Bladder, heat syndrome

This formula can clear heat, drain excess fire, promote urination and relieve pain. It is used to treat Lin syndrome (painful urinary dysfunction) due to damp-heat in the Bladder, which injures the blood and blocks the Qi. The manifestations are turbid and dark urine, painful and difficult urination, lower abdominal pain and distension, dry mouth and thirst, a yellow and sticky tongue coating, and a slippery and wiry pulse. 

Qing Hao is bitter, cold and aromatic, and enters the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. It can clear and disperse heat from these meridians, especially from the blood and Yin levels. In a formula that descends the Liver-Yang, Qing Hao is used as a corrective assistant to disperse and ascend the restrained Liver-Qi, which is suppressed by the heavy and cold descending minerals and herbs. Meanwhile, since Qing Hao can brighten the eyes, clear summer-heat and damp-heat, it can be selected if red and swollen eyes with blurred vision are present in the syndrome. 

This formula can tonify Qi, generate body fluid, moisten dryness and relieve thirst. It treats thirst and wasting syndrome, a syndrome known as diabetes in western medicine. It is caused by Yin deficiency of the Kidney, Stomach and Lung. When dryness occurs in the Stomach, the Qi is too weak to spread the fluid, and excessive thirst appears. Heat consumes the Qi and can directly lead to lassitude and shortness of breath. If the Kidney fails to control the Bladder and is unable to separate clean fluid from turbid, patients may pass large amounts of turbid urine frequently. Yin and Qi deficiency often show in a red tongue with a thin and dry coating, and a weak and thready pulse. 

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