Urolithiasis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different urolithiasis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Urolithiasis refers to the formation of stones, known as calculi, in any part of the urinary system. Stones can form in the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra, causing pain, obstruction, and other complications. These calculi are typically composed of minerals and acid salts and can range widely in size. Symptoms may include intense pain, hematuria, and nausea. Urolithiasis often requires medical intervention to remove or break down the stones, especially if they obstruct urinary flow or cause recurrent infections.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches urolithiasis not as an isolated condition but as a sign of systemic imbalance. TCM theory posits that symptoms arise from disharmonious patterns within the body's energy system.
Urolithiasis, in TCM, is often associated with stagnation and accumulation, such as Damp-Heat in the urinary tract, leading to the crystallization of minerals. Treatment focuses on restoring balance, enhancing flow, and dissolving stagnation, which differs markedly from the surgical and pharmacological approaches of Western medicine.
TCM Patterns for Urolithiasis
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause urolithiasis
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Diagnostic signs
Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formulas
Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Thick sticky yellow coating on the root with red spots.
Recommended herbal formulas
Summer-Heat
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Red in the front or sides with a white sticky coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Urolithiasis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address urolithiasis