Can Prostatic Calcification Caused by Chronic Prostatitis Be Reduced or Removed with Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Many men feel anxious when they see the words "prostatic calcification" on their ultrasound report during a health check. Thoughts like "Is this cancer?" or "Do I need surgery?" quickly arise.

Actually, there's no need to panic. A prostatic calcification is not a disease in itself — it's more like a scar left behind after chronic prostatitis heals, much like the scab that forms after a skin wound recovers. However, the problem is that if this “scab” remains for too long, it can trigger recurrent inflammation, causing symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, perineal pain, and even sexual dysfunction.

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view this condition?

In simple terms, TCM believes: “Where there is blockage, there is pain; where nourishment is lacking, disease arises.”

In chronic prostatitis, long-standing damp-heat and poor circulation of qi and blood can cause stagnation and accumulation of blood stasis, phlegm, and dampness in the prostate — a vital “junction” of the body's channels. Over time, this blockage gradually leads to the formation of calcified deposits.

Therefore, the key to treatment is not merely to "eliminate inflammation," but to invigorate blood flow, remove stasis, clear channels, and soften hard masses— addressing both the root cause and the symptoms.

I. Diagnosis First, Then Treatment

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the key is individualized treatment — different body constitutions and symptom patterns require different herbal formulas. Here are two of the most common patterns:

1. Damp-Heat Type: Pain, Burning Sensation, and Dark Urine

This type is often seen in men with chronic prostatitis. Typical symptoms include frequent and urgent urination, burning sensation in the urethra, occasional blood in urine, perineal fullness or pain, scrotal dampness, bitter taste in the mouth, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating.

These signs indicate that damp-heat has accumulated in the lower burner (pelvic region), and prolonged inflammation has led to poor blood circulation and the formation of stasis and blockage.

Treatment principle:

Clear heat and drain dampness + invigorate blood and resolve stasis.

Commonly used herbal formulas:

Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill:

Contains Lysimachia (Jinqiancao), Plantago seed (Cheqianzi), and Talcum (Huashi) to clear heat and promote urination, along with Safflower (Honghua), Peach kernel (Taoren), and Salvia (Danshen) to invigorate blood circulation. This dual action both “flushes away” inflammation and “unblocks” stagnation — particularly suitable for damp-heat with blood stasis.

Longdan Xiegan Tang:

For those prone to irritability, mouth bitterness, or “heat rising” symptoms, this formula clears excess fire from the liver and gallbladder and helps expel damp-heat from the lower body.

Huashi Tonglin Yin:

Especially designed for calcification or stone-like lesions. Ingredients like Chicken gizzard lining (Jineijin) and Lygodium spore (Haijinsha) help soften hard deposits, while Peach kernel (Taoren) and Vaccaria seed (Wangbuliuxing) activate blood circulation to disperse stagnation around the calcified areas.

Formula modification tips:

Severe painful urination: Add Corydalis (Yanhusuo) and Toosendan (Chuanlianzi) to relieve pain effectively.

Blood in urine: Add Small thistle (Xiaojì) and Imperata rhizome (Baimugen) to cool the blood and stop bleeding without causing stagnation.

Constipation: Add a small amount of Rhubarb (Dahuang) to purge heat through the bowels and promote elimination of damp-heat.

2. Kidney Deficiency with Blood Stasis: Fatigue, Frequent Night Urination, and Lower Back Weakness

This type usually appears in men with a long history of chronic prostatitis. After repeated inflammation, the body's vital energy becomes depleted. Typical symptoms include frequent but incomplete urination, excessive night urination, weak urine flow, soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees, fatigue, a dark or purplish tongue with spots, and a thin, weak pulse.

Treatment principle:

Tonify the kidney and invigorate blood circulation.

In this case, treatment should not focus only on “attacking” or eliminating inflammation, but also on strengthening the body's vital energy to aid long-term recovery.

Commonly used herbal formulas:

Yishen Xiaoshi Tang (Kidney-Tonifying and Stone-Resolving Decoction):

Contains Cistanche (Roucongrong) and Epimedium (Yinyanghuo) to warm and tonify kidney yang, combined with Achyranthes (Niuxi), Sparganium (Sanleng), and Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu) to activate blood circulation and remove stasis. It nourishes while unblocking — ideal for those with deficiency complicated by stagnation.

Ziyin Huashi Wan:

Suitable for individuals with yin deficiency and internal heat, often showing dry mouth, insomnia, or heat sensations in the palms and soles. It uses Prepared Rehmannia (Shudi) and Tortoise shell gelatin (Guiban Jiao) to nourish yin, paired with Vaccaria seed (Wangbuliuxing) and Lygodium spore (Haijinsha) to help soften and disperse calcified nodules — a balanced "tonifying yet dispersing" approach.

