Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Approach to Treating Diabetes with Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture
Diabetes mellitus falls under the category of “Xiao Ke” (消渴) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The primary pathogenesis is attributed to yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, often accompanied by qi and yin deficiency, and in advanced cases, yin-yang deficiency. TCM treatment focuses on herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments to restore balance, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications.
I. Herbal Medicine for Diabetes Treatment
TCM treats diabetes based on syndrome differentiation and prescribes corresponding herbal formulas accordingly.
1. Upper Xiao (Lung Heat Injuring Fluids) – Excessive Thirst and Drinking
• Treatment Principle: Clear heat, moisten the lungs, and generate fluids.
• Representative Formulas:
• Xiao Ke Fang (Tian Hua Fen, Mai Dong, Sheng Di Huang, Huang Lian)
• Yu Quan San ( Sheng Di Huang, Tian Hua Fen, Ge Gen, Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi)
2. Middle Xiao (Excessive Stomach Fire) – Excessive Hunger
• Treatment Principle: Clear stomach fire, nourish yin, and promote fluid production.
• Representative Formulas:
• Bai Hu Tang ( Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, Gan Cao, Jing Mi)
• For qi deficiency, add Huang Qi and Dang Shen to strengthen the spleen.
3. Lower Xiao (Kidney Yin Deficiency) – Frequent Urination and Weight Loss
• Treatment Principle: Nourish kidney yin, consolidate essence, and reduce excessive urination.
• Representative Formula:
• Modified Liu Wei Di Huang Wan ( Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu, Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Mu Dan Pi)
• Add Zhi Mu and Huang Bai to enhance yin-nourishing and fire-clearing effects.
4. Qi and Yin Deficiency – Fatigue, Thirst, and Red Tongue with Little Coating
• Treatment Principle: Tonify qi, nourish yin, and generate fluids.
• Representative Formulas:
• Sheng Mai San ( Ren Shen, Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi) combined with Yu Quan San.
5. Yin-Yang Deficiency – Cold Limbs, Lower Back and Knee Weakness, Frequent Urination
• Treatment Principle: Warm yang, tonify qi, nourish yin, and strengthen the kidneys.
• Representative Formula:
• Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan ( Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu, Gui Zhi, Fu Zi, Ze Xie, Fu Ling, Mu Dan Pi)
In addition, blood-activating herbs such as Dan Shen , Chi Shao , Tao Ren , and Hong Hua can help improve circulation and prevent complications.
II. Acupuncture for Diabetes Treatment
Acupuncture helps regulate organ function, promote qi and blood circulation, and improve glucose metabolism.
1. Commonly Used Acupoints:
• Regulating the Spleen and Kidney: Pi Shu , Shen Shu , Wei Shu
• Nourishing Yin and Kidney: Tai Xi , San Yin Jiao
• Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach: Zu San Li , Zhong Wan
• Clearing Heat and Lowering Blood Sugar: Qu Chi , He Gu
• Regulating the Pancreas: Yi Shu , located at T8-T10 on the back
2. Syndrome-Specific Acupuncture Adjustments:
• Lung Heat Type: Shao Shang , Yu Ji
• Stomach Fire Type: Nei Ting , Li Dui
• Kidney Yin Deficiency Type: Ran Gu , Zhao Hai
• Qi and Yin Deficiency Type: Guan Yuan , Qi Hai
• Yin-Yang Deficiency Type: Ming Men , Guan Yuan , Tai Xi
3. Acupuncture Techniques:
• Use a neutral reinforcement-reduction method with needle retention for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times per week.
• Electroacupuncture on Yi Shu and Zu San Li can enhance pancreatic function.
• Auricular acupuncture (Ear acupressure on the pancreas, spleen, kidney, and endocrine points) can further support treatment.
III. Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments
1. Dietary Recommendations:
• Focus on low-sugar, low-fat, and high-fiber foods such as oats, bitter melon, pumpkin, yam, coix seed, and cassia seeds.
• Avoid spicy, greasy, and overly sweet foods, and limit alcohol consumption.
• Drink herbal teas such as bitter melon tea, corn silk tea, and goji berry chrysanthemum tea to help regulate blood sugar.
2. Lifestyle Modifications:
• Engage in moderate exercise such as Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin to enhance insulin sensitivity.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule, reduce stress, and avoid staying up late, as this can exacerbate liver and kidney yin deficiency.
Conclusion
TCM treats diabetes by focusing on holistic regulation through herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and lifestyle modifications. While TCM cannot fully replace Western hypoglycemic medications, it serves as an important complementary therapy—especially for improving constitution, preventing complications, and enhancing quality of life. Clinical treatment should be individualized based on syndrome differentiation to achieve optimal results.
