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.
Edema of the lower extremities 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 edema of the lower extremities 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 edema of the lower extremities is often associated with exhaustion from long-term illness, aversion to cold and cold extremities in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of edema of the lower extremities we’ve identified two 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 edema of the lower extremities.
Kidney Yang Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause edema of the lower extremities
In Chinese Medicine edema of the lower extremities is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Yang Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to edema of the lower extremities, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include exhaustion from long-term illness, aversion to cold and cold extremities.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Two herbal formulas that might help with edema of the lower extremities
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which edema of the lower extremities is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include exhaustion from long-term illness, aversion to cold and cold extremities.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which edema of the lower extremities is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include exhaustion from long-term illness, aversion to cold and cold extremities.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat edema of the lower extremities
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Er Xian Tang or You Gui Wan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
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 Yam (Shan Yao) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Other symptoms often associated with edema of the lower extremities
Exhaustion from long-term illness Aversion to cold Cold extremities Impotence Spermatorrhea Weakness and aching in the knees