Chinese Medicine for Blood in Urine

In Chinese medicine, blood appearing in urine (hematuria) signals internal imbalance caused by heat, dampness, weakness, or poor control of the body’s energy. The affected organs—especially the heart, bladder, spleen, and kidneys—each produce different patterns of symptoms.

Heart-Fire

Common Signs

• Burning or painful urination with bright red blood

• Hot sensations in the palms

• Mouth ulcers or cankers

• Palpitations and sleeplessness

• Bleeding gums or discharge of blood from the mouth

• Reddish-yellow urine or short urine streams

• Dry throat and restlessness

• Feeling miserable or emotionally agitated

Treatment Principle
Clear heat from the heart, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Xiao-Ji-Yin-Zi

Helpful Foods: Asparagus, pear peel, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s tears, liver, beet leaf, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, lily flower, cattail

Dampness-Heat Flowing Downward

Common Signs

• Burning or itching in the genitals

• Bright red blood in urine

• Fever that isn’t high but lingers

• Abdominal pain or fullness

• Yellowish, scant, or retained urine

• Sweating on hands and feet

• Jaundice or diarrhea

• Thirst or heaviness in the body

Treatment Principle
Clear heat and dampness from the bladder, promote urination, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Ba-Zheng-San

Helpful Foods: Carp, celery, horse bean, jellyfish skin, Job’s tears, prickly ash, hyacinth bean, oregano, sweet basil, adzuki bean, bamboo shoot, soybean sprouts, rosin, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, cucumber, beet leaf, mung bean, peppermint, purslane

Simultaneous Deficiency of Energy and Blood

Common Signs

• Pale urine with light-colored blood

• Fatigue or dizziness

• Pale face, lips, and nails

• Palpitations or insomnia

• Numb limbs and low energy

• No burning during urination

• Weak voice and poor appetite

Treatment Principle
Strengthen energy and blood, support the spleen, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Gui-Pi-Tang or Huang-Tu-Tang

Helpful Foods: Abalone, asparagus, cuttlefish, chicken egg, duck egg, white fungus, beef liver, grape, mandarin fish, oyster, milk, beef, cherry, blood clam, longan nut, maltose, Irish potato, sweet rice, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, ham, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job’s tears, royal jelly, string bean, whitefish, yam, red and black dates, mutton, squash, rock sugar

Kidney Deficiency

Common Signs

• Blood in urine with no burning sensation

• Chronic back pain or weakness

• Hair loss or toothache

• Dizziness, deafness, or ringing in the ears

• Large amounts of pale urine

• Fatigue or desire to lie down

• Seminal emission in men

• Loose stools or mild diarrhea

Treatment Principle
Nourish yin, strengthen the kidneys, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan or Da-Bu-Yin-Wan

Helpful Foods: Abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, white fungus, black sesame seed, beef kidney, chestnut, chicken liver, lobster, pork kidney, raspberry, scallop, sea cucumber, shrimp, string bean, walnut

Summary
In Chinese medicine, blood in the urine reflects deeper imbalance—whether from internal fire, damp heat, blood weakness, or kidney deficiency. Each pattern requires its own approach to cooling the body, strengthening energy, and nourishing the organs that control blood and water. Restoring internal balance helps stop bleeding naturally and supports long-term urinary and overall health.