Chinese herbs for cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disorder that mainly affects women. It commonly starts around 40, rarely in earlier age. Diagnose includes cytoscope, urine tests, physical examination of bladder and Hunner’s ulcerations (glomerulations).

IC Symptoms

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis are frequent and urgent urination, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse accompanied with migraine, fatigue, fibromyalgia, vulvadynia and irritable bowel syndrome. Certain foods like alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, spices and sugar subtitle may prompt the symptoms. Symptom that follows Interstitial cystitis is the pain caused when bladder starts to fill and patients frequently urinate to alleviate the pain.

Another cause of Interstitial cystitis may be autoimmune disorder since the symptoms include fibromyalgia, vulvadynia and multiple pain syndromes as well as flare-ups and remissions.

Chinese MedicineTherapy commonly used for IC include anti-inflammatory agent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) but because of lack of success and limited number of offered therapies, patients sometimes turn to alternative methods such as Chinese medicine. Since IC is relatively new disorder, Chinese medicine, using modern diagnostic results, utilizes herbs that are applied for conditions with similar symptoms. Herbs given to Interstitial cystitis patients include those that are used for urinary tract infections, bladder syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, heat syndrome and herbs for blood vitalization and bleeding restraining..Chinese Herbal Formulas

For treatment of urinary bladder syndromes Chinese medicine practitioners usually include Bazheng San (8-herb rectifying powder). It is used for relieving the symptoms of painful void. This formula consists of following herbs in equal proportion: Bazheng San, Plantago seed, Dianthus, Polygonum, Akebia (Pyrrosia might be given instead), Talc, Gardenia (can be removed in case of heat syndrome absence), Rhubarb and Licorice. This powder is taken in dosage of 6-9 g.

For blood stasis: commonly used herbs include: Pteropus with Typha, Myrrh with Frankiencense and Corydalis.

For endometrosis: Succinum with Rhubarb for alleviating abdominal pain.

Interstitial cystitis formula given in powder form, for reducing inflammation and pain as well as general healing, consists of Plantago seed, Dianthus, Polygonum, Pyrrosia, Abilation, Rhubarb, Talc, Juncus, Licorice, Typha, myrrh, Pteropus, Frankincense and Corydalis.

In US common formula for Interstitial cystitis is based on Gardenia, Rhubarb and Bazhen San combination. The teas includes Gardenia, Rhubarb, Rehmannia, Discorea, Hoelen, Cornus, Cuscuta, Curculingo, Morinda and Anemarrhena.

AcupunctureIn case of IC, acupuncture is used for treating symptoms of the disease. Acupuncture targets abdominal pain and region of the bladder. Points are CV-3, CV-4, CV-6, GV-4, from BL-22 to BL-35 and from BL-51 to BL-54. For difficulties with urination SP-9 spot is treated.