The Three Treasures Newsletters
AUTUMN 2005
MEN'S SEXUAL AND PROSTATE PROBLEMS IN CHINESE
MEDICINE
While Chinese medicine has a rich tradition in the diagnosis
and treatment of gynaecological problems, fewer ancient or modern
texts are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of men's
problems. For example, Chinese medicine refers to the "Uterus" in
all its classic texts, but no mention is ever made of the prostate.
The Du Mai, Ren Mai and Chong Mai are said to arise in the Lower
Burner and flow through the uterus: but where do they flow through
in men? The classics do not say.
The
present newsletter will discuss the physiology of men's
sexual organs including the prostate, some aspects of pathology
and the treatment of the following conditions:
| • |
Impotence |
| • |
Premature ejaculation |
| • |
Low sperm count |
| • |
Benign prostatic hypertrophy |
| • |
Prostatitis |
Before discussing the treatment of specific conditions, we should
look at the channels that affect men's genital system and
how the penis, testis, seminal vesicles and prostate fit in Chinese
Medicine.
Chapter 65 of the "Spiritual Axis" says: "The
Directing and Penetrating Vessels originate from the Lower Dan
Tian [literally"Bao"]."1.
1981 Spiritual Axis (Ling Shu
Jing [#ch]), People's
Health Publishing House, Beijing, p. 120. First published
c. 100 BC. The actual term used by the "Spiritual
Axis" is "Bao" which
is often translated as "uterus". However, while
the term "Zi
Bao" refers to the Uterus, the word "Bao" indicates
a structure that is common to both men and women: in women, it
is the Uterus, in men, it is the "Room of Sperm". Both
these structures reside in the lower Dan
Tian and store
Essence and, as the Extraordinary Vessels originate from here,
they are closely connected to Essence.
The "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (Yi
Zong Jin Jian,
1742) says: "The Governing
vessel arises within the lower abdomen, externally in the abdomen,
internally in the 'Bao' .
. . also called Dan Tian in both men and women: in women it is
the uterus, in men it is the Room of Sperm."
This classic text therefore states clearly that Bao is
a structure common to men and women, in the former corresponding
to the "Room of Sperm" (or "Room of Jing")
and the latter to the Uterus. The "Room of Sperm" is
in the lower abdomen but we know that the sperm is made in the
testicles, seminal vesicles and prostate. I think it is
therefore legitimate to assume that the prostate is a structure
that is equivalent to the uterus in women and that therefore
the Du Mai, Ren Mai and Chong Mai flow through the prostate.
CHANNELS INFLUENCING MEN'S GENITALIA
The genitals are related primarily to the Liver and Kidney channels
and to the Ren, Chong and Du Mai. The Liver Luo channel,
loops around the genitalia. While the influence of the Ren Mai
on the genitalia is obvious, that of the Du Mai Vessel is often
overlooked.
The "Su Wen" (Chapter 60) describes an anterior branch
of the Du Mai Vessel that flows to the external genitalia both
in men and women, and to the pubic bone and from here ascends
up the abdomen on the same trajectory as the Ren Mai.
The pathways of the channels flowing through the genitalia are
as follows:
| • |
A branch of the Du Mai flows down to the genitalia. |
| • |
The Kidney Main, Luo and Muscle channels flow
through the genitalia. |
| • |
The Liver Main, Luo, Divergent and Muscle channels wrap
around the genitalia. |
MALE GENITAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PHLEGM
| • |
Prostatic hypertrophy |
| • |
Peyronie's disease |
| • |
Priapism |
| • |
Impotence |
| • |
Sweaty genitals |
OTHER GENERAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PHLEGM
| • |
Dull shen of the eyes |
| • |
Dark eye sockets |
| • |
Corners of the eyes have very slight cracks with exudate |
| • |
Sallow complexion |
| • |
Swollen body, puffy face, obesity |
| • |
Greasy skin |
| • |
Sweaty external genitalia, axillae or palms and soles |
| • |
Enlarged fingers and toes |
| • |
Thick thumbs |
MALE GENITAL MANIFESTATIONS OF
STASIS OF JING
Although it may seem strange to talk of "stasis" of
Jing, it does occur in men and it is basically men's equivalent
of Stasis of Blood in the Uterus in women.
