Renal tuberculosis 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.
Renal tuberculosis 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: Incontinence Lower back pain Urinary difficulty and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Shen Qi Wan
In Chinese Medicine, renal tuberculosis 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 renal tuberculosis can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's renal 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 renal tuberculosis alone. For instance when renal tuberculosis 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 renal 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 three formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with renal tuberculosis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with renal tuberculosis
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
Renal tuberculosis 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
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Shen Qi Wan
Symptoms: Incontinence Lower back pain Urinary difficulty Lower abdominal pressure Weakness of the lower extremities Cold sensation in the lower half of the body
Renal tuberculosis might be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower back pain, weakness of the lower extremities, cold sensation in the lower half of the body and lower abdominal pressure. Similarly, patients with Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
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
Renal 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 three herbal formulas that might help with renal tuberculosis
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 renal tuberculosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with renal tuberculosis. 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).
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with renal tuberculosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with renal tuberculosis. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, 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 renal tuberculosis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with renal 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).
