Essence turbidity

A persistent discharge from the urethra like rice water (water that rice has been washed in) or like flower and water paste. Essence turbidity may be associated with itching or pain in the urethra, and, in severe cases, the pain is like the cutting of a knife or like a burning fire. The urine remains clear. Essence turbidity is attributable to a) excesses of drinking and sex causing obstruction by vanquished essence (old, putrefying semen), b) kidney essence depletion with frenetic stirring of the ministerial fire causing discharge of vanquished essence with fire, or c) damp-heat flowing down in the essence chamber. A white discharge is called white turbidity, whereas discharge containing blood is called red turbidity. When persistent, both forms manifest as vacuity patterns. Red turbidity is a sign of more pronounced vacuity with effulgent ministerial fire.

Medicinal therapy: Burning pain in the urethra calls for action focusing on the fire, using Firewood-Raking Beverage (抽薪饮 chōu xīn yǐn) or Anti-Turbidity Root-Securing Pill (治浊固本丸 zhì zhuó gù běn wán). Essence turbidity due to damp-heat flowing into the essence chamber with frequent urination is treated by percolating disinhibition with Poria Five Powder (五苓散 wǔ líng sǎn) combined with Origin-Boosting Powder (益元散 yì yuán sǎn). When essence turbidity persists for a long period and the burning pain subsides, treatment should focus on quieting the heart and securing the kidney by using Origin-Securing Brew (秘元煎 mì yuán jiān) or Cuscuta Seed Pill (菟丝子丸 tù sī zǐ wán) and variations. For debilitation of the life gate fire, use formulas such as Right-Restoring [Life Gate] Pill (右归丸 yòu guī wán) or Cinnamon Bark and Aconite Eight-Ingredient Pill (桂附八味丸 guì fù bā wèi wán).

Acumoxatherapy: For effulgent fire with pronounced burning sensation on urination, base treatment mainly on KI and HT. Select KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi), KI-2 (Blazing Valley, 然谷 rán gǔ), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion, 少府 shào fǔ), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), needling with even supplementation and drainage. For damp-heat flowing into the essence chamber, base treatment mainly on CV and SP. Select CV-3 (Central Pole, 中极 zhōng jí), BL-28 (Bladder Transport, 膀胱俞 páng guāng shù), SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), needling with even supplementation and drainage. For enduring conditions without scorching pain, calm the heart and secure the kidney. Base treatment mainly on BL, CV, and KI. Select CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), BL-15 (Heart Transport, 心俞 xīn shù), HT-7 (Spirit Gate, 神门 shén mén), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo); needle with supplementation. For debilitation of the life gate fire, base treatment mainly on GV and KI. Select CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén), and KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), needling with supplementation and adding moxa.