Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
A chronic endocrine and metabolic imbalance resulting from a combination of various environmental and genetic factors, often caused by absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin secretion, leading to disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, and electrolytes. This condition can be classified into two types: primary and secondary. It may occur at any age. Certain viral infections or unhealthy dietary habits may also contribute to the development of this condition.
Diabetes is primarily caused by a deficiency of insulin in the body, leading to an inability of tissues to break down and utilize glucose, which then accumulates in the blood, resulting in elevated blood sugar and the appearance of glucose in the urine. Additionally, disturbances in glucose metabolism can trigger wellness in protein and fat metabolism, contributing to the development of diabetes. The classic clinical signs of imbalance of this condition include excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive hunger (polyphagia), frequent urination (polyuria), weight loss, fatigue and weakness, and skin itching.
Diabetes falls under the category of “Xiaoke” (Wasting-Thirst) in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that this condition often arises from excessive consumption of alcohol and rich foods, which damages the Spleen and Stomach, impairs their transportation and transformation functions, leading to internal heat accumulation, phlegm formation, and consumption of food essence and body fluids. Alternatively, it may result from excessive sexual activity damaging Yin, or Liver depression transforming into fire, which consumes and scorches body fluids, leading to Yin Deficiency and dryness-heat in the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney, thereby manifesting as Xiaoke. However, Yin Deficiency and dryness-heat often interact as cause and effect: exuberant heat stems from Yin Deficiency, and Yin Deficiency also results from exuberant heat. Their origins differ but their outcomes converge. If the condition lingers over time, Yin Deficiency may affect Yang, leading to Kidney Yang deficiency as well.
In traditional Chinese medicine, diabetes is categorized into four types, and supports is based on pattern differentiation according to the specific underlying causes.
1. Lung Heat Injuring Fluids: Frequent thirst with excessive drinking, dry mouth and tongue, normal stools, frequent urination and polyuria, red tongue with thin yellow coating, rapid pulse. The supports principle is to help clear heat, moisten the Lung, and promote fluid production to support proper hydration and internal balance.
2. Stomach Heat Blazing: Excessive thirst with frequent drinking, excessive eating with easy hunger, emaciation, dry bound stools, yellow dry tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse. supports principle should support a balanced internal environment in the stomach, help maintain normal digestive function, and promote healthy fluid distribution and nourishment.
3. Kidney Yang Deficiency and Dual Deficiency of Yin and Yang: Frequent urination with large volume, turbid like cream, dizziness, dry mouth and tongue, red tongue, deep, thready, and rapid pulse. In cases with concurrent Yang Deficiency: fear of cold with cold limbs, soreness and weakness of lower back and knees, pale tongue with white coating, deep, thready, and weak pulse. supports principle: Nourish Yin and secure Kidneys. For those with Yang Deficiency, additionally warm Kidneys and consolidate Yang.
4. Blood Stasis Obstructing the Collaterals: Dark complexion, cyanotic lips, palpitations, body edema, numbness of limbs, dark tongue with petechiae. The supports principle is to promote Qi circulation, transform Blood Stasis, and unblock the collaterals.
1.Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Pollen Tea
Ingredients: Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 15 g, Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen) 15 g, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shengshigao) 30 g (decoct first).
Preparation: Decoct the above three ingredients in water twice, combine the liquids, and drink as a tea. One dose daily, taken separately in the morning and evening.
supports a balanced internal environment and Lung moisture, and promotes fluid production to help with occasional thirst. This is especially helpful for those experiencing patterns of Lung Heat and Fluid Damage.
2.Lycium chinense Root Bark Tea (Digupi Cha)
Ingredients: Lycium chinense root bark (Digupi) 15 g.
Preparation method: Grind Lycium chinense (Digupi) into coarse powder, place it into an insulated cup, pour in boiling water, and cover with the lid.
Steep for 30 minutes, drink as tea. Take 1-2 doses daily.
Actions: supports cooling of the blood and reduction of internal heat; helps maintain healthy Lung function and respiratory comfort. This formula is traditionally used to support the body in addressing patterns of Lung Heat and fluid impairment.
3.Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen) Tea
Ingredients: 15g Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen)
Preparation: Place Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen) in a cup, brew with boiling water, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Actions: supports the body’s ability to cool and generate fluids, and helps with occasional thirst. supports individuals with Lung Heat and Fluid Injury pattern.
4.Shashen Maidong Tea – Adenophora stricta (Shashen) and Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) Tea
Ingredients: Glehnia littoralis (Beishashen) 15g, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang) 15g, Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu) 5g.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the above four ingredients together. Place the mixture into a thermos, steep in boiling water, and drink as a tea substitute. One dose daily.
supports clearing heat and moistening the Lungs. Promotes fluid production to help with occasional thirst. Intended for individuals experiencing a pattern of Lung Heat with Fluid Injury.
5.Shengdi Er Huang Cha (Raw Rehmannia and Two Yellows Tea)
Ingredients: 150g Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang), 10g Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), 7.5g Rheum palmatum (Dahuang).
Preparation: Grind the above three ingredients into coarse powder and mix well. Take 10 grams of the powder each time, put it into a thermos cup, steep with boiling water, and drink as tea. Use 1-2 times daily.
