Diabetes mellitus 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.
Diabetes mellitus factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Symptoms: Vertigo Tinnitus Night sweats and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Asthma Dysuria Coughing and eight other symptoms
Recommended formula: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
In Chinese Medicine, diabetes mellitus can be associated with three 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", as a matter of fact here diabetes mellitus can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's diabetes mellitus might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from diabetes mellitus alone. For instance when diabetes mellitus is caused by the pattern Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, lightheadedness, vertigo and tinnitus. Similarly, patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
We've listed below a description of the three patterns associated with diabetes mellitus so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities 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 seven formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with diabetes mellitus, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with diabetes mellitus
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Vertigo Tinnitus Night sweats Lightheadedness Diminished hearing Chronic sore throat Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Diabetes mellitus might be due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, lightheadedness, vertigo and tinnitus. Similarly, patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
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
Diabetes mellitus 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
Recommended herbal formula: Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Cramps Insomnia Dry eyes Dry skin Dry hair Dizziness Amenorrhea Depression Blurred vision Scanty periods Muscle weakness 'Floaters' in eyes Numbness in the limbs Feeling of aimlessness Diminished night vision Withered and brittle nails Dull-pale complexion without lustre but with red cheekbones
Diabetes mellitus might be due to Liver Yin Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, insomnia and blurred vision. Similarly, patients with Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as a normal (light red) tongue with complete absence of coating.
The seven herbal formulas that might help with diabetes mellitus
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys.
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with diabetes mellitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with diabetes mellitus. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with diabetes mellitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with diabetes mellitus. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with diabetes mellitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Liver Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with diabetes mellitus. If it looks like you might suffer from Liver Yin Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with diabetes mellitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with diabetes mellitus. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Leaches out Dampness. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Shen Ling Bai Zhu San help with diabetes mellitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with diabetes mellitus. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
