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.
Burning urination can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like burning urination here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here burning urination is often associated with hypochondrium fullness, chest fullness and vaginal discharge in the pattern “Damp Heat in the Liver”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of burning urination we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Damp Heat in the Liver, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause burning urination
In Chinese Medicine burning urination is a symptom for the pattern "Damp Heat in the Liver". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Patients often have a feeling of fullness. It is often caused by bad diet and lifestyle, hot and damp environment and emotional stress such as anger.
In addition to burning urination, other symptoms associated with Damp Heat in the Liver include hypochondrium fullness, chest fullness and vaginal discharge.
Damp Heat in the Liver is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
A herbal formula that might help with burning urination
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with burning urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp Heat in the Liver' of which burning urination is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp Heat In The Liver include hypochondrium fullness, chest fullness and vaginal discharge.
Chinese Gentian might help with burning urination
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with burning urination?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp Heat in the Liver' (a pattern with burning urination as a symptom)
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Other symptoms often associated with burning urination
Hypochondrium fullness Chest fullness Vaginal discharge Vaginal itching Feeling of heaviness Poor appetite Eczema Sores Menstrual cramps Irregular menstruation