Functions: Helps clear stomach heat and support a balanced internal environment, nourishes yin and moistens dryness. supports individuals with Stomach Heat Exuberance pattern.
6.Shanzha Jueming Cha (Hawthorn and Cassia Seed Tea)
Ingredients: Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn) 15g, Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus Leaf) 15g, Cassia obtusifolia (Cassia Seed) 10g.
Preparation: Combine the above three ingredients and grind into a coarse powder. Place in a thermos, steep with boiling water, and drink as a tea. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy blood circulation. Used for Stomach Heat Blazing pattern to support healthy glucose metabolism.
7.Xuanshen Maidong Tea (Scrophularia ningpoensis [Xuanshen] and Ophiopogon japonicus [Maidong] Tea)
Ingredients: Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen), Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong), and Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang), 20 grams each.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the above three ingredients, place into a thermos, steep with boiling water, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Actions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports proper moisture levels. Beneficial for individuals with a Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern to support metabolic health.
8.Asparagus cochinchinensis (Tian Dong) and Lycium barbarum (Gou Qi) Tea
Ingredients: Asparagus cochinchinensis (Tian Dong) and Lycium barbarum (Gou Qi Zi), 20g each; Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen) and Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi), 10g each.
Preparation: Grind the above 4 ingredients into a coarse powder. Place in a thermos flask and steep with boiling water. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Functions: Nourishes yin and helps maintain a balanced internal environment, supports Qi and helps preserve essence. Designed to support the pattern of Kidney Yin Deficiency.
9.Rehmannia glutinosa (Dihuang) and Lycium barbarum (Gouqi) Tea
Ingredients: 15g Rehmannia glutinosa (Prepared Rehmannia Root, Shudihuang), 12g Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry, Gouqizi), 12g Asparagus cochinchinensis (Asparagus Root, Tiandong), 6g Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra Berry, Wuweizi).
Preparation method: Grind the above four ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a thermos, and brew with boiling water. Drink as a tea. One dose daily.
supports the Liver and Kidney, nourishes Yin, and helps consolidate essence. Beneficial for individuals presenting with Kidney Yin Deficiency.
10.Renshen Wuwei Cha (Ginseng-Schisandra Tea)
Ingredients: Panax ginseng (Renshen) 10g, Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi) 15g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Zhigancao) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang) 10g, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 10g:
Method of preparation: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder, place in a thermos, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. Use one dose daily.
Actions: Tonifies both Yin and Yang. supports health in cases of a Yin and Yang dual deficiency pattern.
11.Taoren Honghua Cha (Peach Kernel and Safflower Tea)
Ingredients: Prunus persica (Taoren) 10g, Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua) 10g, Angelica sinensis (Danggui Wei) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Dihuang) 30g, Paeonia lactiflora (Chishao) 12g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 10g, Spatholobus suberectus (Jixueteng) 15g, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) 20g, Epimedium (Xianlingpi) 15g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 20g.
Preparation method: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, combine the decoctions, and take as a tea substitute. One dose daily, divided into morning and evening servings.
supports Qi circulation, promotes healthy blood circulation, and helps unblock meridians. It is intended for individuals with Blood Stasis Obstructing the Collaterals pattern.
12.Yiqi Yangyin Cha (Qi-Tonifying and Yin-Nourishing Tea)
Ingredients: Panax ginseng (Renshen) 10 g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 20 g, Dioscorea opposita (Chinese Yam) 30 g, Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen) 15 g, Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen) 15 g, Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Zhimu) 12 g.
Preparation: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, combine the decoctions, and drink as a tea. Take 2-3 doses per week, divided into morning and evening servings.
supports Qi and Yin, helps maintain a balanced internal environment and a calm state of mind. May help with occasional thirst, frequent urination, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
13.Er Pi Hua Fen Cha (Two-Peel Pollen Tea)
Ingredients: Watermelon rind (Citrullus lanatus) 15g, Wax gourd rind (Benincasa hispida) 15g, Trichosanthes root (Trichosanthes kirilowii) 12g.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the above three ingredients, place in a cup, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: Helps clear heat and generate fluids, and supports astringing yin to help with occasional thirst. This product supports individuals experiencing thirst and dry throat.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
Interesting read! I’ve been exploring TCM for managing blood sugar, and these herbal blends sound promising. Do you recommend any specific combination for those with both metabolic issues and digestive sluggishness? Would love to hear more real-life experiences.
Love this! TCM really takes a holistic approach to metabolic health. Do you have any personal favorites from these 13 blends? I’ve been trying to balance my energy naturally, so this is super helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Interessant! Ich habe schon öfter von TCM gehört, aber diese speziellen Kräutermischungen für den Stoffwechsel sind mir neu. Kann jemand persönliche Erfahrungen teilen? Würde mich sehr über Tipps freuen, vor allem bei Typ-2-Problemen. Danke für den Einblick!
Interesting read! I’ve been looking into TCM for balancing my blood sugar naturally. Do you have any tips on how to choose the right blend for someone with mild insulin resistance? I’d love to try a gentler approach before going the pharmaceutical route. Thanks for sharing these options!