Acute cystitis according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, acute cystitis is sometimes associated with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's acute cystitis might be caused by the pattern Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from acute cystitis alone. Indeed if acute cystitis is caused by Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, patients also experience symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder so that you can have a better understanding of where acute cystitis might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a formula that can help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder.
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with acute cystitis
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Symptoms: Headaches Dizziness Irritability Short temper Red and sore eyes Painful urination Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Foul-smelling leukorrhea Bitter taste in the mouth Fixed pain in the hypochondria Shortened menstrual cycle in women Swollen and itchy external genitalia
Acute cystitis might be due to Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder here
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula that might help with acute cystitis
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with acute cystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a pattern sometimes associated with acute cystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to acute cystitis
Fixed pain in the hypochondria Headaches Dizziness Red and sore eyes Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Bitter taste in the mouth Irritability Short temper Painful urination
