Urinary Tract Infectionaccording to TCM
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Symptom family: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammations
Sub-symptom(s): Acute Urinary Tract Infection
Did you mean? Urethritis
What is Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection, commonly referred to as a UTI, is an infection that can affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. Symptoms can range from a persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, to cloudy or strong-smelling urine. If left untreated, a UTI can have serious consequences.
How Does TCM View Urinary Tract Infection?
In the framework of TCM, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is seen as a disruption of the body's natural harmony and balance. A 'pattern' in TCM is a diagnostic profile that encapsulates a patient's signs and symptoms, along with the state of their vital energy, or Qi.
It's a complex constellation that reflects an individual's overall health condition. Identifying this pattern is crucial in TCM, as it directs the practitioner to the underlying causes of symptoms, such as a UTI, and informs a tailored treatment plan. Understanding the pattern is fundamental—it's the key that unlocks an effective healing strategy, ensuring that treatment goes beyond symptoms to address the root of the ailment.
Causes of UTI According to TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the causes of urinary tract infections are often linked several patterns such as Toxic-Heat or Deficiencies in the Kidney's Yin and Yang. Toxic-Heat reflects an accumulation of Heat and Toxins in the urinary tract, leading to symptoms like burning urination and urgency.
Kidney Yin Deficiency may present as a Dryness and Heat sensation, while Kidney Yang Deficiency could manifest in coldness, fatigue, and a pale complexion. These patterns denote imbalances that disrupt the body's vital processes, including the urinary system's functions. Addressing these specific imbalances is central to TCM's treatment approach, aimed at restoring the delicate balance of Yin and Yang, and clearing Heat to alleviate the infection.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Urinary Tract Infection
For the treatment of UTIs characterized by Toxic-Heat, TCM practitioners often turn to Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, which includes Goldthread Rhizomes to purge the heat and toxins effectively. When a UTI is rooted in Kidney Yin and Yang Deficiency, formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for Yin Deficiency and Er Xian Tang for Yang Deficiency are recommended.
These formulas contain herbs that nourish and balance the Kidney's Yin and Yang energies, helping to restore the organ's functions and resolve the UTI. Each herbal prescription is tailored to the individual's TCM pattern to ensure the most effective treatment.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address urinary tract infection, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that vent membrane source
- Formulas that tonify yin and yang
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Urinary tract infection can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity if it arises from heat toxins affecting the body.
One such formula is Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity" recommended for urinary tract infection
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang | Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) |
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) |
Formulas that vent membrane source
Urinary tract infection 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 tonify Yin and Yang
Urinary tract infection can be treated by these formulas if it stems from a deficiency in both Yin and Yang energies, necessitating a balanced approach to tonification.
One such formula is Er Xian Tang, with curculigo rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Urinary tract infection 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 Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Urinary tract infection can be treated by formulas that clear external abscesses and sores if it is due to localized infections or inflammations on the skin.
One such formula is Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Urinary Tract Infection
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address urinary tract infection, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Cool herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
Herbs that drain Dampness
Urinary tract infection 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 Akebia Stems (Mu Tong), which is directly recommended for urinary tract infection.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for urinary tract infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) | Not applicable |
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Not applicable |
| Common Rush (Deng Xin Cao) | Not applicable |
| Gold Coin Herb (Jin Qian Cao) | Not applicable |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Not applicable |
| Mallow Seeds (Dong Kui Zi) | Not applicable |
| Plantain Seeds (Che Qian Zi) | Not applicable |
| Pyrrosia Leaves (Shi Wei) | Not applicable |
| Stachyurus Stem Piths (Xiao Tong Cao) | Not applicable |
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Not applicable |
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Not applicable |
| Kochia Fruits (Di Fu Zi) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Urinary tract infection can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urinary tract infection, like Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for urinary tract infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) | Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin |
| Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) | Not applicable |
| Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao) | Not applicable |
| Smilax Glabra Roots (Tu Fu Ling) | Not applicable |
| Andrographis Herbs (Chuan Xin Lian) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection, like Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for urinary tract infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) | Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang |
| Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo) | Not applicable |
| Sophora Roots (Ku Shen) | Not applicable |
| Swallow-Wort Roots (Bai Wei) | Not applicable |
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Urinary tract infection 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 Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urinary tract infection, like Er Xian Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency" recommended for urinary tract infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao) | Er Xian Tang |
| Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) | Er Xian Tang |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Urinary tract infection 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 Climbing Groundsel Herbs (Qian Li Guang), which is directly recommended for urinary tract infection.
Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Urinary tract infection can be treated by these herbs when it is related to heat-phlegm accumulation, aiding in dissolving phlegm and soothing the respiratory system.
One such herb is Costazia Skeletons (Fu Hai Shi), which is directly recommended for urinary tract infection.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Urinary tract infection 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 Cyathula Roots (Chuan Niu Xi), which is directly recommended for urinary tract infection.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.