The clinical manifestations of stasis of Jing are: stabbing pain
lumbar region, pain in perineum, hypogastric pain, pain in testis
and/or penis, impotence, premature ejaculation, priapism, prostatic
hypertrophy, premature greying of hair, itching or pain pubic
region, abnormal sperm, Peyronie's disease, Purple tongue,
Choppy or Firm pulse.
THE ROLE OF THE HEART IN THE MALE GENITAL SYSTEM
The menstrual and sexual function in women and the sexual function
in men rely on the coordination and harmony between Kidneys and
Heart. The Water of the Kidneys and the Fire of the Heart need
to nourish each other. While the Kidney-Essence is the origin
of sperm in men and menstrual blood/ova in women, the Heart plays
an important role in erection and sexual arousal.
In particular, in men, the Heart plays a crucial role in erection,
orgasm and ejaculation. Just as the discharge of blood at menstruation
and the release of the eggs at ovulation depend on the descending
of Heart-Qi, erection and ejaculation also depend on the descending
of Heart-Qi. To perform these functions, Heart-Qi descends to
communicate with Kidney-Qi.
Kidney-Water needs to ascend towards the Heart and Heart-Fire
(the physiological Emperor Fire) needs to descend towards the
Kidneys: the coordination between the descending of Heart-Fire
and ascending of Kidney-Water ensures a normal menstruation and
ovulation in women and normal sexual function in both men and
women.
The ascending of the Kidneys and descending of the Heart in the
menstrual and sexual sphere is also ensured by the communication
between the Du Mai and the Ren Mai: in fact, both these extraordinary
vessels originate from the space between the Kidneys, both flow
through the Uterus (in men through the prostate) and both flow
through the heart. The Du Mai and Ren Mai form like a closed
circuit and may be looked upon as one channel, one Yang, the
other Yin. The Du Mai represents the Kidney-Yang and the Ren
Mai the Kidney-Yin in the fluctuation of Yin and Yang during
the menstrual cycle: the proper communication between Heart and
Kidneys and between the Du and Ren Mai ensures a normal menstruation/ovulation
and normal sexual function.
With regard to sexual function, during sexual excitation the
Minister Fire within the Kidneys is aroused and flows up towards
the Pericardium and Heart: for this reason the person becomes
flushed in the face (the complexion is a manifestation of the
Heart) and the heart rate increases during sexual excitation.
With orgasm and ejaculation, there is a downward movement of
Qi which releases the accumulated Minister Fire downwards: in
order for this to occur normally the downward movement of Heart-Qi
is crucial.
A normal sexual desire, arousal, erection and orgasm therefore
relies on three main factors:
| • |
The ascending of Kidney-Water and descending of Heart-Fire |
| • |
The communication between Kidneys and Heart |
| • |
The connection between Du and Ren Mai. |
If the Minister Fire within the Kidneys is deficient there will
be a decreased libido in both men and women and an inability
to reach an orgasm in women and impotence in men. If Heart-Qi
and Heart-Blood are deficient or not descending to communicate
with the Kidneys, there may be impotence or premature ejaculation
in men and inability to reach an orgasm in women even in the
presence of sexual arousal.
The "Discussion on Blood" written in 1884 by Tang
Zong Hai says: " Fire is
Yang and generates Blood which is Yin. On the other hand, Blood
nourishes Fire and makes sure that Fire does not flare up, whilst
Blood moistens the lower Burner. It is stored in the Liver, it
fills the Sea of Blood and the Penetrating, Directing and Girdle
extraordinary vessels, and it warms and nourishes the whole body
. . . When Blood moistens the Lower Burner and the Sea of Blood,
and Heart-Fire follows it down to the umbilicus, then Blood is
flourishing and Fire does not flare excessively, so that men
are free of disease and women are fertile."
From this passage it is apparent that the Heart-Qi and Heart-Blood
need to flow downwards to the Lower Burner to interact with Blood
and Jing.
