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.
Possible causes and remedies:
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, enuresis can be associated with four 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 enuresis can be caused by four different patterns.
To understand whether someone's enuresis 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 enuresis alone. For instance when enuresis is caused by the pattern Heat in Yang brightness Organs, patients also experience symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the four patterns associated with enuresis 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 eight formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with enuresis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Severe constipation Tense and firm abdomen Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Enuresis might be due to Heat in Yang brightness Organs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Enuresis might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Sang Piao Xiao San
Symptoms: Dizziness Incontinence Forgetfulness Disorientation Lower back pain Feeling of cold Frequent urination White urethral discharge Urine the color of rice water - grey and cloudy
Enuresis might be due to Bladder Deficiency with Cold if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as disorientation, forgetfulness, incontinence and lower back pain. Similarly, patients with Bladder Deficiency with Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Xiao Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Wheezing No thirst Absence of sweating Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills General sensation of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Enuresis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as alternating fever and chills, absence of sweating, wheezing and stifling sensation in the chest. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The top herbs in Da Cheng Qi Tang are Rhubarb (Da Huang), Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) and Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess which are sometimes associated with enuresis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Sang Piao Xiao San are Praying Mantis Egg-Cases (Sang Piao Shao), Dragon Bones (Long Gu) and Tortoise Plastrons (Gui Ban)
Source date: 1116 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys. Stabilizes the Essence. Stops leakage.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Bladder Deficiency with Cold, a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from Bladder Deficiency with Cold, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xiao Qing Long Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang are Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui), White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) and Dragon Bones (Long Gu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang. Harmonizes Heart and Kidney. Stabilizes and secures Essence.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Si Ni San are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang are Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Strengthens the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Bu Fei Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Source date: 1331 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Stabilizes the Exterior.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang are White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin. Moderates painful spasms. Alleviates pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with enuresis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).