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.
Frequent urination 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 frequent urination 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 frequent urination is often associated with dizziness, tinnitus and back pain in the pattern “Kidney Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause frequent urination.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of frequent urination 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 frequent urination.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause frequent urination
In Chinese Medicine frequent urination 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.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Characterised by frequent urination as the most distinguishing symptom. Kidney Qi Deficiency can be a precursor of Heart Qi Deficiency.
In addition to frequent urination, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and back pain.
Kidney Qi Deficiency is often treated with Qing E Wan, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Eucommia Bark - Du Zhong - as a key herb). Qing E 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 Reinforces Kidney Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to frequent urination, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Cold in the Uterus
Cold in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
There are two types of cold patterns: Full Cold or Empty Cold. Full cold refers to actual Cold Evil invading the Uterus and Dampness Stagnation often come along with this Full pattern. Empty cold is the result of Yang Deficiency, especially the Spleen and Kidney Yang.
In addition to frequent urination, other symptoms associated with Cold in the Uterus include scanty periods, feeling of cold and tiredness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Cold in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Late Menstruation.
Cold in the Uterus is often treated with Wen Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Wen Jing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Uterus and vessels".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wu Ling San, a formula used for Yin Excess
Yin Excess
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Excess Yin is a Full Yin state pattern. Its symptoms are like those of the Cold and Damp Heat Pernicious Influences such as Edema. It is a result of over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to frequent urination, other symptoms associated with Yin Excess include loose stools, edema and vaginal discharge.
Yin Excess is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to frequent urination, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, poor appetite and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with frequent urination
Qing E Wan
Why might Qing E Wan help with frequent urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi Deficiency' of which frequent urination is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Qi Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and back pain.
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Source date: 1640 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin. Regulates the menstrual cycle.
Why might Dang Gui Di Huang Yin help with frequent urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which frequent urination is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with frequent urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold in the Uterus' of which frequent urination is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Cold in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Wu Pi Yin
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Reduces edema, diuretic. Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi.
Why might Wu Pi Yin help with frequent urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Excess' of which frequent urination is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Yin Excess include loose stools, edema and vaginal discharge.
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with frequent urination?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which frequent urination is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat frequent urination
Why might Psoralea Fruit (Bu Gu Zhi) help with frequent urination?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat frequent urination and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat frequent urination as a symptom (such as Qing E Wan for instance).
Psoralea Fruits is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Kidney and Spleen Yang and rises Kidney Qi. Prevent Essence leakage and holds urines.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with frequent urination?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent urination as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or Wen Jing Tang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with frequent urination?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent urination as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Wu Ling San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with frequent urination?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent urination as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with frequent urination?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent urination as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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).
Conditions associated with frequent urination
Menstrual cramps Abnormal vaginal discharge Scanty menstruation Lupus Intermenstrual bleeding Menopausal syndrome
Other symptoms often associated with frequent urination
Dizziness Tinnitus Loose stools Poor appetite Scanty periods Depression Back pain Feeling of cold Tiredness Sore back