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 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.
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Cinnamon Twig is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like Shen Qi Wan or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
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 Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with edema of the lower extremities?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat edema of the lower extremities as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Other symptoms often associated with edema of the lower extremities
Exhaustion from long-term illness Aversion to cold Cold extremities Impotence Spermatorrhea