Urinary tract calculi 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, urinary tract calculi is sometimes associated with Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, 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 urinary tract calculi might be caused by the pattern Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from urinary tract calculi alone. Indeed if urinary tract calculi is caused by Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, patients also experience symptoms such as scanty and dark urine, painful urination, dry mouth and dry throat. Similarly, patients with Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner so that you can have a better understanding of where urinary tract calculi 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 Ba Zheng San, a formula that can help treat Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner.
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with urinary tract calculi
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Zheng San
Symptoms: Dry mouth Dry throat Painful urination Urinary retention Lower abdominal pain Scanty and dark urine
Urinary tract calculi might be due to Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as scanty and dark urine, painful urination, dry mouth and dry throat. Similarly, patients with Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula that might help with urinary tract calculi
Ba Zheng San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Why might Ba Zheng San help with urinary tract calculi?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, a pattern sometimes associated with urinary tract calculi. If it looks like you might suffer from Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to urinary tract calculi
Scanty and dark urine Painful urination Dry mouth Dry throat Urinary retention Lower abdominal pain