IMPOTENCE
FACTORS AFFECTING ERECTION
| • |
Du Mai - Kidney-Yang - Minister Fire - Fire
of Ming Men |
| • |
Blood - Heart-Blood |
| • |
Chong Mai in four ways: |
| |
| - |
Sea of Blood |
| - |
Post-Natal Qi (at ST-30 Qichong) |
| - |
Pre-Natal Qi (at Ren-1 Huiyin, KI-13 Qixue and Ren-4
Guanyuan) |
| - |
Influences penis through Zong muscles |
|
| • |
Liver channel (Main, Luo, Muscle and Divergent)
wraps around penis |
| • |
Pathogenic factors such as Dampness, Blood stasis,
stasis of Jing. |
KIDNEY-YANG DEFICIENCY
Impotence, lower backache, dizziness, tinnitus, frequent-pale
urination, nocturia, feeling cold, cold lower back and knees,
Pale tongue, Deep-Weak pulse.
Gui Lu Bu Shen Tang
Lu Jiao Jiao, Gui Ban Jiao, Gou Qi Zi, Rou Cong Rong, Huang Qi,
Shu Di Huang, Yin Yang Huo, Yi Zhi Ren, Ba Ji Tian.
Acupuncture: BL-23, BL-20, SI-3 on the left with BL-62
on the right, Du-20, Ren-6, Ren-4, Ren-3, KI-3.
Three Treasures remedy: Strengthen
the Root or Unicorn
Pearl (Women's Treasure).
KIDNEY-YIN DEFICIENCY
Impotence, lower backache, dizziness, tinnitus, scanty-dark urine, night-sweating,
insomnia, tongue without coating, Floating-Empty pulse.
Di Long Tang
Di Long, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu, Tu Si Zi, Tian Men Dong, Gou Qi Zi, Gui Ban
Jiao, Shu Di Huang, Mu Li, Mu Dan Pi.
Acupuncture: BL-23, BL-20, SI-3 on the left with BL-62 on the right, Du-20,
Ren-6, Ren-4, Ren-3, KI-3, LU-7 with KI-6.
Three Treasures remedy: Nourish
the Root or Growing
Jade (Women's Treasure).
DAMP-HEAT IN LOWER BURNER
Impotence, difficult-painful urination, turbid urine, itching of genitals,
urethral discharge, tongue with sticky-yellow coating with red spots on
root, Slippery pulse.
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (Bensky, p. 201)
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan (Bensky, p. 265)
Acupuncture: SP-4 on the left with P-6 on the right, LIV-5, SP-9, SP-6, Ren-2,
Ren-3, LIV-1, LIV-3.
Three Treasures remedy: Separate
Clear and Turbid.
DAMP-HEAT IN LIVER CHANNEL
Impotence, difficult-painful urination, rash external genitalia, irritability,
tongue with red sides and sticky-yellow coating and red spots on the root,
Wiry pulse.
Qing Gan Li Shi Tang
Huang Bo, Huang Qin, Qu Mai, Bian Xu, Hua Shi, Zhi Zi, Che Qian Zi, Mu Tong,
Chai Hu, Yin Chen Hao, She Chuang Zi, Wang Bu Liu Xing, Jin Qian Cao.
Acupuncture: SP-4 on the left with P-6 on the right, LIV-5, SP-9, SP-6, Ren-2,
Ren-3, LIV-1, LIV-3.
Three Treasures remedy: Drain
Fire.
LIVER-BLOOD DEFICIENCY
Impotence, dizziness, blurred vision, depression, insomnia, Pale tongue,
Choppy pulse.
Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang Jia Wei
Bai Shao, Zhi Gan Cao, Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Huang Jing, Shan Zhu Yu, Wu
Wei Zi, Gou Qi Zi.
Acupuncture: BL-18, BL-23, Ren-4, LU-7 on the left with KI-6 on the right,
LIV-8, Ren-3, ST-36, SP-6.
Three Treasures remedy: Precious
Sea.
HEART AND GALL-BLADDER QI DEFICIENCY
Impotence, premature ejaculation, depression, timidity, sighing, insomnia,
palpitations, easily startled, Pale tongue, Weak pulse.
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Du Zhong, Dang Shen, Gan
Cao, Dang Gui.
Acupuncture: HE-7, GB-40, Ren-4, Du-20, ST-36, SP-6, SI-3 on the left with
BL-62 on the right.
Three Treasures remedy: Breaking
Clouds.
HEART-BLOOD DEFICIENCY
Impotence, palpitations, dizziness, depression, insomnia, Pale tongue, Choppy
pulse.
