Dark Urine in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different dark urine patterns according to TCM theory

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10
TCM Patterns
66
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 10 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each dark urine pattern
Classical remedies 66 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches dark urine as a sign of underlying imbalances within the body's energy systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the symptom itself, TCM aims to identify and treat the root cause of the symptom.

Dark urine in TCM is usually seen as an indication of excess Heat or Dampness in the body, and the treatment strategy revolves around restoring balance and harmony to the affected organs and meridians.

TCM Patterns for Dark Urine

Heat

Causes: Dark Urine, Scanty and dark urine, Scanty dark urination

28 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Toxic-Heat
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule,

Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Damp-Heat in the Bladder
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Frequent and urgent urination, Urinary burning, Urination stopping in the middle of flow, Cloudy urine, Hematuria, Fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety,

Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face,

Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Feeling of heat, Irritability, Insomnia, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Fire Blazing
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Toxic-Heat Stagnation
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Restlessness, Insomnia, Tongue ulcers, Mouth ulcers, Throat pain, Deafness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Constipation, Mouth burning sensation, Anal burning, Dry stools, Dry tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine, Scanty dark urination

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Shortness of breath, Asthma, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty dark urination

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine, Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Bleeding between periods

Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Vulvar itching, Yellow vaginal discharge, Painful intercourse, Restlessness, Irritability, Insomnia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Excess-Heat
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Fever, Flushed face, Red skin eruptions, Mottled skin, Irritability, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Dull yellow complexion, Rheumatic fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Dark Urine, Scanty and dark urine, Scanty dark urination

11 variations documented
Damp-Heat in the Bladder
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Frequent and urgent urination, Urinary burning, Urination stopping in the middle of flow, Cloudy urine, Hematuria, Fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine, Scanty dark urination

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine, Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Vulvar itching, Yellow vaginal discharge, Painful intercourse, Restlessness, Irritability, Insomnia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Dull yellow complexion, Rheumatic fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Dark Urine, Scanty and dark urine, Scanty dark urination

6 variations documented
Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Feeling of heat, Irritability, Insomnia, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty dark urination

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty dark urination

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation,

Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty dark urination

Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy,

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night sweats, Back pain, Bleeding between periods

Wind

Causes: Dark Urine

4 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Dark Urine

2 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Mind Disturbance

Causes: Dark Urine

1 variation documented
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety,

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Dark Urine

1 variation documented
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Scanty and dark urine

1 variation documented
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty and dark urine

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Excess

Causes: Scanty dark urination

1 variation documented
Yang Excess or Full Yang
How it presents with dark urine

Scanty dark urination

Along with: Feeling of heat, Hyperactivity, Lack of sweating, Heat intolerance, Constipation

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Dark Urine

1 variation documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with dark urine

Dark Urine

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Dark Urine

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dark urine

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Dampness Wind Cold Summer Heat

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Zi Xue Dan

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Wind

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Dampness

Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Dampness Qi Deficiency

Liang Di Tang

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency

Liu Jun Zi Tang

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Dampness Qi Deficiency

Ba Zheng San

Addresses these dark urine patterns:

Heat Dampness