Urinary incontinence 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.
Urinary incontinence factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Symptoms: Deafness Tinnitus Dizziness and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Aversion to cold Spontaneous sweating Thirst for warm drinks and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, urinary incontinence 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 urinary incontinence can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's urinary incontinence 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 urinary incontinence alone. For instance when urinary incontinence is caused by the pattern Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, blurred vision and deafness. Similarly, patients with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with urinary incontinence 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 seven formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with urinary incontinence, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with urinary incontinence
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Deafness Tinnitus Dizziness Weak voice Unsteadiness Loose stools Poor appetite Blurred vision Pale complexion Shortness of breath
Urinary incontinence might be due to Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, blurred vision and deafness. Similarly, patients with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the key herb for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency Fever
Qi Deficiency Fever
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Symptoms: Aversion to cold Spontaneous sweating Thirst for warm drinks Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion
Urinary incontinence might be due to Qi Deficiency Fever if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold and thirst for warm drinks. Similarly, patients with Qi Deficiency Fever typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The seven herbal formulas that might help with urinary incontinence
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with urinary incontinence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency and Qi Deficiency Fever which are sometimes associated with urinary incontinence. 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).
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
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.
Why might Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang help with urinary incontinence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with urinary incontinence. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Si Ni San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Why might Si Ni San help with urinary incontinence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with urinary incontinence. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Suo Quan Wan
Source date: 1227 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Dispels cold. Reduces urinary frequency. Stops leakage.
Why might Suo Quan Wan help with urinary incontinence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with urinary incontinence. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang help with urinary incontinence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with urinary incontinence. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to urinary incontinence
Dizziness Unsteadiness Blurred vision Deafness Tinnitus Shortness of breath Weak voice Pale complexion Poor appetite Loose stools