Gui Pi Tang (Bensky, p. 255).
Acupuncture: HE-7, HE-5, SI-3 on the left with BL-62 on the right, Du-24,
Ren-15, Ren-4, Ren-3, BL-15.
Three Treasures remedy: Calm
The Shen.
STASIS OF JING AND PHLEGM
Impotence, pain in the testis and perineum, hypogastric pain, premature greying
of hair, abnormal sperm (motility, shape, etc.), oppression of the chest,
urethral discharge, Purple tongue, Firm-Slippery pulse.
Huo Xue Tong Jing Tang
Dang Gui, He Shou Wu, Yi Mu Cao, Ji Xue Teng, Chuan Niu Xi, Gou Qi Zi, Xue
Jie, Ban Xia, Dan Nan Xing, Gua Lou.
Acupuncture: SP-4 on the left with P-6 on the right, Ren-3, LIV-5, SP-10,
BL-34, ST-40, SP-9.
Three Treasures remedy: Stir
Field of Elixir and Limpid
Sea.
PREMATURE EJACULATION
HEART AND KIDNEYS NOT COMMUNICATING (Heart-
and Kidney-Yin Xu)
Premature ejaculation, 5-palm heat, dizziness, tinnitus, night-sweating,
palpitations, lower backache, depression.
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan plus Jin
Suo Gu Jing Wan (Bensky, p. 360).
Acupuncture: HE-7, KI-7, Ren-15, Du-20, SI-3 on the left and
BL-62 on the right, BL-23, BL-32, Ren-4.
Three Treasures remedy: Heavenly
Empress (Women's
Treasure).
HEART AND KIDNEYS NOT COMMUNICATING (Heart-
and Kidney-Qi Xu)
Premature ejaculation, dizziness, tinnitus, palpitations, lower
backache, depression, pale face.
Gui Pi Tang plus Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Acupuncture: HE-7, KI-7, Ren-15, Du-20, SI-3 on the left and
BL-62 on the right, BL-23, BL-32, Ren-4.
Three Treasures remedy: Calm
the Shen plus Strengthen
the Root.
LOW SPERM COUNT
KIDNEY-YANG DEFICIENCY
Low sperm count, dizziness, tinnitus, lower backache, cold back
and knees, frequent-pale urination, etc. Pale tongue, Weak-Deep
pulse.
WU ZI HENG ZHONG WAN Variation
Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Fu Pen Zi, Che Qian Zi, Sang
Shen Zi (Fructus Mori albi), Fu Zi, Jiu Cai Zi (Semen
Allii tuberosi), Lu Ba Zi (Semen
Trigonellae Foeni-graeci),
She Chuang Zi, Dang Gui, Xu Duan, Dang Shen, Ba Ji Tian, Lu
Jiao Jiao
Acupuncture: SI-3 on the left and BL-62 on the right, BL-23,
Ren-4, KI-13, KI-12, BL-32.
Three Treasures remedy: Strengthen
the Root.
KIDNEY-YIN DEFICIENCY
Low sperm count, dizziness, tinnitus, feeling of heat in the
evening, night sweating, backache, tongue without coating,
Floating-Empty pulse.
Ye Ha Sheng Jing Tang
Mu Dan Pi, Di Gu Pi, Chi Shao, Bai Shao, Shan Zhu Yu, Lian Qiao,
Xia Ku Cao, Chai Hu, Zhu Ye, Fu Ling, Sheng Di Huang, Xuan Shen,
Mai Men Dong, Zhe Bei Mu, Dan Shen, Gou Qi Zi, Yin Yang Huo,
Mu Li.
Acupuncture: Ren-4, LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, Ren-7,
KI-13, KI-12, BL-23.
Three Treasures remedy: Nourish
the Root.
LIVER-QI STAGNATION WITH KIDNEY DEFICIENCY
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Variation
Shu Di, Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Shan Zhu Yu, Lu Jiao Jiao, Shan
Yao, Fu Ling, Huang Bo, Zhi Mu, Suan Zao Ren, Chai Hu, Huai Niu
Xi.
Acupuncture: LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, Ren-4, KI-13,
KI-12, BL-23, LIV-3.
Three Treasures remedy: Release
Constraint plus Strengthen
the Root or Nourish the
Root (the former for Kidney-Yang Xu
and the latter for Kidney-Yin Xu).
