Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas for Clearing Heat and Dampness in Cystitis

Cystitis is a common urinary system disorder, typically presenting with frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, and dark or scanty urine. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is often caused by the accumulation of damp-heat in the lower jiao. Therefore, clearing heat and draining dampness with herbal medicine is considered a key therapeutic approach. Below are five representative TCM formulas with heat-clearing and dampness-draining properties that can specifically help improve cystitis symptoms.

1. Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill

Composition: Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill contains more than 50 herbs, including Plantago seed (Cheqianzi), Talc (Huashi), Dianthus (Qumai), Polygonum (Bianxu, 12g), Angelica (Danggui), Red Peony root (Chishao), Safflower (Honghua), Peach kernel (Taoren), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), Vaccaria seed (Wangbuliuxing), Viola (Tianding, Diding), Honeysuckle (Jinyinhua), among others. Adjustments should be made by a physician based on the patient’s constitution and condition.

Formula logic:

Heat-clearing & damp-draining group: Plantago seed, Talc, Dianthus, and Polygonum are the foundation herbs that clear damp-heat in the lower jiao, relieving frequent and painful urination. Houttuynia, Honeysuckle, Viola, and related herbs enhance detoxification, inhibit bacterial growth in the bladder, and address infection-related recurrence in chronic cystitis.

Blood-activating group: Angelica, Red Peony, Safflower, and Peach kernel improve pelvic circulation, relieve lower abdominal pain, and prevent blood stasis caused by persistent damp-heat.

Protective & repairing group: Vaccaria seed is a key herb that not only promotes urination and relieves stranguria but also prevents hyperplasia and fibrosis in the bladder trigone, thus protecting bladder mucosal function.

Supporting group: Herbs such as Atractylodes, Yam, Astragalus, and Goji berry tonify the spleen and kidney to protect body functions during long-term treatment.

Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies, activates blood and relieves pain, promotes urination, and provides anti-hyperplasia, anti-calcification, and anti-fibrosis effects.

Indications:

Recurrent chronic cystitis (≥3 times per year), especially in patients resistant or intolerant to antibiotics.

Chronic cystitis with bladder trigone hyperplasia, follicle formation, or complicated with prostatitis/urethritis.

Can be modified for various TCM patterns: for example, Huangbai for strong damp-heat, Rehmannia for yin deficiency, Codonopsis for spleen deficiency.

Clinical advantages: Most patients experience relief of frequency and pain after 1–2 months of use. A full treatment course is 3 months, after which recurrence rates are significantly reduced. As a pure herbal medicine, it avoids antibiotic resistance and has only mild side effects (occasional mild diarrhea in those with weak digestion, which can be managed by taking it after meals).

2. San Jin Granules

Composition: Rosa laevigata root (Jinyinggen), Spina Gleditsiae (Jingangci), Polygonum capitatum (Yangkaikou), Lygodium japonicum (Haijinsha), Centella asiatica (Jixuecao).

Source: Chinese Patent Medicine Standards, 1998.

Form: Granules.

Properties: Yellow-brown granules; sweet, slightly bitter, astringent taste.

Functions: Clears heat and detoxifies, drains dampness, benefits the kidneys.

Indications: Damp-heat in the lower jiao, heat stranguria, painful/dark urine, acute and chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis, urinary tract infection.

Dosage: 14g per dose, 3–4 times daily, dissolved in hot water.

3. Xuan Che Decoction

Composition: Solanum lyratum (Xuanhuajia) 15g, Plantago herb (Cheqiancao) 15g.

Functions: Clears heat, drains dampness, detoxifies, reduces inflammation.

Indications: Cystitis, urethritis, symptoms of frequent urination, painful urination, hematuria due to excess heat.

Dosage: Chop the herbs, decoct in water, take 1 dose daily, divided into 3 warm servings.

Source: 1600 Proven Folk Prescriptions.

4. Jie Shi Tong Tablets

Composition: Lysimachia (Guangjinqiancao), Corn silk (Yumixu), Pyrrosia leaf (Shiwei), Abutilon (Jigucao), Poria (Fuling), Plantago herb (Cheqiancao), Lygodium (Haijinshacao), Imperata rhizome (Baimagen).

Source: Chinese Patent Medicine Standards, 1997.

Form: Sugar-coated tablets.

Functions: Clears heat, drains dampness, promotes urination, expels stones, relieves pain, and stops bleeding.

Indications: Urinary tract infection, cystitis, nephritis edema, urinary stones, hematuria, turbid urine, burning urination.

Dosage: 5 tablets, 3 times daily.

5. Shenshu Granules

Composition: Oldenlandia diffusa (Baihuasheshecao) 1000g, Isatis leaf (Daqingye) 500g, Dianthus (Qumai) 300g, Polygonum (Bianxu) 300g, Lygodium (Haijinsha) 500g, Bamboo leaf (Danzhuye) 300g, Phellodendron (Huangbai) 300g, Poria (Fuling) 500g, Rehmannia (Dihuang) 300g, Licorice (Gancao) 100g.

Functions: Clears heat, detoxifies, promotes urination, and relieves stranguria.

Indications: Urethritis, cystitis, acute and chronic pyelonephritis due to damp-heat.

Dosage: 30g per dose, 3 times daily (reduce for children or follow physician’s advice).

Form: Granules, 15g per sachet.

Conclusion

All five formulas revolve around the principle of “clearing heat and draining dampness.” Among them, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill is particularly effective for recurrent chronic cystitis, while the others may be chosen according to the type of cystitis (acute vs. chronic), complications (stones, hematuria, pyelonephritis), and severity. Importantly, usage, dosage, and storage should strictly follow professional guidance to ensure efficacy and safety.