theory, always due to Kidney-Yang deficiency. There certainly is a
Kidney-Yang deficiency as shown by the general cold feeling, the
oedema itself, the backache, the loose stools and the very Weak pulse.
However, there are also a few signs of Kidney-Yin deficiency: the
slightly Red and Stiff tongue (which, apart from Wind, may indicate
Yin deficiency), the burning sensation of her feet and the dark urine.
Obviously the primary condition is Kidney-Yang deficiency but, as
often happens in women, this can overlap with Kidney-Yin deficiency.
Since she has been suffering from kidney-Yang deficiency for a very
long time, her condition is just at the point of transition from Yang to
Yin deficiency. Without treatment, her tongue would become redder and
redder and she would develop more Yin-deficiency symptoms such as a
feeling of heat, hot flushes and night-sweating. There is also another
possible interpretation of the presence of Kidney-Yin deficiency
symptoms: it could be that the long-term use of diuretics has depleted
Kidney-Yin. By removing Water (a Yin substance) from the body,
diuretics may quite possibly lead to a deficiency of Kidney-Yin.Treatment principle The treatment principle adopted was to tonify Kidney-Yang and resolve
oedema. As there is also a deficiency of Kidney-Yin, the action of the
warm herbs which tonify Kidney-Yang was moderated by the addition
of some cool herbs to nourish Yin.
She was treated with both acupuncture and herbs.Acupuncture The main points used (with reinforcing method to tonify the Kidneys
and even method to resolve oedema) were selected from the following:
ST-36 Zusanli, SP- 6 Sanyinjiao, BL-20 Pishu and BL-21 Weishu to
tonify Spleen and Stomach.BL-23 Shenshu and KI-7 Fuliu to tonify Kidney-Yang.BL-22 Sanjiaoshu, Ren-9 Shuifen, SP-9 Yinlingquan and SP-6
Sanyinjiao to drain Dampness and resolve oedema.KI-3 Taixi and Ren-4 Guanyuan, without moxa, to nourish Kidney-Yin.Herbal treatment The prescription used was a variation of Zhen Wu Tang True Warrior
Decoction and Wu Ling San Five "Ling" Powder:
Fu Zi Radix Aconiti carmichaeli praeparata 4 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 9 g
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 15 g
Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae albae 6 g
Sheng Jiang Rhizoma Zingiberis officinalis recens 3 slices
Zhu Ling Sclerotium Polypori umbellati 6 g