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 tract infection 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
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Symptoms: Fatigue Sweating Lassitude and eight other symptoms
Recommended formula: Er Xian Tang
In Chinese Medicine, urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's urinary tract infection 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 tract infection alone. For instance when urinary tract infection 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 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 three patterns associated with urinary tract infection 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 urinary tract infection, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with urinary tract infection
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
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
Urinary tract infection 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 rapid (Shu) or fine (Xi) 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
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Recommended herbal formula: Er Xian Tang
Symptoms: Fatigue Sweating Lassitude Depression Hot flushes Hypertension Irritability Palpitations Frequent urination Menopausal symptoms Irregular menstruation
Urinary tract infection might be due to Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as menopausal symptoms, hypertension, irregular menstruation and hot flushes.
Read more about Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang here
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the key herb for Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, a formula used for Toxic Heat
Toxic Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Symptoms: Boils Sores Erythema Swellings Carbuncles
Urinary tract infection might be due to Toxic Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as boils, carbuncles, erythema and swellings. Similarly, patients with Toxic Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
The three herbal formulas that might help with urinary tract infection
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with urinary tract infection?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with urinary tract infection. 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).
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with urinary tract infection?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang, a pattern sometimes associated with urinary tract infection. If it looks like you might suffer from Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity. Cools the Blood. Reduces swelling.
Why might Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin help with urinary tract infection?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Toxic Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with urinary tract infection. If it looks like you might suffer from Toxic Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to urinary tract infection
Soreness and weakness in the lower back Lightheadedness Vertigo Tinnitus Diminished hearing Night sweats Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Chronic sore throat Menopausal symptoms Hypertension