DAMP-HEAT IN THE GENITAL SYSTEM
Low sperm count, low motility, difficult urination, turbid urine,
dark urine, painful urination, tongue with sticky-yellow coating
and red spots on the root, Slippery pulse.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Acupuncture: LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, Ren-9, ST-28,
KI-12, Ren-3, BL-22, SP-9.
Three Treasures remedy: Drain
Fire or Separate
Clear and Turbid.
QI STAGNATION AND BLOOD STASIS
Low sperm count, poor motility, distension and discomfort of
testis, pain in perineum, hypogastric pain, prostatic hypertrophy,
Purple tongue.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (Bensky p. 316).
Acupuncture: LIV-3, SP-4 on the left and P-6 on the right, SP-10,
BL-17, KI-14, ST-30.
Three Treasures remedy: Stir
Field of Elixir.
LOW SPERM MOTILITY
KIDNEY-YANG DEFICIENCY
Low sperm motility, pale face, dizziness, backache, pale-frequent
urination, etc.
Shu Di, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Nu Zhen Zi, Han Lian
Cao, Wu Wei Zi, Sang Ji Sheng, Lu Jiao Jiao, Yin Yang Huo,
Suo Yang, Ba Ji Tian, Sha Ren, Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: SI-3 on the left and BL-62 on the right, BL-23,
Ren-4, KI-13, KI-12, BL-32.
Three Treasures remedy: Strengthen
the Root.
KIDNEY-YIN DEFICIENCY WITH EMPTY HEAT
Low sperm motility, backache, dizziness, tinnitus, night-sweating,
5-palm heat, malar flush, nocturnal emissions with dreams,
Red tongue without coating, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse.
Er Xian Tang
Xian Mao, Yin Yang Huo, Ba Ji Tian, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu, Huang
Bo.
Acupuncture: LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, Ren-4,
KI-12, HE-6, KI-3, Ren-7.
Three Treasures remedy: Nourish
the Root or Ease
the Journey - Yin.
THE PROSTATE
The following is a comparison between the Uterus/Ovaries and the prostate/testis/seminarl
vesicles from a Chinese perspective.
| UTERUS - OVARIES |
PROSTATE-TESTICLES SEMINAL VESICLES |
| • |
Uterus muscular tissue |
| - |
Controls the outflow of urine from the bladder and into the urethra. |
| - |
Prostate's fibromuscular tissue is about 30% of
its total tissue mass. |
| - |
This role is more properly that of an organ than that of a gland.
Ovaries produce eggs. |
| - |
The seminal vesicles produce their own seminal
fluid which
nourishes and gives volume to the sperm. |
| - |
Prostate adds its own prostatic
fluid to
this mixture. |
|
| • |
Ovaries mature at puberty |
| - |
Almost all of the prostate's mass develops during puberty
in response to hormonal changes associated with maturation. The
prostate literally doubles in size during puberty. |
|
| • |
Ovaries at peak during |
| - |
Testosterone is at its adolescence peak duringadolescence. It decreases thereafter, and the rate of decrease
sharpens by about age 50. |
|
| • |
Change in balance of Ren |
| - |
During male of Renand Du Mai in an increased ratio of menopause estrogen to testosterone just as in women passing through menopause, the ratio of testosterone to estrogen increases. |
|
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY
The primary effect of BPH is a progressive decrease in the ability to empty
the bladder as the prostate enlarges and applies pressure to the urethra.
Retained urine from this obstruction at first can interfere with sleep
as the sufferer wakes up in the middle of the night. At other times,
pressure may make it impossible to properly control urine flow (incontinence).
Retained urine in the bladder can allow bacterial growth and infection.
Urine may flow back up the tubules to the kidneys and cause infection
there. In severe cases of retention, urine can even find its way into
the blood (uraemia) with toxic consequences.
The clinical manifestations of benign prostatic hypertrophy are:
| • |
Sensation of not emptying bladder completely |
| • |
Frequent urination |
| • |
Micturition stopping and starting |
| • |
Difficult to postpone urination |
| • |
Weak urinary stream |
| • |
Need to push in order to urinate |
| • |
Nocturia |
PATHOLOGY
BIAO: Blood stasis, Dampness, Phlegm, stasis of Jing.
