Diabetes 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.
Diabetes 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 diabetes 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 diabetes is often associated with insomnia, night sweats and dry cough in the pattern “Lung Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause diabetes.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of diabetes 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 diabetes.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause diabetes
In Chinese Medicine diabetes is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to diabetes, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include insomnia, night sweats and dry cough.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Stomach Yin Deficiency causes Dryness and Heat, which harms the Organ's ability of receiving and ripening foods and drinks. It is the result of prolonged unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits.
In addition to diabetes, other symptoms associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency include dry mouth, bleeding gums and constipation.
Stomach Yin Deficiency is often treated with Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dwarf Lilyturf Roots - Mai Dong - as a key herb). Mai Men Dong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Stomach".
Five herbal formulas that might help with diabetes
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang help with diabetes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which diabetes is a symptom.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang help with diabetes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which diabetes is a symptom.
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Controls coughing. Stops bleeding. Tonifies the Lungs.
Why might Bu Fei E Jiao Tang help with diabetes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which diabetes is a symptom.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Why might Jiu Xian San help with diabetes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which diabetes is a symptom.
Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Mai Men Dong Tang help with diabetes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which diabetes is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for diabetes
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat diabetes
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with diabetes?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat diabetes as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with diabetes?
Because it is a key herb in Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with diabetes as a symptom)
Dwarf Lilyturf Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with diabetes?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with diabetes as a symptom)
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with diabetes?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with diabetes as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with diabetes?
Because it is a key herb in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with diabetes as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Other symptoms often associated with diabetes
Insomnia Night sweats Asthma Dizziness Fever Dry cough Edema Nosebleed Tinnitus Hypertension