Dark urine 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.
Dark urine 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 dark urine 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 dark urine is often associated with dizziness, tinnitus and constipation in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause dark urine.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dark urine we’ve identified five 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 dark urine.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dark urine
In Chinese Medicine dark urine is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to dark urine, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include dizziness, tinnitus and constipation.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to dark urine, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire Blazing include dizziness, tinnitus and constipation.
Liver Fire Blazing 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".
Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) is the king ingredient for Qing Re Gu Jing Tang, a formula used for Heat in Uterus Blood
Heat in Uterus Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to dark urine, other symptoms associated with Heat in Uterus Blood include constipation, red face and feeling of heat.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in Uterus Blood is associated with health issues such as Heavy Menstruation.
Heat in Uterus Blood is often treated with Qing Re Gu Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Baikal Skullcap Roots - Huang Qin - as a key herb). Qing Re Gu Jing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Empty Heat".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Fire blazing
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi), Hasty (Cu)
In addition to dark urine, other symptoms associated with Heart Fire blazing include red face, feeling of heat and bitter taste in the mouth.
Heart Fire blazing is often treated with Xie Xin Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Xie Xin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Drains Fire".
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 dark urine, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Bladder include feeling of heat, fever and blood in urine.
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with dark urine
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 dark urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which dark urine is a symptom.
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess.
Why might Dang Gui Long Hui Wan help with dark urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which dark urine is a symptom.
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with dark urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Uterus Blood' of which dark urine is a symptom.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might Zi Xue Dan help with dark urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Fire blazing' of which dark urine is a symptom.
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 dark urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Bladder' of which dark urine is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for dark urine
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dark urine
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with dark urine?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' (a pattern with dark urine 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.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with dark urine?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' (a pattern with dark urine as a symptom)
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with dark urine?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' (a pattern with dark urine as a symptom)
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 Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with dark urine?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' (a pattern with dark urine as a symptom)
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Akebia Stem (Mu Tong) help with dark urine?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' (a pattern with dark urine as a symptom)
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.
Other symptoms often associated with dark urine
Dizziness Tinnitus Constipation Irritability Red face Feeling of heat Restlessness Sticky vaginal discharge Dry stools Poor appetite