TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Incontinence & Urinary Frequency

Incontinence and Urinary frequency is a loss of bladder control (in the first instance) or a loss of Bladder tone in the second.

These conditions may be acute or chronic. In acute cases, Heat or Damp-Heat are often involved, and these may be associated with infection.

Chronic cases are often due to deficiency, especially in the aged. Kidney Yin or Yang deficiency can be causitive factors, and with these, there is often a loss of Kidney function, resulting in Incontinence, Frequent Urination, or Nocturnal Urination.

The Kidneys can lose their ability to withhold Urine, and may have Qi, Yin oir Essence depletion associated. This was part of what was called the “Retentive Faculty” in the Western Tradition, that is, that part which allows for the proper holding of food and fluids until the proper time for them to be eliminated. The rententive Faculty of the lower abdomen is especially associated with the Kidneys, the Kidney Yang in particular.

Western Tradition

General for Incontinence & Urinary Frequency

1. Purslane, Pomegranate and Shepherd’s Purse taken in food.
2. Galangal stops incontinence when it comes from a Cold cause.
3. Myrrh taken with wine
4. Confected Yellow Myrobalan taken every morning.
5. Chicken Gizzard skin with Agrimony
6. A Hares Brain, dried and powdered and taken with wine stops Incontinence. (Culpeper)
7. The dried and powdered Bladder of a Sheep or Goat was commended for Incontinence of urine.

Decoction of Hemp Seed
Decoction for Bedwetting
Syrup of Betony (Pharmacopoeia Augustana)
Powder Against Incontinence
Powder for Incontinence
Powder for Incontinence (Alexander Benedictus)
Powder for Incontinence (Rhasis)
Powder for Incontinence (Unani)
Electuary for Incontinence (Riverius)
Electuary of Frankincense (Unani)
Wine for Incontinence
Tincture of St. John’s wort

Incontinence & Frequent Urination from Cold

1. Agrimony powder 1 dram with wine
2. Chew Cumin seed before bed.
3. Ashes of Sheep or Goat bladder taken with water and vinegar. Or Ram or Pig bladder boiled and drunk; Or Sheep or Goat Bladder dried and powdered and taken in wine.
4. Fox, Rabbit, Hare or Rooster testicles boiled in wine, or powdered and taken with wine.
5. Comb of a Rooster, burnt and taken in powder. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘)
6. Dried Liver of a Crow
7. Brain of a Hare or Rabbit powdered and taken in wine
8. Chicken Gizzard skin ½ oz., Burnt Hedgehog 3/4 oz., Agrimony 1 oz,. Powder. Take 2 drams before bed with wine or broth. (A famous powder from Montagnana)

Mithridate
Cardamon 19 (Sug smel bcu dgu) (Tibetan)

Incontinence & Frequent Urination from Heat

1. Yellow Myrobalan with Cassia Fistula
2. Powdered Snails taken in wine was commended as effective.

Decoction of Hemp Seed

TCM Classification

Damp Heat

frequent burning urine, incontinence or urgent urination with high colored smelling urine, pain in the pubic area, lower back pain, nausea, bitter taste, thirst, fever in acute case.
Ba Zheng San
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Qi Stagnation

frequent urine, hypochondriac discomfort, dizziness, fatigue, depression, irritability, maybe constipation and diarrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, tender breasts.
Xiao Yao San
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

Qi Deficiency

frequent urination, incontinence, fatigue, poor appetite, shortness of breath, abdominal distension, pale face, weak pulse
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Yang Deficiency

frequent urine, incontinence, nocturnal urination, pale complexion, fatigue, hates the cold, cold feet, back pain, weak knees, impotence, deep, slow pulse.
Sang Piao Xiao San
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
You Gui Wan
Tu Si Zi Wan

Yin Deficiency / Deficient Heat

frequent scanty urine, incontinence, dry mouth, night sweats, restless, insomnia, heat in the palms and soles, facial flushing, dizziness, tinnitus, lower back pain, dry skin
Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan

Loss of Kidney Retention / Loss of Essence

frequnet urine, dribbling urine, lower back pain, similkar to Yang deficiency, but with more weakness and wasting (Yang deficiency principally marked by Cold symptoms).
Fu Tu Dan

Special Formulas

Bedwetting in Children:

1. Agrimony (1–2 drams) with broth
2. Powder of a Goats Bladder
3. Chicken Gizzard skin 1 part
Agrimony 2 parts
Powder and give 1–2 drams in broth.

POWDER FOR INCONTINENCE

    Acorn                                        50 drams
    Frankincense                          30 drams
    Coriander
    Armenian Earth
    Gum Arabic                             10 drams ea.
Dose: 3 drams. (Formulary of al Samarqandi)

ANOTHER POWDER:

    Acorn
    Frankincense
    Cumin
    Myrtle berries                          equal parts
Dose: 3 drams (Formulary of al Samarqandi)

ELECTUARY FOR INCONTIENENCE

    Tabasheer
    Balsam wood
    Costus
    Sandalwood
    Purslane seed
    Tragacanth
    Gum Arabic
    Starch
    Madder
    Barberry root
    Endive seed
    Armenian Earth                        4 drams ea.
    Sugar                                         1 oz.
Powder and with sufficient Honey of Roses, form an Electuary. Take 1 oz. each morning. (Secrets of Alexis)

Research:

1. Efficacy of mace (Arils of Myristica fragrans Houtt) plus pelvic floor muscle training on symptoms in mixed urinary incontinence: a randomized placebo-controlled trial