Only Ze Xie has an indication to treat a thirst
Ze Xie: Symptom Indicator Score +/ Frequency of Use +
- Main Symptoms: ① Frequent urination and discomfort. ②Edema (pitting edema along the tibial line) may be present. ③Dizziness and heavy-headedness
- Possible Symptoms: ④Thirst
- Tip: ⑤Ze Xie’s clinical signs are similar to those of Zhu. Therefore, Ze Xie is usually used as an assisting herb to Zhu.
- Pharmacological Hypothesis of Ze Xie
Due to an imbalance in the fluid/electrolyte metabolism, Ze Xie’s symptoms of urinary problems, dizziness, and thirst may occur.
Ze Xie patients’ body fluid/extracellular fluid balance seems slightly hypertonic. In general, extracellular fluid maintains isotonic balance. Our body maintains homeostasis by instantly reacting to the slightest osmotic changes in extracellular fluid. With a 1% increase in serum osmolality, vasopressin hormone will be released; with a 2% increase, severe thirst will be induced. Such a slightly hypertonic tendency in body/extracellular fluid balance seems to cause Ze Xie’s urinary problems and thirst.
Ze Xie has strong diuretic effects. Ze Xie inhibits tubular reabsorption, thus releasing large amounts of Sodium ions (Na+) and Potassium ions(K+), as well as water as urine. But Ze Xie also contains a large amount of K+, which can replace the excreted Na+ and K+. Ze Xie can lower the Na+ level in extracellular fluid during this process.
Zhu inhibits when extracellular fluid is isotonically increased, excreting electrolytes (such as Na+) and water as urine. On the other hand, Ze Xie is thought to normalize osmolality in the extracellular fluid (when extracellular fluid is isotonically increased) by excreting electrolytes (such as Na+ and K+) and water as urine and replacing them with large amounts of K+ it contains.
- Clinical Signs of Ze Xie
Ze Xie’s clinical signs are similar to those of Zhu. Therefore, Ze Xie is usually used as an assisting herb to Zhu. Ze Xie’s Main Symptoms are urinary problems and dizziness, and a Possible Symptom is a thirst.
