Leg Edema in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different leg edema patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Leg edema is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the lower extremities, leading to noticeable swelling and discomfort. This condition can be a symptom of various underlying health issues, ranging from chronic venous insufficiency to heart failure.
The terms such as "Oedema of legs" and "swelling in the legs" are often used interchangeably to describe this condition, underscoring the body's inability to properly manage fluid balance.
Traditional Chinese Medicine interprets leg edema as an imbalance in the body’s vital energies, specifically concerning the Kidney, Spleen, and Bladder meridians, which are believed to govern fluid metabolism. TCM practitioners view this condition as a manifestation of underlying disharmonies such as Yang Deficiency, or Phlegm accumulation.
Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptom management, TCM aims to identify and correct the root cause of the edema, restoring balance and promoting the body's natural healing processes.
TCM Patterns for Leg Edema
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Oedema of legs
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Oedema of legs
Along with: Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Watery ejaculate, Low sex drive, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Clear urination, Nocturia, Apathy, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distention, Desire to lie down
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Oedema of legs
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Phlegm
Causes: Oedema of legs
Oedema
Oedema of legs
Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema, Ocular swelling, Abdominal distention
Dampness
Causes: Oedema of legs
Oedema
Oedema of legs
Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema, Ocular swelling, Abdominal distention
Herbal Formulas for Leg Edema
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address leg edema
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Wu Ling San
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Diuretic, clears Excess fluid and removes edema
- Tonifies the Spleen Qi
- Calms External Wind
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Ping Wei San
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Wu Pi Yin
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Reduces edema, diuretic
- Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Zhen Wu Tang
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys
- Eliminates Dampness
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Yu Gong San
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels water and
- Reduces edema
- Unblocks the bowels
- Moves Qi
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Zhou Che Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes Qi movement
- Harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Oedema
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema...
Li Zhong Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face...
Huan Shao Dan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Spleen, Heart and Kidneys
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Augments Qi
- Tonifies Yang
- Promotes Longevity
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face...
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Ji Chuan Jian
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Nourishes the Blood
- Strengthens the Essence
- Moistens the Intestines
- Unblocks bowels
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these leg edema patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
- Facilitating pregnancy
- Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Addresses These Leg Edema Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Oedema of legs
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...