Pre-eclampsia 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, pre-eclampsia is sometimes associated with Oedema, 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 pre-eclampsia might be caused by the pattern Oedema, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from pre-eclampsia alone. Indeed if pre-eclampsia is caused by Oedema, patients also experience symptoms such as labored breathing, urinary difficulty and general sensation of heaviness distention and fullness. Similarly, patients with Oedema typically exhibit hidden (Fu) or slowed-down (Huan) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Oedema so that you can have a better understanding of where pre-eclampsia 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 two formulas that can help treat Oedema.
Oedema, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with pre-eclampsia
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Wu Pi Yin, a formula used for Oedema
Oedema
Pulse type(s): Hidden (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Pi Yin
Symptoms: Labored breathing Urinary difficulty General sensation of heaviness distention and fullness
Pre-eclampsia might be due to Oedema if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as labored breathing, urinary difficulty and general sensation of heaviness distention and fullness. Similarly, patients with Oedema typically exhibit hidden (Fu) or slowed-down (Huan) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The two herbal formulas that might help with pre-eclampsia
Wu Pi Yin
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Reduces edema, diuretic. Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi.
Why might Wu Pi Yin help with pre-eclampsia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Oedema, a pattern sometimes associated with pre-eclampsia. If it looks like you might suffer from Oedema, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Liver Blood. Spreads the Liver Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Dang Gui Shao Yao San help with pre-eclampsia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pre-eclampsia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to pre-eclampsia
Labored breathing Urinary difficulty General sensation of heaviness distention and fullness
