Medicine Traditions
  • Home
  • Materia Medica
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine FREE
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO
    • Animal Materia Medica PRO
    • Animal Materia Medica FREE
    • Mineral Materia Medica PRO
    • Mineral Materia Medica FREE
  • About
  • Formulas
  • Treatment
    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
    • Treatment of Specific Conditions
    • Diseases and Formulas
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
    • Theory
    • Timeline
    • Authors and Sources
    • Glossaries
    • Articles on Traditional Medicine
    • Photos
    • Medicine Pictures
    • Substitute Medicines
  • Patient Resources
  • Links & Texts
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...

Edema



Edema, traditionally called Dropsy, is the collection of Fluid in the tissues or cavities of the body. It may be acute or chronic, and associated with excess or deficiency. However, in general, Edema is associated with Damp-Phlegm.

The Greeks divided Edema into several types:
  • Anasarca: it was called Leucophlegmatia Hydrops (‘White-Phlegmy Edema’) by Galen, this type of Edema is characterised by water lying between the skin and flesh, with generalised swelling of the whole body. When the skin is pressed, it stays depressed with a dent after the finger is removed (‘pitting’). The pulse is slow and forceless. This is the Cold Damp-type Edema. If there is deficiency, it is associated with Yang deficiency.
  • Tympanites: this is an Edema caused by Wind, not Water. The abdomen is puffed up and sounds drum-like when concussed (hence its name). The navel is also sometimes pushed forth. In chronic conditions, the rest of the body may waste, while the abdomen stays distended or swollen. This is a Wind (or Qi)-type Edema which obstructs fluids.
  • Ascites: collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

The primary treatment is with diuretics (classed as Medicines that Clear Damp in TCM). Warm or cold medicines are chosen depending on if Damp is with Cold or Heat. Chronic cases require strengthening medicines. In the Western Tradition, the Humor is prepared, then purged.

Diet plays a major role in the treatment of Edema. Cold, raw foods and drinks are to be avoided, while warming and diuretic foods should be encouraged, such as Celery, Pumpkin, Barley, Beans etc.

The 'Opening Roots' and 'Warming Seeds' are of prime importance in the treatment of Edema in the Western Tradition.


See also
Ascites


Western Tradition

Hydropisi conferunt – Edema

Agaric
Asarum
Colocynth
Whey

Decoction of Parsley and Thyme
Decoction of Parsley Compound
Decoction of Woods

Syrup of Agrimony (Mesue)
Syrup of Wormwood (Mesue)
Diuretic Syrup
Syrup of Two Opening Roots
Syrup of Five Opening Roots

Wine for Edema
Troches of Rose (Mesue)
Troches of Rhubarb (Mesue)
Troches of Aloeswood (Trochisci Aquilaria) (Mesue)
Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacurcuma Minus) (Mesue)
Electuary of Saffron Greater (Diacurcuma Major) (Mesue)
Electuary of Costus (Diacostum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Sulphur (Diasulph
ur) (Mesue)
Theriac of 4 Ingredients (Diatessaron)
Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minor) (Mesue)
Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca Majores) (M.)
Powder for Edema (Nicholas)
Powder for Edema (Wirtzung)
Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minor) (Mesue)
Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca Majores) (M.)
Troches of Rhubarb
Troches of Agaric
Antidote for Edema (Nicholas)

Pills of Rhubarb

Tribulus 3 Decoction (Gze ma gsum thang) (Tibetan)
Mandala of the Sun (Se bru nye dkyil) (Tibetan)


TCM Classification

Damp
Poor appetite, felling of fullness, heaviness, sweet taste, no thirst, loose stool, fatigue, pale complexion, pale tongue with a smooth or sticky coat and a slow, slippery pulse

Fu Ling Gui Zhi Gan Cao Da Zao Tang

Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Li Zhong Wan
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Di Tan Tang



Yang Deficiency
Edema worse in the lower extremities, lower back pain, feels cold, pale complexion, impotence, pale and wet tongue, deep weak pulse

Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Zhen Wu Tang
You Gui Wan
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan


Mandala of the Sun (Se bru nye dkyil) (Tibetan)





Special Formulas

ANTIDOTE OF ASCLEPIDAS
    Madder
    Gentian
    Maidenhair
    Parsley seed
    Mustard seed
    Cucumber seed
    Pepper
    Spikenard
    Costus
    Agrimony
    Oregano
    Nigella                       equal parts
Powder, mix with Honey. (Syrian 'Book of Medicine', Budge, 1913)

PILLS FOR EDEMA
    Aloe                            6 drams
    Dodder                      3 drams
    Rhubarb
    Asarum
    Agaric                        4 drams each
    Saffron
    Spikenard                 3 drams each
    Parsley seed            1 dram

PILLS OF BDELLIUM FOR EDMEA
    Bdellium
    Colocynth pulp
    Agaric
    Scammony               equal parts
Form pills with wine. (Syrian 'Book of Medicine', Budge, 1913)

Home
ABOUT
Brief Overview
RESOURCES
Timeline

materia medica – FREE
Materia Medica – PRO
Chinese Classification
Western Classification

Humoral Medicine

Diseases & Formulas
Resources
Theory
Links & Texts
Patient Resources

Shop
Texts for Sale
Contact us

TERMS OF USE
PRIVACY POLICY


© MedicineTradition 2015–2023
  • Home
  • Materia Medica
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine FREE
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO
    • Animal Materia Medica PRO
    • Animal Materia Medica FREE
    • Mineral Materia Medica PRO
    • Mineral Materia Medica FREE
  • About
  • Formulas
  • Treatment
    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
    • Treatment of Specific Conditions
    • Diseases and Formulas
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
    • Theory
    • Timeline
    • Authors and Sources
    • Glossaries
    • Articles on Traditional Medicine
    • Photos
    • Medicine Pictures
    • Substitute Medicines
  • Patient Resources
  • Links & Texts
  • Contact Us
  • Blog