Classic TCM Prescriptions for Treating Prostate Calcifications

Prostate calcification is a common condition in men's health, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has accumulated extensive theoretical and practical experience in its management. Guided by syndrome differentiation, TCM treatment focuses on clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, tonifying the kidney, and unblocking the meridians. 

It is often combined with external therapies and lifestyle adjustments, aiming to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence. Below, we will detail the classic TCM treatment strategies for prostate calcification from the perspectives of syndrome differentiation and prescriptions, common modifications, recommended patent medicines, external therapies, and key precautions.

I. Syndrome Differentiation and Classic Formulas

According to the pathogenesis and symptoms, prostate calcifications can generally be categorized into two main types. For stubborn lesions, additional formulas that emphasize resolving stasis and dissipating nodules are recommended.

(1) Damp-Heat Pouring Down with Stasis and Toxin Accumulation

Main symptoms: urinary urgency and pain, burning sensation in the urethra, yellow and turbid urine, hematuria in some cases, heaviness and pain in the perineum and lower abdomen, scrotal dampness in some patients, bitter or sticky taste in the mouth. Tongue is red with yellow greasy coating, pulse slippery and rapid.

Classic formulas:

Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill: Contains Plantago seed, Talc, Dianthus, Polygonum aviculare, Safflower, Peach kernel, Angelica, Red peony root, Houttuynia, Vaccaria, etc. It not only clears heat and detoxifies, but also has anti-hyperplasia, anti-fibrosis, and anti-calcification effects.

Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentiana Drain the Liver Decoction): Includes Gentiana, Scutellaria, Gardenia, Alisma, etc. Effective for clearing damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder, alleviating painful urination and scrotal dampness.

Huashi Tonglin Yin: Composed of Lysimachia, Lygodium spore, Chicken gizzard lining, Peach kernel, etc. Used to promote urination, dispel stones, and invigorate blood, particularly for calcifications due to damp-heat with blood stasis.

(2) Kidney Deficiency with Stasis and Phlegm-Turbidity Accumulation

Main symptoms: frequent urination, especially at night, dribbling or incomplete voiding, weak urine stream, lumbar and knee soreness, fatigue, dull pain or heaviness in the perineum. Tongue is pale-purple or with stasis spots, coating white and greasy, pulse deep and thin.

Classic formulas:

Yishen Xiaoshi Tang (Kidney-Tonifying Stone-Eliminating Decoction): Contains Cistanche, Epimedium, Eucommia, Achyranthes, Sparganium, etc. It warms kidney yang, regulates qi and blood, and relieves difficulty in urination.

Ziyin Huashi Wan (Yin-Nourishing Stone-Dissolving Pill): Includes Rehmannia, Cornus, Tortoise shell glue, Turtle shell, Vaccaria, etc. Nourishes kidney yin, softens hardness, and resolves nodules, suitable for yin deficiency with frequent urination.

Yishen Tongluo Fang + Huashi Sanjie Wan: The first (with Rehmannia, Salvia, etc.) tonifies the kidney and replenishes essence, while the latter (with Chicken gizzard lining, Lygodium spore, etc.) promotes urination and resolves stones. Used together for kidney deficiency with blood stasis type calcifications.

(3) Stubborn Calcifications: Classic Combinations for Resolving Stasis and Dissipating Nodules

For persistent calcifications, formulas should emphasize stronger blood stasis resolution and nodular dispersion. Core combinations include:

Sparganium + Curcuma zedoaria: Break blood stasis and move qi, targeting obstructive stasis directly.

Sargassum, Kelp, Oyster shell: Soften hardness, dissolve phlegm, and disperse accumulations, aiding calcification reduction.

Vaccaria + Achyranthes: Promote blood circulation, guide medicine downward, and enhance local effect on the prostate.

II. Common Modifications

Hematuria: add Small thistle, Imperata rhizome, Agrimony to cool blood and stop bleeding.

Marked perineal pain: add Corydalis, Melia, Frankincense, Myrrh to regulate qi and relieve pain.

Constipation: increase Rhubarb dosage or add Glauber’s salt.

Fatigue and weakness: add Astragalus, Codonopsis, Atractylodes to tonify qi and strengthen the spleen.

Prominent nocturia: add Alpinia oxyphylla, Lindera, Mantis egg-case to warm kidney and reduce urination.

Severe scrotal dampness: add Kochia, Sophora flavescens to clear heat, dry dampness, and relieve itching.

III. Recommended Chinese Patent Medicines

Qianlieshutong Capsule: Contains Phellodendron, Red peony, Smilax, etc., to clear heat, remove dampness, and resolve stasis. Indicated for chronic prostatitis with calcification.

Longqing Tablet: Includes Alisma, Honeysuckle, Moutan, etc., for clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling blood, and promoting urination, suitable for damp-heat type with urinary urgency and pain.

Wenglin Tong Tablet: Made with Gardenia, Rhubarb, Akebia, etc., effective for damp-heat and stasis-induced urinary frequency and difficulty.

IV. External Therapies and Lifestyle Adjustments

Acupuncture: Points such as Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Sanyinjiao (SP6) regulate bladder qi transformation; Zhiyan (BL30), Huiyin (CV1) improve local blood circulation in the prostate.

Warm sitz bath: 1–2 times daily, 15–20 minutes each, at ~40℃, promotes inflammation absorption and relieves discomfort.

Prostate massage: Performed by trained physicians, 1–2 times per week, helps discharge prostate fluid and reduce congestion.

Moxibustion: On Shenshu (BL23), Mingmen (GV4), etc., 10–15 minutes per point, warms kidney yang, suitable for cold-deficiency types.

Lifestyle care: Avoid spicy food, alcohol, caffeine; maintain daily fluid intake ≥1.5L to flush urinary tract; regular ejaculation to prevent fluid retention; avoid prolonged sitting and late nights, get up every hour for 5–10 minutes; strengthen exercise such as squats and jogging to enhance pelvic circulation.

V. Precautions

Treatment goal: Once calcifications form, complete elimination is difficult. The main aim is to relieve symptoms (urination issues, pain), prevent infection recurrence, and improve quality of life.

Syndrome differentiation: All prescriptions should be adjusted by a TCM practitioner. For example, Longdan Xiegan Tang is contraindicated in yin-deficient patients to avoid further yin damage.

Course and monitoring: Usually requires 2–3 months of continuous treatment, with regular ultrasound and prostate fluid checks to evaluate calcification changes and therapeutic effect.

Integrative approach: If combined with acute infection, antibiotics (e.g., levofloxacin) may be used short-term to control inflammation; α-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin) can quickly improve urinary obstruction and work synergistically with TCM.

Conclusion

Treatment of prostate calcifications in TCM requires a combined approach of "attacking and tonifying," integrating internal and external therapies, and coordinating medicine with diet and lifestyle. Only through individualized differentiation and systematic care can the wisdom of TCM in tackling stubborn conditions be fully realized, helping patients better manage their condition.