Grey and cloudy urine 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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Grey and cloudy urine 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 grey and cloudy urine 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 grey and cloudy urine is often associated with urinary dribbling in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Bladder”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of grey and cloudy urine we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Ba Zheng San can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Damp-Heat in the Bladder, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause grey and cloudy urine
In Chinese Medicine grey and cloudy urine is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Heat in the Bladder". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
In addition to grey and cloudy urine, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Bladder include urinary dribbling.
Damp-Heat in the Bladder is often treated with Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Chinese Pink Herbs - Qu Mai - as a key herb). Ba Zheng San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire".
A herbal formula that might help with grey and cloudy urine
Ba Zheng San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Why might Ba Zheng San help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Bladder' of which cloudy urine is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat grey and cloudy urine
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat grey and cloudy urine as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Ba Zheng San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
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 Sweetflag Rhizome (Shi Chang Pu) help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because Sweetflag Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat grey and cloudy urine as a symptom, like Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin or Sang Piao Xiao San for instance.
Sweetflag Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind (Shen) and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. Harmonizes the Earth element and dispels Damp. Applied internally or externally for Wind-Cold-Damp painful obstruction.
Why might Talc (Hua Shi) help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because Talc is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat grey and cloudy urine as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Ba Zheng San for instance.
Talc is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically.
Why might Fish-Poison Yam (Bi Xie) help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because it is a key herb in Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Bladder' (a pattern with grey and cloudy urine as a symptom)
Fish-Poison Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Bladder, the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and eliminates cloudy urine. Eliminates Wind-Damp. Relieves Damp-Heat from the skin.
Why might Praying Mantis Egg-Case (Sang Piao Shao) help with grey and cloudy urine?
Because it is a key herb in Sang Piao Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with grey and cloudy urine 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.
Other symptoms often associated with grey and cloudy urine
Urinary dribbling Lower back pain Rheumatism Rheumatoid arthritis Eczema Chyluria Leukorrhea Rheumatic athralgia Knee pain Disorientation