‘Xiāo kě’ (消渴) is a classical Chinese medical term for diabetes, literally meaning ‘wasting-thirst’. It originates from ancient texts like the Huangdi Neijing, where it describes a syndrome characterized by excessive thirst (kě), frequent urination, rapid weight loss (xiāo, ‘to consume’ or ‘waste away’), and often increased hunger. The term reflects the traditional understanding of diabetes as an imbalance involving the lungs, stomach, and kidneys, leading to depletion of body fluids and essence.

While modern clinical practice uses ‘táng niào bìng’ (糖尿病, ‘sugar-urine disease’) as the standard term, ‘xiāo kě’ remains widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis, herbal prescriptions, and academic discussions. It appears in classical formulas like ‘Yù Nǚ Jiān’ (Jade Maiden Decoction) and is still referenced in TCM textbooks and patient education materials emphasizing holistic patterns rather than just blood glucose levels.