Fructus Psoraleae: Warming and Tonifying the Spleen and Kidney, Treating Frequent Urination and Diarrhea

Fructus Psoraleae: Warming and Tonifying the Spleen and Kidney, Treating Frequent Urination and DiarrheaFructus Psoraleae, the fruit of a legume plant, is relatively common in the wild, yet remains unfamiliar to many. Its black-coated fruits are a valuable herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), awaiting discovery by those who seek its benefits

Fructus Psoraleae: Warming and Tonifying the Spleen and Kidney, Treating Frequent Urination and Diarrhea

Fructus Psoraleae, the fruit of a legume plant, is relatively common in the wild, yet remains unfamiliar to many. Its black-coated fruits are a valuable herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), awaiting discovery by those who seek its benefits. Possessing a warm nature and entering the spleen and kidney meridians, it has the function of warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney, and astringing and consolidating. This makes it widely used in the field of TCM.

• Warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney refers to replenishing the yang energy of these organs. The body's fluid metabolism and digestion rely on yang energy, with the spleen and kidney yang being particularly crucial. Insufficient spleen and kidney yang often manifests as frequent urination and diarrhea. For instance, the need to urinate immediately after drinking water, or diarrhea triggered by cold food or fruit, are common symptoms. These can be improved by warming and tonifying both the spleen and kidney yang.

• Fructus Psoraleaes astringent and consolidating action is like a "bag," containing precious substances within the body and preventing their leakage. The ancient medical text Yuqiu Yaojie records: "Fructus Psoraleae warms the water and soil (referring to the body's fluids and essence), digests food, ascends and nourishes the liver and spleen, and effectively addresses various symptoms of looseness and leakage." Yaoxing Lun notes: "Fructus Psoraleae dispels various cold-damp arthralgia, stops frequent urination, and treats abdominal coldness." This illustrates its broad efficacy, suitable for individuals of different ages and corresponding constitutions.

The renowned TCM expert, Mr. Zhu Liangchun, was particularly skilled in using Fructus Psoraleae to treat frequent urination in children. In October 2003, a five-year-old girl, accompanied by her parents, sought his consultation. The girl needed to urinate every ten minutes for nearly a month. Aside from frequent urination, she showed no other discomfort and remained in good spirits. Her parents had already taken her for various examinations, ruling out any organic lesions, and had also tried Western medicine and umbilical therapy, all to no avail.

• After a thorough understanding of the case, Mr. Zhu diagnosed her condition as spleen and kidney yang deficiency and prescribed a simple yet effective formula, with Fructus Psoraleae as a key ingredient. He instructed her parents to add red dates while decocting for better taste. Three days later, the girl's parents returned, expressing their gratitude to Mr. Zhu, confirming the remarkable efficacy of Fructus Psoraleae in treating their daughter's frequent urination.

• Frequent urination and diarrhea caused by spleen and kidney yang deficiency are the primary indications for Fructus Psoraleae. A common method of use is: 1 Qian (approximately 3.75 grams) of salt-fried Fructus Psoraleae, decocted in water. For severe yang deficiency, dysfunction of warming function, and accompanying coldness in the waist, abdomen, and buttocks, salt-fried Foeniculum vulgare (small fennel) can be added to enhance its cold-dispelling effect. This combination originates from the Song Dynasty medical text Shengji Zonglu.

The warming and tonifying effects of Fructus Psoraleae are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Warming and Tonifying Spleen Yang: Spleen yang is the source of the body's Qi and blood generation. Spleen yang deficiency leads to disordered transportation and transformation functions, easily resulting in diarrhea, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Fructus Psoraleae warms and tonifies spleen yang, improving these symptoms and promoting the recovery of spleen and stomach functions. Individuals with weak spleen yang often exhibit pale complexion, fatigue, and lethargy. The warming and tonifying effect of Fructus Psoraleae can effectively improve these symptoms and enhance overall function.

2. Warming and Tonifying Kidney Yang: Kidney yang is the root of the body's yang energy. Kidney yang deficiency can easily lead to soreness of the waist and knees, cold limbs, frequent urination, and nocturia. Fructus Psoraleae warms and tonifies kidney yang, strengthening the body's yang energy and improving these symptoms, thereby enhancing the body's resistance to cold. Kidney yang deficiency often leads to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men. For these patients, the warming and tonifying effect of Fructus Psoraleae also has some auxiliary therapeutic effects.

3. Astringent and Consolidating: Fructus Psoraleae has astringent and consolidating properties, which can stop diarrhea and reduce frequent urination. This is mainly because Fructus Psoraleae can regulate the contraction of intestinal and bladder muscles, reducing the excretion of intestinal water and thus alleviating diarrhea; at the same time, it can also control the contraction of bladder muscles, reducing urine excretion and thus alleviating frequent urination.

4. Improving Digestive Function: Fructus Psoraleae can promote digestion and absorption and improve symptoms such as loss of appetite and indigestion. This is because Fructus Psoraleae can warm the middle energizer and dispel cold, promoting the ascension of spleen and stomach yang energy and thus enhancing digestive function.

Applications of Fructus Psoraleae:

Fructus Psoraleae is commonly used to treat the following conditions:

• Diarrhea caused by spleen and stomach cold: Manifesting as loose stools, abdominal pain relieved by warmth, and cold limbs.

• Frequent urination and nocturia caused by kidney yang deficiency: Manifesting as frequent urination, polyuria, soreness of the waist and knees, and cold limbs.

• Various cold symptoms in yang deficiency constitution: Such as cold hands and feet, and cold pain in the waist and knees.

• Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men: Used as an auxiliary therapeutic herb in combination with other medicines.

Dosage and Combination of Fructus Psoraleae:

• The usual dosage of Fructus Psoraleae is 3-9 grams, adjustable according to the severity of the condition. It can be used alone or in combination with other herbs for better efficacy. For example, combined with Aconitum carmichaelii (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) and Cinnamomum cassia (Cortex Cinnamomi) (warming yang herbs), it can enhance the effect of warming yang and dispelling cold; combined with Semen Euryales (Euryale seed) and Semen Nelumbinis (Lotus seed heart), it can enhance the astringent and consolidating effect.

It is important to note that Fructus Psoraleae is warm in nature, and should be used with caution by individuals with yin deficiency and excessive fire. During the consumption of Fructus Psoraleae, one should pay attention to dietary regularity and avoid consuming cold foods. If any discomfort arises, consult a doctor immediately.

• In conclusion, Fructus Psoraleae, as a commonly used herbal medicine, has the effects of warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney, and astringing and consolidating. It is significantly effective in treating frequent urination and diarrhea caused by spleen and kidney yang deficiency. However, it is necessary to use it according to the correct differentiation of syndrome and under the guidance of a physician. Self-medication should be avoided to prevent adverse effects. This article is for informational purposes only; please consult a professional physician for specific medication.

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