BEN: Kidney deficiency (Yang or Yin), Spleen deficiency, Liver.
CHANNELS: Du Mai, Ren Mai, Chong Mai, Liver, Bladder
BLOOD CONNECTING CHANNELS (LUO)
Blood stasis in prostate is in prostate's Blood Luo channels. Need
herbs that "penetrate the Luo" (tong
Luo): Lu Lu Tong,
Tong Cao, Ju Luo, Si Gua Luo, Lou Lu.
HERBAL STRATEGY
| • |
Invigorate Blood: Lu Lu Tong, Wang Bu Liu Xing, Mu Dan Pi |
| • |
Resolve Dampness: Yi Yi Ren, Bi Xie, Shi Wei, Hai Jin Sha,
Tian Kui Zi |
| • |
Resolve Phlegm: Zhe Bei Mu, Ban Xia, Xia Ku Cao, Dan Nan
Xing, Si Gua Luo |
| • |
Softening: Yi Yi Ren, Zhe Bei Mu, Kun Bu |
| • |
Resolve Toxic Heat: Bai Hua She She Cao, Shan Dou Gen, Tian
Kui Zi |
| • |
Penetrate the Luo: Lu Lu Tong, Tong Cao, Ju Luo, Si Gua Luo,
Lou Lu |
| • |
Open the orifices: Shi Chang Pu |
ACUPUNCTURE
| • |
Du Mai: SI-3 on the left and BL-62 on the right |
| • |
Ren Mai: LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, Ren-2, Ren-3 |
| • |
Chong Mai: SP-4 on the left and P-6 on the right, KI-14 |
| • |
Liver channel: LIV-5, LIV-1, LIV-3 |
| • |
Back-Shu points: BL-32, BL-34 |
| • |
Damp-Phlegm: ST-40, SP-9, BL-22, ST-28, Ren-3, Ren-5 |
| • |
Blood stasis: LIV-3, SP-10, BL-17,
KI-14 |
BLOOD STASIS
Decreased urinary flow, nocturia, hypogastric pain, pain in perineum,
Purple tongue, Wiry, Choppy or Firm pulse. Prostate pulse Wiry.
HU PO SI WU TANG
Shu Di, Bai Shao, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Niu Xi,
Dan Shen, Chuan shan Jia (replace with Zhe Bei Mu), Rou Gui,
Hu Po, Wang Bu Liu Xing.
Acupuncture: BL-32, BL-34, LIV-5, SP-4 with P-6, SP-10, BL-17,
BL-22, LIV-3, LIV-1, Ren-2, KI-14.
Three Treasures remedy: Stir
Field of Elixir and
Clear the Root.
DAMP-PHLEGM
Urinary difficulty, turbid urine, painful urination, stopping and starting,
hypogastric heaviness, feeling of heaviness perineum, tongue Swollen
with sticky coating, Slippery pulse. Prostate pulse Slippery.
CANG FU DAO TAN WAN
Cang Zhu, Fu Zi, Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Fu Ling, Dan Nan Xing, Zhi Shi,
Gan Cao, Yi Yi Ren, Huang Bo.
Acupuncture: LU-7 on the left and KI-6 on the right, ST-28, BL-22,
Ren-3, Ren-9.
Three Treasures remedy: Separate
Clear and Turbid, Clear
the Root.
KIDNEY- AND SPLEEN-YANG DEFICIENCY
Urinary frequency, slight incontinence, dribbling, urgency, cold legs
and knees, lower backache, dizziness, tinnitus, tiredness, depression,
loose stools, Pale tongue, Deep-Weak pulse.
Huang Qi, Dang Shen, Shan Yao, Xu Duan, Sang Ji Sheng, Fu Ling, Ze
Xie, Mu Dan Pi, Wu Yao, Fu Pen Zi.
Acupuncture: BL-20, BL-23, SI-3 with BL-62, Ren-4, Ren-3, KI-13, KI-12,
BL-32, BL-34.
Three Treasures remedy: Strengthen
the Root.
LIVER- AND KIDNEY-YIN DEFICIENCY
Urinary difficulty, dark urine, frequent but scanty urination, night-sweating,
5-palm heat, lower backache, dizziness, tinnitus, tongue without coating,
Floating-Empty pulse.
