Oedema of feet 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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Oedema of feet 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 of feet 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 of feet is often associated with feeling of heaviness, poor appetite and loose stools in the pattern “Oedema”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of oedema of feet 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 oedema of feet.
Oedema, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause oedema of feet
In Chinese Medicine oedema of feet is a symptom for the pattern "Oedema". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wu Ling San, a formula used for Oedema
Oedema
Pulse type(s): Hidden (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Oedema manifests itself as swellings due to the retention of Body Fluids. Chinese Medicine believes that it originates from the leaking of Body Fluids from their normal pathways into the space between skin and muscles.
In addition to oedema of feet, other symptoms associated with Oedema include feeling of heaviness, poor appetite and loose stools.
Oedema 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,".
Five herbal formulas that might help with oedema of feet
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 oedema of feet?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Oedema' of which oedema of feet is a symptom.
Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Diuretic, clears Excess fluid and removes edema. Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Calms External Wind.
Why might Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang help with oedema of feet?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Oedema' of which oedema of feet is a symptom.
Ping Wei San
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Ping Wei San help with oedema of feet?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Oedema' of which oedema of feet is a symptom.
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with oedema of feet?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Oedema' of which oedema of feet is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for oedema of feet
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat oedema of feet
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with oedema of feet?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema of feet as a symptom, like Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang or Ping Wei 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 Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with oedema of feet?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema of feet as a symptom, like Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with oedema of feet?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema of feet as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with oedema of feet?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema of feet as a symptom, like Guo Qi Yin or Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Safflower (Hong Hua) help with oedema of feet?
Because Safflower is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oedema of feet as a symptom, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Safflowers is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with oedema of feet
Feeling of heaviness Irritability Poor appetite Loose stools Fatigue Sore back Sore knees Cold limbs Oedema of abdomen Oedema of ankles