan, with rhubarb as a key herb.

Formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas if it is due to an imbalance where yin deficiency leads to a false heat syndrome.

One such formula is Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang, with dong quai as a key herb.

Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas when it arises from external pathogenic factors affecting the body's surface, coupled with internal disharmony.

One such formula is Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.

Formulas that enrich Yin and moisten Dryness

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas when it is due to a deficiency in Yin leading to dryness, calling for nourishing Yin and moistening actions.

One such formula is Mai Men Dong Tang, with dwarf lilyturf root as a key herb.

Formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas when caused by dryness that impairs the body's moisture balance, necessitating herbs that moisten and alleviate dryness.

One such formula is Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang, with glehnia root as a key herb.

Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and preserve Body Fluids

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas when it is due to summer heat that also depletes or harms the body fluids, necessitating treatments that cool and nourish the body's fluids.

One such formula is Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.

Formulas that tonify Qi

Diabetes can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.

One such formula is Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, with ginseng as a key herb.

Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Diabetes 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.

Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.

One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.

One such herb is Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Mai Men Dong Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.

One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior

Diabetes 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 diabetes, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that drain Dampness

Diabetes 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 Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that stabilize and bind

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.

One such herb is Praying Mantis Egg-Cases (Sang Piao Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Sang Piao Xiao San.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that cool the Blood

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.

One such herb is Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

Diabetes 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 diabetes, like Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that expel parasites

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs if it arises from parasitic infections, utilizing their properties to eliminate parasites from the body.

One such herb is Pumpkin Seeds (Nan Gua Zi), which is directly recommended for diabetes.

Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat

Diabetes 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 Gypsum (Shi Gao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Bai Hu Tang.

Purgative herbs that drain downward

Diabetes 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 diabetes, like Da Chai Hu Tang.

Herbs that invigorate the Blood

Diabetes 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 Ground Beetles (Tu Bie Chong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.

Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency

Diabetes can be treated by these herbs in situations of diminished Yang energy, aiming to warm and activate the body's functions.

One such herb is Milkvetch Seeds (Sha Yuan Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan.

Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness

Diabetes 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 Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian), a key herb in some formulas recommended for diabetes, like Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang.

Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold

Diabetes 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 diabetes, like Shen Qi Wan.