ZHI BO DI HUANG WAN
Plus: Yi Yi Ren, Shi Wei, Gou Qi Zi, Mu Dan Pi
Acupuncture: Ren-4, KI-13, LU-7 on the left with KI-6 on the right,
Ren-7, Ren-3, BL-32, SP-6.
Three Treasures remedy: Nourish
the Root.
STASIS OF JING
Urinary difficulty, decreased urinary flow, nocturia, hypogastric pain,
pain in perineum, seminal emissions, urethral discharge, Purple tongue,
Wiry, Choppy or Firm pulse. Prostate pulse Wiry.
HUO XUE TONG JING TANG Variation
Dang Gui, He Shou Wu, Yi Mu Cao, Ji Xue Teng, Chuan Niu Xi, Gou Qi
Zi, Xue Jie, Pu Huang, Tao Ren, Wang Bu Liu Xing.
Acupuncture: SP-4 on the left with P-6 on the right , LIV-3, LIV-1,
Ren-3, KI-14, Zigong, BL-32.
Three Treasures remedy: Clear
the Root.
LIVER-QI STAGNATION WITH DAMP-PHLEGM
Urinary difficulty, retention of urine when under stress, hypogastric
distension, irritability, turbid urine, hypogastric heaviness, feeling
of heaviness perineum, tongue red on the side, Swollen with sticky
coating, Slippery-Wiry pulse. Prostate pulse Wiry.
SHU GAN SAN JIE FANG
Chai Hu, Dan Shen, Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Chuan Niu Xi, Mu Li, Xuan Shen,
Zhe Bei Mu, Xia Ku Cao, Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Hai Fu Shi.
Acupuncture: SP-4 with P-6, LIV-3, LIV-5, Du-24, Ren-15, KI-14, Ren-3,
SP-9, ST-40, ST-28.
Three Treasures remedy: Clear
the Root and
Break into a Smile.
PROSTATITIS
DAMP-HEAT IN LOWER BURNER
Acute pain on urination, frequency, urgency, urinary difficulty,
pain in the genitalia radiating to the groin, fever, headache, body
aches, aversion to cold, Red tongue with sticky-yellow coating on
root, Slippery-Rapid pulse.
Wang Bu Liu Xing, Huang Bo, Bai Jiang Cao, Pu Gong Ying, Chi Shao,
Yan Hu Suo, Mu Dan Pi, Jiao Ci, Mu Xiang, Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: BL-32, BL-34, BL-22, Ren-3, KI-11, Ren-2, SP-9, ST-28,
L.I.-11
Three Treasures remedy: Clear
the Root.
KIDNEY DEFICIENCY WITH DAMP-HEAT IN LOWER BURNER
Chronic dull pain on urination, frequency, urgency, urinary difficulty,
dull ache in the genitalia radiating to the groin, lower backache,
dizziness, tinnnitus, tongue with sticky-yellow coating on root,
Slippery-Weak pulse.
Wang Bu Liu Xing, Huang Bo, Chi Shao, Yan Hu Suo, Mu Dan Pi, Jiao
Ci, Mu Xiang, Gan Cao, Tu Si Zi, Gou Qi Zi.
Acupuncture: BL-32, BL-34, BL-22, Ren-3, KI-11, Ren-2, SP-9, ST-28,
L.I.-11
Three Treasures remedy: Water
Passages.
CHRONIC PROSTATITIS
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the
prostate and may involve considerable pain, whereas BPH may not
involve any pain at all (as opposed to discomfort). Prostatitis
is fairly common in adult males and has been classified into four
types. Only 5 percent of all cases at most consist of either acute or
chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Nonbacterial prostatitis comprises
64 percent of cases and prostatodynia makes up another 31
percent.
Acute
prostatitis is the result of bacterial infection, usually E.
coli,
and typically begins with the fever, chills and other symptoms which bacterial
infections bring on. Pain in the lower back and in the area between the scrotum
and the anus are typical, as is difficult and/or painful urination, increased
frequency of urination, etc. Acute prostatitis is most commonly found in young
sexually active men, and this may be the source of infection, especially if
there are many different sexual partners. Treatment includes antibiotics and
is usually effective.
