Urolithiasisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Urinary Stone Disorders
Sub-symptom(s): Urinary Tract Calculi
What is Urolithiasis?
Urolithiasis refers to the formation of stones, known as calculi, in any part of the urinary system. Stones can form in the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra, causing pain, obstruction, and other complications. These calculi are typically composed of minerals and acid salts and can range widely in size. Symptoms may include intense pain, hematuria, and nausea. Urolithiasis often requires medical intervention to remove or break down the stones, especially if they obstruct urinary flow or cause recurrent infections.
How does TCM view Urolithiasis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches urolithiasis not as an isolated condition but as a sign of systemic imbalance. TCM theory posits that symptoms arise from disharmonious patterns within the body's energy system.
Urolithiasis, in TCM, is often associated with stagnation and accumulation, such as Damp-Heat in the urinary tract, leading to the crystallization of minerals. Treatment focuses on restoring balance, enhancing flow, and dissolving stagnation, which differs markedly from the surgical and pharmacological approaches of Western medicine.
Causes of Urolithiasis According to TCM
TCM links the formation of urinary stones to imbalances in the body's internal environment. A common TCM pattern associated with urolithiasis is Damp-Heat or Damp-Cold, where an Excess of Heat or Cold combined with Dampness in the body crystallizes into stones.
Emotional stress and dietary habits can exacerbate this pattern, leading to the symptoms associated with stones. TCM treatments aim to address these patterns, clear Damp-Heat, and prevent the recurrence of stones by promoting a harmonious flow of Qi and fluids within the body.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Urolithiasis
When treating urolithiasis, TCM practitioners may prescribe formulas such as Shi Wei San and Wu Lin San, which are designed to alleviate Damp-Cold in the Bladder and support the body's natural stone-resolving mechanisms. Da Cheng Qi Tang is employed for its purgative action in cases of Heat accumulation, while Dao Chi San can be effective for addressing Full-Heat in the Small Intestine.
In cases of concurrent Summer-Heat patterns, Liu Yi San, with its cooling properties, is beneficial. Each formula is chosen based on the individual's specific pattern of disharmony to ensure that the treatment is as effective as possible in not only managing the symptoms but also addressing the root cause of the condition.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address urolithiasis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that purge heat accumulation
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of dampness
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Urolithiasis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Shi Wei San
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness" recommended for urolithiasis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Shi Wei San | |
| Wu Lin San | Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) |
| Ba Zheng San | Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai), Knotgrass (Bian Xu) |
Formulas that purge Heat accumulation
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from an excess of internal heat, needing actions that clear heat and reduce its intensity.
One such formula is Da Cheng Qi Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Dao Chi San, with akebia stem as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas when the symptom is caused by summer heat combined with dampness accumulation, requiring actions that both cool and resolve dampness.
One such formula is Liu Yi San, with talc as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Si Ni San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Da Jian Zhong Tang, with sichuan pepper as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Urolithiasis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Dang Gui Shao Yao San, with white peony root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Urolithiasis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address urolithiasis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that relieve food stagnation
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
Herbs that drain Dampness
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Akebia Stems (Mu Tong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Dao Chi San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for urolithiasis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) | Dao Chi San |
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Liu Yi San |
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |
| Gold Coin Herb (Jin Qian Cao) | Not applicable |
| Mallow Seeds (Dong Kui Zi) | Not applicable |
| Pyrrosia Leaves (Shi Wei) | Not applicable |
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Da Cheng Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Purgative herbs that drain downward" recommended for urolithiasis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Rhubarb (Da Huang) | Da Cheng Qi Tang |
| Niter (Xiao Shi) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Alfalfa Leaves (Mu Xu), which is directly recommended for urolithiasis.
Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs in cases of digestive disturbances due to overeating or consuming hard-to-digest foods, assisting in breaking down and moving food through the digestive system.
One such herb is Chicken Gizzard Skins (Ji nei jin), which is directly recommended for urolithiasis.
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs in situations of diminished Yang energy, aiming to warm and activate the body's functions.
One such herb is Walnuts (Hu Tao Ren), which is directly recommended for urolithiasis.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Gotu Kola Herbs (Ji Xue Cao), which is directly recommended for urolithiasis.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Si Ni San.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Wu Lin San.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Sichuan Pepper (Hua Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Da Jian Zhong Tang.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Urolithiasis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for urolithiasis, like Dang Gui Shao Yao San.