Recommended Chinese Patent Medicines and Key Syndrome Differentiation for Chronic Cystitis

Chronic cystitis is not a rare condition; its incidence is particularly high among middle-aged and elderly women and those with poor lifestyle habits. Once it develops, it can significantly impact quality of life. Imagine constantly feeling the urge to urinate, being unable to hold it in, or even feeling pain when urinating. Whether at work, in class, or going out, one’s mind is always preoccupied with finding a restroom. It feels like carrying a heavy burden all the time—truly uncomfortable.

What makes it worse is that this condition tends to recur frequently. Many patients try various treatments but fail to achieve lasting results. Each relapse requires new treatment, which not only causes physical suffering but also mental exhaustion. Many people feel deeply frustrated because of it.

When it comes to treating chronic cystitis, Chinese patent medicines offer distinct advantages. Unlike some Western medicines that may produce noticeable side effects, these traditional formulas are generally milder, aiming to regulate the body as a whole while providing therapeutic effects. The treatment philosophy focuses on restoring the body’s internal balance rather than merely suppressing surface symptoms — a crucial approach when dealing with chronic illnesses.

I. Key Points in TCM Syndrome Differentiation for Chronic Cystitis

TCM Understanding of Chronic Cystitis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is no exact term for “chronic cystitis.” It is usually categorized under “Lin Zheng” (stranguria syndrome) or “Niao Zhuo” (turbid urine). According to TCM, this condition is mainly associated with damp-heat accumulation in the lower burner, spleen deficiency with dampness retention, or kidney deficiency.

For example:

Frequent consumption of spicy or greasy foods, or staying in damp environments, can lead to internal damp-heat that descends to the bladder, causing discomfort.

A weak spleen and stomach may result in poor digestion and absorption, preventing fluids from being properly metabolized, which affects the bladder.

Aging, chronic fatigue, or overwork can weaken kidney qi, impairing bladder function and leading to urinary issues.

II. Recommended Chinese Patent Medicines

(1) Damp-Heat Accumulation Type

1. Longdan Xiegan Wan (Gentiana Liver-Purging Pill)

Ingredients: Gentiana root (Longdan Cao), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Gardenia (Zhizi), and others.

Functions: Clears heat, drains dampness, and relieves stranguria and pain. It helps remove damp-heat from the body and soothes the bladder.

Applicable Symptoms: Urinary frequency, urgency, and pain; red tongue with yellow, greasy coating; rapid, forceful pulse — all typical signs of damp-heat type cystitis.

Cautions: Use with caution during pregnancy or if you have spleen-stomach deficiency and coldness, as it may cause abdominal discomfort.

2. Bazheng Heji (Eight-Herb Mixture for Clearing Heat)

Ingredients: Plantago seed (Cheqianzi), Dianthus (Qumai), Polygonum (Bianxu), and others.

Functions: Clears heat, purges fire, promotes urination, and alleviates stranguria caused by damp-heat in the bladder.

Applicable Symptoms: Frequent, urgent, painful urination with dark-yellow urine.

Cautions: Avoid spicy and irritating foods during medication, as they can weaken the drug’s effects or aggravate symptoms.

(2) Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Type

1. Buzhong Yiqi Wan (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Pill)

Ingredients: Astragalus (Huangqi), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Atractylodes (Baizhu), and others.

Functions: Tonifies the middle burner, boosts qi, and raises yang, strengthening spleen and stomach functions to help eliminate internal dampness.

Applicable Symptoms: Urinary frequency and urgency accompanied by fatigue, weakness, pale swollen tongue, and weak pulse — typical of spleen deficiency with dampness.

Cautions: Not suitable for patients with internal damp-heat, as it may worsen the condition.

2. Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder)

Ingredients: Ginseng (Renshen), Poria (Fuling), Atractylodes (Baizhu), and others.

Functions: Strengthens the spleen, augments qi, drains dampness, and stops diarrhea — both tonifying and dampness-resolving.

Applicable Symptoms: Frequent urination, poor appetite, fatigue, pale tongue, and weak pulse.

Cautions: Avoid taking this medicine during acute infections or fever; wait until recovery.

(3) Kidney Deficiency Type

1. Jinkui Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet)

Ingredients: Prepared Rehmannia (Shudihuang), Cornus (Shanzhuyu), Yam (Shanyao), and others.

Functions: Warms and tonifies kidney yang, promotes qi transformation, and improves water metabolism.

Applicable Symptoms: Frequent urination, nocturia, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, pale tongue, and weak pulse — typical of kidney yang deficiency.

Cautions: Avoid in cases of yin deficiency with internal heat, as it may worsen fire symptoms.

2. Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill)

Ingredients: Prepared Rehmannia (Shudihuang), Cornus (Shanzhuyu), Yam (Shanyao), and others.

Functions: Nourishes kidney yin and alleviates symptoms of yin deficiency.

Applicable Symptoms: Frequent urination, excessive night urination, dizziness, tinnitus, red tongue with scant coating, and thin rapid pulse — indicating kidney yin deficiency.

Cautions: Use with caution if you have spleen-stomach coldness, as it may cause digestive discomfort.

III. Advantages and Limitations of Using Chinese Patent Medicines for Chronic Cystitis

Advantages:

The biggest benefit of Chinese patent medicines in treating chronic cystitis is their mild nature and low risk of side effects, making them safe for long-term use.

Limitations:

However, these medicines also have some drawbacks. Their onset is relatively slow, so they may not control acute flare-ups quickly. Moreover, since the formula composition is fixed, they lack individualization compared with decoctions that can be adjusted according to specific conditions.

In this regard, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill provides a more personalized approach. It can be adjusted based on each patient’s syndrome differentiation, ensuring a customized treatment plan. With over 50 herbal ingredients, the pill addresses multiple symptoms simultaneously — making it particularly suitable for recurrent or treatment-resistant chronic cystitis.

IV. Conclusion

Chronic cystitis’s recurrent nature indeed makes it a frustrating condition. Chinese patent medicines play a significant role in its management, offering gentle yet effective support. Still, one must understand both their strengths and limitations. When necessary, combining them with Western medications or physical therapy can help achieve better control and reduce recurrence rates.