Diabetes in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different diabetes patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
In TCM, diabetes is often associated with Yin Deficiency leading to Empty Heat, a condition where a lack of cooling, nourishing Body Fluids in the body causes symptoms akin to heat. Lung Yin Deficiency and Stomach Yin Deficiency are prime examples, presenting with excessive thirst, dry mouth, and a propensity for hot sensations.
Blood Stagnation and Liver Qi and Yin Deficiency may also contribute to the disease's complexity, reflecting the holistic nature of TCM diagnoses. These patterns highlight the intricate relationships between the body's energetic systems and their role in diabetes.
TCM Patterns for Diabetes
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Frequent urination, Milky urination, Urinary incontinence, Nocturnal emissions, Absent-mindedness, Forgetfulness, Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness
Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency
Frequent urination, Milky urination, Urinary incontinence, Nocturnal emissions, Absent-mindedness, Forgetfulness
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Causes: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Cold and weak knees, Sensation of cold in the lower back, Feeling of cold, Weak legs, Bright-white complexion, Fatigue, Lassitude, Oedema of legs, Infertility in women, Loose stools, Depression, Impotence, Premature ejaculation, Low sperm count, Decreased libido, Pale and abudant urination, Sore lower back, Constipation
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Cold and weak knees, Sensation of cold in the lower back, Feeling of cold, Weak legs, Bright-white complexion, Fatigue, Lassitude, Oedema of legs, Infertility in women, Loose stools, Depression, Impotence, Premature ejaculation, Low sperm count, Decreased libido, Pale and abudant urination, Sore lower back, Constipation
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Sweating, Back pain, Diminished hearing, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty dark urination, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Tiredness, Lassitude, Depression, Anxiety, Five palm heat, Feeling of heat in the evening, Malar flush, Menopausal hot flushes, Thirst with desire to drink in small sips, Evening anxiety, Dizziness, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurred vision, Floaters in eyes, Dry eyes, Diminished night vision, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Dull-pale complexion, Muscle weakness, Cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Dry skin, Feeling of aimlessness, Night sweats, Dream disturbed sleep, Afternoon fever, Hot palms and soles, Hoarse voice, Tickly throat, Aversion to speak, Thin chest, No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating, Tinnitus, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Dry throat, Dry vagina, Dry stools, Nocturnal emissions, Delayed period, Melasma
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Sweating, Back pain, Diminished hearing, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty dark urination, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Tiredness, Lassitude, Depression, Anxiety, Five palm heat, Feeling of heat in the evening, Malar flush, Menopausal hot flushes, Thirst with desire to drink in small sips, Evening anxiety
Liver Yin Deficiency
Dizziness, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurred vision, Floaters in eyes, Dry eyes, Diminished night vision, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Dull-pale complexion, Malar flush, Muscle weakness, Cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Dry skin, Depression, Feeling of aimlessness, Night sweats, Dream disturbed sleep, Afternoon fever, Hot palms and soles, Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Liver Yin Deficiency
Dizziness, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurred vision, Floaters in eyes, Dry eyes, Diminished night vision, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Dull-pale complexion, Malar flush, Muscle weakness, Cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Dry skin, Depression, Feeling of aimlessness, Night sweats, Dream disturbed sleep, Afternoon fever, Hot palms and soles, Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Lung Yin Deficiency
Hoarse voice, Tickly throat, Aversion to speak, Thin chest
Stomach Yin Deficiency
No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Diminished hearing, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurred vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Dry skin, Withered and brittle nails, Dry vagina, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emissions, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Delayed period, Infertility, Melasma
Herbal Formulas for Diabetes
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address diabetes
Bai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Clears Qi-level Heat
- Drains Stomach Fire
- Generates fluids
- Alleviates thirst
Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Removes Stagnation
- Warms the Interior
- Dispels Cold
Da Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Drains internal clumping due to Heat
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
- Generates new Blood
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Drains Fire
- Stabilizes the Exterior
- Stops sweating
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidneys
- Binds up the semen
Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Sang Piao Xiao San
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys
- Stabilizes the Essence
- Stops leakage
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness
Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Drains Heat
- Preserves Body Fluids
- Transforms Yin
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Strengthen the Stomach
- Creates Body Fluids
Yu Nu Jian
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Clears stomach Heat
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Yu Nu Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Drains heat from the Stomach
- Nourishes the Yin
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Generates Body Fluids
- Strengthens and regulates Qi
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Da Bu Yin Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Directs fire downward
Huan Shao Dan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Spleen, Heart and Kidneys
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Augments Qi
- Tonifies Yang
- Promotes Longevity
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for diabetes
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi