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, addison's disease is sometimes associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency, 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 addison's disease might be caused by the pattern Kidney Yang Deficiency, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from addison's disease alone. Indeed if addison's disease is caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, cold in the lower extremities, impotence and spermatorrhea.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Kidney Yang Deficiency so that you can have a better understanding of where addison's disease 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 three formulas that can help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Asthma Dysuria Coughing Impotence Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Persistent diarrhea Prostatic hypertrophy Spasms of the lower abdomen Cold in the lower extremities Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Addison's disease might be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, cold in the lower extremities, impotence and spermatorrhea.
The top herbs in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan are Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Yam (Shan Yao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with addison's disease. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shen Qi Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with addison's disease. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Yi Guan Jian are Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) and Glehnia Roots (Bei Sha Shen)
Source date: 1770
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Spreads the Liver Qi .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with addison's disease. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Soreness and weakness in the lower back Cold in the lower extremities Impotence Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Prostatic hypertrophy Coughing Asthma Persistent diarrhea Dysuria