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.
Pulmonary tuberculosis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Symptoms: Wheezing Dry throat Night sweats and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Symptoms: Emaciation Night fever
Recommended formula: Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
In Chinese Medicine, pulmonary tuberculosis can be associated with two 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 pulmonary tuberculosis can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's pulmonary tuberculosis 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 pulmonary tuberculosis alone. For instance when pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by the pattern Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire, patients also experience symptoms such as coughing with blood-streaked sputum, wheezing, dry throat and hot palms and soles. Similarly, patients with Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with pulmonary tuberculosis 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 two formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with pulmonary tuberculosis
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Symptoms: Wheezing Dry throat Night sweats Hot palms and soles Coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Pulmonary tuberculosis might be due to Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as coughing with blood-streaked sputum, wheezing, dry throat and hot palms and soles. Similarly, patients with Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
Read more about Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire here
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the key herb for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Symptoms: Emaciation Night fever
Pulmonary tuberculosis might be due to Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as night fever and emaciation.
The two herbal formulas that might help with pulmonary tuberculosis
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Source date: 1573 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin. Lubricates the Lung and clears phlegm.
Why might Bai He Gu Jin Tang help with pulmonary tuberculosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire, a pattern sometimes associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. If it looks like you might suffer from Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with pulmonary tuberculosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. If it looks like you might suffer from Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to pulmonary tuberculosis
Coughing with blood-streaked sputum Wheezing Dry throat Hot palms and soles Night sweats Night fever Emaciation
