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.
Pattern factsheet
Chinese name: 在肾或胆之痰
Pinyin name: Zài Shèn Huò Dǎn Zhī Tán
Associated TCM concepts: Phlegm Kidneys Gallbladder
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Gallstones Kidney stones Epigastric pain
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
According to Chinese medicine, gallstones or kidney stones are a form of Phlegm. It is the consequence of Phlegm left untreated in respectively the Gallbladder and the Kidneys. Over a long period of time Heat will solidify Phlegm, resulting in the formation of stones.
Diagnosing Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Possible symptoms: Gallstones Kidney stones Epigastric pain
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners.
In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors. Here patients with Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder will tend to exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, thick coating.
Practitioners also learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Here patients with Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder might experience symptoms like gallstones, kidney stones and epigastric pain.
Herbal formulas used to treat Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Formula summary
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) as a principal ingredient. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and purge.
Besides Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder, Da Huang Fu Zi Tang is also used to treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior.
