Oliguria 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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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 dry mouth, dizziness and tinnitus in the pattern “Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency”. 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 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 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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to oliguria, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency include dry mouth, dizziness and tinnitus.
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Xian Chang Shou 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: "Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys".
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
Five herbal formulas that might help with oliguria
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Source date: 1615 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys.
Why might Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan help with oliguria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency' of which scanty urination is a symptom.
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 scanty urination is a symptom.
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 scanty urination is a symptom.
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang 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 scanty urination is a symptom.
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Source date: 1918 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Sedates the Liver. Axtinguishes Wind. Nourishes the Yin. Anchors the yang.
Why might Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang 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 scanty urination is a symptom.
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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin or Liu Wei 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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with oliguria?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Feng Yin Tang or E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang 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 Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with oliguria?
Because Water Plantain 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.
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with oliguria?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Oyster Shell (Mu Li Ke) help with oliguria?
Because Oyster Shell is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat oliguria as a symptom, like Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang or Feng Yin Tang for instance.
Oyster Shells is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Bladder, the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,
Other symptoms often associated with oliguria
Edema Urinary tract infection Diarrhea Urinary difficulties Constipation Insomnia Carbuncles Sore throat Jaundice Restlessness