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.
Kidney stones 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 kidney stones 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 kidney stones is often associated with gallstones and epigastric pain in the pattern “Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of kidney stones we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Da Huang Fu Zi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause kidney stones
In Chinese Medicine kidney stones is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder". 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
Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
According to Chinese medicine, gallstones or kidney stones are a form of Phlegm.
In addition to kidney stones, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder include gallstones and epigastric pain.
Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder is often treated with Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Da Huang Fu Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and purge", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Interior".
A herbal formula that might help with kidney stones
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with kidney stones?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder' of which kidney stones is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm In Kidneys Or Gallbladder include gallstones and epigastric pain.
Prepared aconite might help with kidney stones
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with kidney stones?
Because it is a key herb in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in Kidneys or Gallbladder' (a pattern with kidney stones as a symptom)
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 kidney stones
Cold in the lower extremities Impotence Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Prostatic hypertrophy Coughing Asthma Persistent diarrhea Dysuria Spasms of the lower abdomen