Chronic
prostatitis can be related to failed treatment of acute prostatitis
or it may develop on its own. It involves frequently recurrent low-level infections
of the prostate which usually involve the same strain of bacteria. Symptoms
include frequent and painful urination and nocturia. Stones or calculi made
up of urinary components are often found in the prostatic ducts, and this implies
a reflux of urine into these areas. Antibiotics fail as a treatment in cases
of chronic prostatitis because they cannot eliminate the bacteria which are
found in these stones, hence there is a constant source for reinfection.
Another
factor often found is a lack of zinc in prostatic fluid. Prostatic fluid is
continuously released and contains a potent antibacterial factor which includes
free zinc as the most active ingredient. Men with low levels of zinc in their
prostatic fluid seem especially prone to chronic prostatitis.
Nonbacterial
prostatitis is the most common of the prostatic conditions. It is characterized
by an unusally high number and activity of inflammatory cells in the prostate.
The resulting inflammation resembles that found in chronic prostatitis, but
there is neither a history of infection nor do cultures (for bacteria) prove
positive. Along with the symptoms found in bacterial infections, post-ejaculatory
pain and discomfort are typical of this form of prostatitis. Conventional medical
treatments do not yield good results. Abstaining from alcohol and spicy foods
helps in some cases.
Prostatodynia,
which is most common in young and middle aged men, presents many
symptoms similar to chronic prostatitis, but lacks the excessive
number of inflammatory cells. Pain and/or discomfort in the groin,
perineum, testicles, lower back and penis seem to characterize this
condition. Smooth muscle spasms in the prostatic portion of the urethra
and in the neck of the bladder are at work here. The subsequent reflux
of urine into prostatic and ejaculatory ducts causes a chemically-induced
inflammation. Fatigue in the muscles in the pelvic region and emotional
stress appear to be powerful contributory factors in prostatodynia.
Prostate
cancer in 1995 afflicted one out of six American men. At autopsy, between
10 and 30 percent of men over the age of 50 show some malignant cells in the
prostate, and by age 90 the rate approaches 100 percent. Environment and diet
appear to be primary causative factors. The symptoms of prostate cancer can
be very similar to BPH or to the four forms of prostatitis. Often, prostate
cancer gives rise to no symptoms at all. Only medical examinations are useful
in diagnosing prostate cancer, in particular the new blood test for prostatic
specific antigen (PSA). However, even the PSA test gives rise to many both
false positives and false negatives.
DAMP-HEAT IN LOWER BURNER
Acute pain on urination, frequency, urgency, urinary difficulty,
pain in the genitalia radiating to the groin, fever, headache,
body aches, aversion to cold, Red tongue with sticky-yellow coating
on root, Slippery-Rapid pulse.
Wang Bu Liu Xing, Huang Bo, Bai Jiang
Cao, Pu Gong Ying, Chi Shao, Yan Hu Suo, Mu Dan Pi, Chuan Shan Jia,
Jiao Ci, Mu Xiang, Gan Cao.
Acupuncture: BL-32, BL-34, BL-22, Ren-3, KI-11, Ren-2, SP-9, ST-28,
L.I.-11, SP-4 on the left and P-6 on the right (Chong Mai).
Three Treasures remedy: Clear
the Root.
KIDNEY-QI DEFICIENCY WITH DAMPNESS
Chronic urinary difficulty, turbid urine, frequency, urgency and
pain, whitish discharge at the end of urination, dull ache in the
genitals radiating to the groin, Pale tongue, Soggy pulse.
Bi Xie, Tu Si Zi, Niu Xi, Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Che Qian Zi, Wu Yao,
Shi Chang Pu, Ma Pian Cao (Herba Verbenae), Gan Cao, Sha Yuan
Zi (Semen Astragali), Yi Zhi Ren, Shan Yao.
Acupuncture: BL-32, Ren-4, Ren-3, ST-28, SI-3 on the left with BL-62
on the right (Du Mai), SP-9, KI-7, BL-22, BL-23, BL-20.
Three Treasures remedy: Separate
Clear and Turbid plus Strengthen
the Root.
END NOTES
Wu Qian 1977 Golden Mirror of Medicine (Yi Zong Jin Jian [#ch]), People's
Health Publishing House, Beijing, p. 129. First published in 1742.
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