Traditional Chinese Medicine Parenting: Question 14 – What should be done when a child wets the bed?

Traditional Chinese Medicine Parenting: Question 14 – What should be done when a child wets the bed?

Answer: Earlier, when discussing the characteristics of children's internal organs, it was mentioned that children's five organs are characterized by "two excesses and three deficiencies," with the kidneys being particularly prone to deficiency. This is why infants commonly wet the bed. However, as a child grows older, their kidney Qi gradually strengthens, and bedwetting typically stops by around age three. If a child over three years old continues to wet the bed, treatment should be considered.

The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states that the kidneys govern urination, so when dealing with urinary issues, the kidneys should be the primary focus. A child with sufficient kidney Qi will have shiny hair, white and strong teeth, while a child with weak kidney Qi may appear listless, have a pale complexion, and may experience lower back pain.

To treat bedwetting, you can prepare a decoction using 30 grams of Chinese yam (Shan Yao), 10 grams of Euryale seeds (Qian Shi), and 5 grams of Alpinia (Yi Zhi Ren). Boil these in three bowls of water until it reduces to one bowl, and have the child drink it in two doses. This can be supplemented with the Chinese patent medicine Suo Quan Wan.

The Huangdi Neijing also notes that the lungs govern regulation, with the lungs corresponding to metal and the kidneys to water, and metal generates water. If a child has weak lung Qi, their ability to regulate water will decrease, leading to reduced urinary control. At the same time, coldness in the spleen and stomach may cause spleen and kidney Yang deficiency. Symptoms include a pale complexion, shortness of breath, low energy, poor appetite, and loose stools.

For this, you can prepare a decoction with 15 grams of Astragalus (Huang Qi), 30 grams of Chinese yam (Shan Yao), and 10 grams of Euryale seeds (Qian Shi). Boil these in three bowls of water until it reduces to one bowl, and have the child drink it in two doses. This can also be supplemented with the Chinese patent medicine Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan.

Additionally, you can use a navel plaster remedy: grind 100 grams of Chinese gallnut (Wu Bei Zi) and 100 grams of cinnamon (Rou Gui) into a powder, mix it with vinegar to form a paste, and shape it into a small ball. Place it on the child's navel and cover it with a bandage before bed. Remove it the next morning.