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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Oliguria 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 oliguria 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 oliguria is often associated with insomnia, hypertension and convulsions in the pattern “Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause oliguria.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of oliguria we’ve identified three 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 oliguria.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause oliguria
In Chinese Medicine oliguria is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Red
Liver Yang Rising can create Interior Wind if the condition is not treated for a long time. It can be divided to three categories based on the cause of the pattern: Liver Yin Deficiency, Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency or Liver Blood Deficiency.
In addition to oliguria, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising include insomnia, hypertension and convulsions.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising 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)".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising here
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Summer Heat with Dampness
Summer Heat with Dampness
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to oliguria, other symptoms associated with Summer Heat with Dampness include fever, headaches and lassitude.
Summer Heat with Dampness is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Three herbal formulas that might help with oliguria
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with oliguria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising' of which oliguria is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Yang Rising include insomnia, hypertension and convulsions.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San help with oliguria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Summer Heat with Dampness' of which oliguria is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Summer Heat With Dampness include fever, headaches and lassitude.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with oliguria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising' of which oliguria is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Yang Rising include insomnia, hypertension and convulsions.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat oliguria
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with oliguria?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan 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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with oliguria?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with oliguria?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang or Huo Xiang Zheng Qi 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with oliguria?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang or Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Abalone Shell (Shi Jue Ming) help with oliguria?
Because Abalone Shell is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin or E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang for instance.
Abalone Shells is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision.
Other symptoms often associated with oliguria
Edema Urinary tract infection Diarrhea Urinary difficulties Insomnia Constipation Carbuncles Sore throat Jaundice Restlessness