Uremia 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, uremia is sometimes associated with Heat in the Blood, 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 uremia might be caused by the pattern Heat in the Blood, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from uremia alone. Indeed if uremia is caused by Heat in the Blood, patients also experience symptoms such as fever, black and tarry stools, abdominal distention and fullness and thirst with an inability to swallow. Similarly, patients with Heat in the Blood typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat in the Blood so that you can have a better understanding of where uremia 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 Heat in the Blood.
Heat in the Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with uremia
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the key herb for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Symptoms: Fever Delirious speech Black and tarry stools Abdominal distention and fullness Thirst with an inability to swallow Frequent bleeding episodes in stools urine or vomit
Uremia might be due to Heat in the Blood if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fever, black and tarry stools, abdominal distention and fullness and thirst with an inability to swallow. Similarly, patients with Heat in the Blood typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
The two herbal formulas that might help with uremia
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with uremia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in the Blood, a pattern sometimes associated with uremia. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat in the Blood, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Zhou Che Wan
Source date: 992 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Promotes Qi movement. Harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation.
Why might Zhou Che Wan help with uremia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with uremia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