Yishen Tongluo Fang + Huashi Sanjie Wan:

This combination both replenishes kidney essence and breaks down hard nodules, making it especially suitable for more persistent or stubborn cases of prostatic calcification.

Formula modification tips:

Frequent night urination: Add Alpinia (Yizhiren) and Lindera root (Wuyao) to warm the kidneys and reduce nighttime urination frequency.

Severe fatigue: Add Astragalus (Huangqi) and Codonopsis (Dangshen) to strengthen qi and boost energy.

Perineal discomfort or dull pain: Add Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) to promote blood flow and relieve pain.

II. Tackling the Hard Problem — How to Break Down Calcifications

For some men, the prostatic calcifications are as hard as stones, and ordinary blood-activating herbs work too slowly. In these cases, stronger formulas are needed to “break through the blockage.”

Sparganium (Sanleng) + Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu):

Known in TCM as the “twin heroes for breaking blood stasis,” this pair is especially effective for deep, stubborn stagnation. They help disperse long-standing clots and hard nodules within the prostate.

Seaweed (Haizao) + Kelp (Kunbu) + Oyster shell (Muli):

This “iron trio” has potent softening and mass-dissolving properties. Over time, they can gradually soften and reduce hard calcified areas and help the body reabsorb or stabilize them.

Vaccaria seed (Wangbuliuxing) + Achyranthes (Chuanniuxi):

A powerful combination — one promotes blood flow and unblocks meridians, while the other guides the medicine downward to the lower pelvic region, allowing the therapeutic effect to target the prostate more precisely.

Note:

These herbs are strong and act deeply. They should not be used long-term or in high doses, as excessive use can damage the body's vital qi (healthy energy). Once symptoms improve, the dosage should be reduced or the formula adjusted under a TCM doctor's guidance.

III. Medication Alone Isn't Enough — External Therapies and Lifestyle Care Are the Real Keys

Internal herbal therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but when combined with external methods and proper lifestyle adjustments, the results can be significantly enhanced.

1. Warm Sitz Baths:

Take a sitz bath once or twice daily for 15–20 minutes each time, using warm water at about 104°F—not too hot. This helps improve pelvic blood circulation, relieve pain and heaviness, and promote relaxation of the prostate area.

2. Acupuncture and Moxibustion:

Acupuncture points: Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) — regulate urination and pelvic function.

Moxibustion points: Shenshu (BL23) and Mingmen (DU4) — suitable for individuals who feel cold easily, have frequent night urination, or show signs of kidney yang deficiency. Moxibustion helps warm and strengthen kidney energy and improve circulation.

3. Prostate Massage:

Do not attempt this on your own. It should be performed by a qualified medical professional once or twice a week to help express congested prostatic fluid and relieve glandular blockage.

4. Daily Lifestyle Tips:

• Avoid spicy food, alcohol, and staying up late.
• Drink at least 1.5 liters of water daily and urinate regularly to flush the urinary tract.
• Don't sit for long periods — stand up and walk for five minutes every hour.
• Do squats, light jogging, and pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to enhance blood flow in the pelvic region and improve prostate health.

IV. Important Reminders

1. Calcifications Rarely Disappear Completely:

Don't expect that a few months of herbs will make calcifications vanish. The realistic treatment goals are symptom relief, prevention of recurrence, and improved quality of life.

2. Use Formulas According to Pattern Diagnosis

Don't copy someone else's prescription just because it worked for them. TCM emphasizes individualized treatment — using the wrong formula can be counterproductive.

3. Stick to an Adequate Course

Generally persist for at least 2–3 months. Don't give up after one or two weeks with no obvious effect — chronic conditions require gradual adjustment and sustained treatment.

4. Combine TCM and Western Medicine When Necessary

If there is acute infection, fever, or painful urination, antibiotics should be used as indicated.

If urination is severely obstructed, an alpha-blocker (for example, tamsulosin) can be combined to relieve symptoms quickly.

5. Regular Re-Checks are Necessary

Do an ultrasound every 3–6 months to monitor changes in calcifications and check inflammatory markers.

Prostatic calcifications caused by chronic prostatitis are essentially a long-term regulation process. The TCM approach of activating blood circulation and resolving stasis is not merely "unclogging vessels"— it aims to improve overall constitution and clear local blockages. With accurate pattern differentiation, consistent treatment, and supportive lifestyle measures, most men can achieve substantial symptom improvement and long periods without relapse.

Don't panic and don't self-treat recklessly. Find the right approach, be patient, and your health can steadily recover.