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 Mithridate Cardamon 19 (Sug smel bcu dgu) (Tibetan) 1. Chicken Gizzard skin half oz. Burnt Hedgehog 3/4 oz. Agrimony 1 oz,. Powder. Take 2 drams before bed with wine or broth. (A famous powder from Montagnana) 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) |