Enuresis 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.
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Enuresis 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 enuresis 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 enuresis is often associated with frequent urination, feeling of cold and lower back pain in the pattern “Bladder Deficient and Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause enuresis.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of enuresis 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 enuresis.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause enuresis
In Chinese Medicine enuresis 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 Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Bladder Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to enuresis, other symptoms associated with Bladder Deficient and Cold include frequent urination, feeling of cold and lower back pain.
Bladder Deficient and Cold is often treated with Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Praying Mantis Egg-Cases - Sang Piao Shao - as a key herb). Sang Piao Xiao San belongs to the category of "formulas that secure essence and stop enuresis", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi not Firm
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Qi not Firm means Kidney Qi Deficiency. Two characteristics are typical in this pattern. Firstly, it is a type of Kidney Yang Deficiency with the associated Cold symptoms. Secondly, it is a type of sinking of Kidneys Qi, thus with many ‘leaking’ downwards symptoms.
In addition to enuresis, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi not Firm include frequent urination, premature ejaculation and feeling of cold.
Kidney Qi not Firm is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with enuresis
Sang Piao Xiao San
Source date: 1116 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys. Stabilizes the Essence. Stops leakage.
Why might Sang Piao Xiao San help with enuresis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' of which enuresis is a symptom.
Suo Quan Wan
Source date: 1227 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Dispels cold. Reduces urinary frequency. Stops leakage.
Why might Suo Quan Wan help with enuresis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' of which enuresis is a symptom.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with enuresis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which enuresis is a symptom.
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidneys. Binds up the semen.
Why might Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan help with enuresis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which enuresis is a symptom.
Fu Tu Dan
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidney Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Stops leakage.
Why might Fu Tu Dan help with enuresis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which enuresis is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for enuresis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat enuresis
Why might Praying Mantis Egg-Case (Sang Piao Shao) help with enuresis?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with enuresis as a symptom)
Praying Mantis Egg-Cases is a Neutral herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidneys and strengthens Yang. Restrains Essence and decreases urination.
Why might Dragon Bone (Long Gu) help with enuresis?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with enuresis as a symptom)
Dragon Bones is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms the spirit. Anchors ascendant Liver Yang. Stops leakage of Bodily Fluids.
Why might Tortoise Plastron (Gui Ban) help with enuresis?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with enuresis as a symptom)
Tortoise Plastrons is a Cool herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Yin and holds down the Yang. Strengthens the Kidneys and strengthens the bones. Cools the Blood, stops uterine bleeding. Nourishes the Heart. Promotes Healing.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with enuresis?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with enuresis as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen) help with enuresis?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with enuresis as a symptom)
Host-Wood Poria is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination.
Other symptoms often associated with enuresis
Urinary incontinence Spermatorrhea Diarrhea Frequent urination Leukorrhea Impotence Premature ejaculation Feeling of cold Back pain Asthma