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.
Oedema 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 oedema 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 oedema is often associated with dizziness, depression and fatigue in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause oedema.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of oedema we’ve identified four 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 oedema.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause oedema
In Chinese Medicine oedema is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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 oedema, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, depression and fatigue.
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".
Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu) is the king ingredient for Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a formula used for Phlegm in the Uterus
Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
In addition to oedema, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Uterus include fatigue, chest fullness and nausea.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Phlegm in the Uterus is often treated with Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Coco-Grass Rhizomes - Xiang Fu - as a key herb). Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan 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: "Resolves Dampness and Phlegm".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to oedema, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, depression and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Four herbal formulas that might help with oedema
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Why might Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang help with oedema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which oedema is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with oedema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Uterus' of which oedema is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with oedema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which oedema is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot-Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with oedema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which oedema is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat oedema
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with oedema?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema as a symptom, like Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with oedema?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with oedema?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema as a symptom, like Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan 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 Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with oedema?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema as a symptom, like Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with oedema?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Conditions associated with oedema
Other symptoms often associated with oedema
Dizziness Night sweats Depression Tinnitus Dry mouth Dry throat Insomnia Hot flushes Fatigue Dry skin