Prostatitisaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammations, Prostate issues
Sub-symptom(s): Chronic Prostatitis Acute Prostatitis
What is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. This condition can manifest as acute prostatitis, which appears suddenly and lasts for a short duration, or chronic prostatitis, which persists for a longer period.
Symptoms can range from pain and difficulty during urination to more generalized symptoms such as pelvic pain and flu-like symptoms in acute cases. Prostatitis requires a nuanced approach to treatment, given its potential to significantly affect quality of life.
How Does TCM View Prostatitis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conceptualizes prostatitis not simply as an inflammation localized to the prostate but as an indication of imbalance within the broader context of the body's energetic system.
TCM posits that symptoms arise when the body's natural harmony is disrupted by patterns of disharmony such as Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner or Qi Stagnation affecting the prostate. Recognizing these patterns is fundamental in TCM, directing practitioners to treatments that address the specific energetic imbalances at play.
Causes of Prostatitis According to TCM
TCM suggests that prostatitis can be caused by various patterns, but particularly by Damp-Heat accumulating in the lower burner or by Blood Stagnation in the pelvic area. Damp-Heat can cause symptoms such as painful urination and urinary urgency, while Blood Stagnation can lead to sharp pain and contribute to chronic discomfort.
Understanding and addressing these underlying patterns are essential in TCM, allowing for treatments that not only alleviate symptoms but also restore the body’s proper energy flow and balance.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Prostatitis
To treat prostatitis, TCM practitioners may recommend formulas that clear Heat and expel Dampness or that invigorate Blood and dispel Stagnation. Ba Zheng San, known for its properties to clear Damp-Heat from the Bladder, is often prescribed for its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and urinary symptoms.
For cases with underlying Blood Stagnation, Tao He Cheng Qi Tang with Peach Kernels can be used to activate blood circulation and clear stagnation. Additionally, Zhi Zi Chi Tang is used to clear Heat in chest, addressing the Heat aspect of Damp-Heat that can exacerbate prostatitis symptoms. These formulas are chosen based on a patient’s specific TCM diagnosis to ensure a targeted and holistic approach to healing.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address prostatitis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
- Formulas that secure essence and stop enuresis
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Prostatitis 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.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for prostatitis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Tao He Cheng Qi Tang | Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang) |
| Di Dang Tang | Leeches (Shui Zhi), Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) |
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Prostatitis 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.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Prostatitis 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.
Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold
Prostatitis can be treated by these formulas if it results from cold obstructing the meridians, leading to pain or stiffness, requiring warming and dispersing actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis
Prostatitis 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.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Prostatitis 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 Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin, with lotus seeds as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Prostatitis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address prostatitis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
Herbs that drain Dampness
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Ba Zheng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for prostatitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |
| Japanese Climbing Fern Spores (Hai Jin Sha) | Not applicable |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for prostatitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
| Leeches (Shui Zhi) | Di Dang Tang |
| Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) | Di Dang Tang |
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Zhi Zi Chi Tang.
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Prostatitis 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 Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for prostatitis, like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang.
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Prostatitis 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 prostatitis, like Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Prostatitis 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 Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for prostatitis, like Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin.