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 dark urine, blood in urine and fever in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Bladder”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause burning urination.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of burning urination we’ve identified four herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat burning urination.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause burning urination
In Chinese Medicine burning urination is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
In addition to burning urination, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Bladder include dark urine, blood in urine and fever.
Damp-Heat in the Bladder is often treated with Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Chinese Pink Herbs - Qu Mai - as a key herb). Ba Zheng San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire".
The Small Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)
In addition to burning urination, other symptoms associated with Full-Heat in the Small Intestine include blood in urine, insomnia and tongue ulcers.
Full-Heat in the Small Intestine is often treated with Dao Chi San, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Akebia Stems - Mu Tong - as a key herb). Dao Chi San 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 the Heart".
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 dark urine, fever and menstrual cramps.
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".
Four herbal formulas that might help with burning urination
Liu Yi San
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Summer-Heat. Drains Dampness. Supplements Qi.
Why might Liu Yi San help with burning urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Bladder' of which burning urination is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Bladder include dark urine, blood in urine and fever.
Dao Chi San
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears the Heart. Promotes urination.
Why might Dao Chi San help with burning urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Full-Heat in the Small Intestine' of which burning urination is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Full-Heat In The Small Intestine include blood in urine, insomnia and tongue ulcers.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao 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 dark urine, fever and menstrual cramps.
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 dark urine, fever and menstrual cramps.
Acupuncture points used for burning urination
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat burning urination
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with burning urination?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat burning urination as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Dao Chi San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with burning urination?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat burning urination as a symptom, like Yin Chen Hao Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Akebia Stem (Mu Tong) help with burning urination?
Because Akebia Stem is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat burning urination as a symptom, like Dao Chi San or Ba Zheng San for instance.
Akebia Stems is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Small intestine.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and clears Heat. Clears Heat and inflammation of the Heart. Promotes lactation. Moves and smoothes the flow of Blood. Used for painful obstruction associated with either Dampness, Blood Stagnation, Wind or Heat.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with burning urination?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat burning urination as a symptom, like Dao Chi San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Plantain Seed (Che Qian Zi) help with burning urination?
Because Plantain Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat burning urination as a symptom, like Ba Zheng San or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Plantain Seeds is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver, the Lung and the Small intestine.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and clears Heat. Stops diarrhea by expelling water through urination. Brightens the eyes, used in combination either for Deficiency or Heat. Reduces inflammation of infections. Arrests cough and expectorates Phlegm.
Other symptoms often associated with burning urination
Dark Urine Blood in urine Fever Thirst with no desire to drink Feeling of heat Menstrual cramps Irregular menstruation Jaundice Vomiting Hypochondrium fullness