↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Frequent, clear urination; nocturia; a sore lower back and knees; dribbling after urination; fatigue and lack of strength; worse with cold, overwork and excessive sexual activity.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, moist, thin white coating, possible tooth marks. Pulse: Deep, weak, Fine.
Treatment principle: Warm Kidney-Yang and secure the Bladder gate to restore its holding function.
Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with
Kidney-Qi not Firm — dribbling after urination and enuresis are named diagnostic symptoms there too.
Clinical manifestations: Urinary urgency without burning; loose stools; abdominal bloating after eating; a poor appetite; deep fatigue; a pale, puffy face.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender, tooth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Soft, weak.
Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen-Qi and restore the upward-holding function that restrains urine.
Note: moxa applicable. Matches
Spleen-Qi deficiency — the fatigue, loose stools and poor appetite share the same Spleen-Qi mechanism; the Spleen's job of holding things up is exactly what fails here for the bladder.
Clinical manifestations: Burning or stinging urination; dark yellow, cloudy urine; frequent, urgent urination with scanty output; lower abdominal fullness; thirst without a desire to drink.
Tongue: Red with a yellow greasy coating, thickest at the root. Pulse: Slippery, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness from the Lower Burner to relieve the irritation and urgency.
4. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
Clinical manifestations: Irritability and a short temper; a bitter taste; urinary urgency triggered by emotional stress; dark yellow or turbid urine; worse with anger, spicy food, alcohol and humid heat.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow greasy coating thicker at the centre and root. Pulse: Wiry, Slippery, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Damp-Heat from the Liver channel to soothe irritability and reduce urinary urgency.
Note: no moxa. Matches
Damp-Heat in the Liver — bitter taste and urinary burning/dark urine are both listed there.
Clinical manifestations: Frequent, clear, pale urine; nocturia; a cold sensation in the lower back and abdomen; dull, aching lower back pain; a preference for warmth.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, wet, thin white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, weak, Slow.
Treatment principle: Warm and tonify Kidney-Yang to restore the Bladder's ability to hold urine.