Managing Nocturia: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

by Andy Wong | Feb 14, 2026 | Chinese Medicine

In healthy individuals, diurnal urine production typically exceeds nocturnal output. Following sleep onset, most individuals maintain continence throughout the night without requiring micturition. This physiological pattern of reduced nocturnal urine production is considered normal and serves to preserve uninterrupted sleep in healthy adults.

Nocturia demonstrates increased prevalence among the geriatric population. In elderly males, benign prostatic hyperplasia of varying severity is commonly observed. In elderly females, progressive weakening of detrusor musculature and pelvic floor support structures frequently occurs. Consequently, both older men and women typically experience increased urinary frequency compared to younger adults.

When nocturia becomes pronounced—particularly when accompanied by increased daytime frequency—yet urinalysis reveals dilute, clear, and non-painful urination, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pathophysiology attributes this presentation to Kidney Qi deficiency with cold pattern, resulting in impaired bladder sphincter control. Herbal pharmacotherapy has demonstrated favorable therapeutic outcomes in such cases.

The author’s formulation, “Modified Suo-quan Pill 縮泉丸 (Jia-wei Suo-quan Wan 加味縮泉丸),” represents an efficacious treatment protocol comprising:

Formula Composition:

• 30 g each: Alpinia oxyphylla (Yizhi Ren), Dioscorea opposita (Huai Shan), Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen)
• 15 g each: Cistanche deserticola (Rou Cong Rong), Cornus officinalis fructus (Shan Zhu Yu), Eucommia ulmoides (Duzhong), Dipsacus asper (Xuduan), Ziziphus jujuba seed (Suan Zao Ren), Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi)
• 20 g each: Calcined Os Draconis (Longgu), Calcined Concha Ostreae (Muli)

Preparation Method: The thirteen ingredients are moistened with dilute saline solution, subjected to thorough steam processing, desiccated, pulverized into fine powder, and combined with refined honey to form pills approximately 6-8mm in diameter (mung bean size).

Dosing Regimen:

• Adult dose: 10 grams twice daily, administered orally with warm water
• Pediatric dose (under 8 years): 5 grams twice daily

Therapeutic Action: Modified Suoquan Pill functions to tonify Kidney Yang, supplement essence (Jing), and strengthen bladder sphincter control.

Clinical Experience: The author has employed this formulation extensively over multiple years in treating geriatric patients presenting with Kidney Qi deficiency-cold pattern, nocturnal polyuria, and urinary incontinence, achieving significant therapeutic efficacy. For cases where pill preparation is impractical, the formula may be administered as a decoction at 50% of the stated dosage quantities, yielding comparable clinical outcomes.