Acute Kidney Infections in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different acute kidney infections patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Acute kidney infections, medically termed acute pyelonephritis, are serious infections that involve one or both kidneys. These infections often start as a urinary tract infection that ascends to the renal pelvis of the kidney, leading to inflammation, fever, back pain, and in severe cases, can cause kidney damage. Prompt medical attention is critical, as these infections can swiftly escalate, affecting kidney function and overall health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets acute kidney infections as a disharmony within the body’s organ systems. Unlike Western medicine, which attributes such infections to bacteria, TCM considers environmental factors and internal imbalances that may contribute to the body’s vulnerability to disease.
Symptoms of kidney infections are seen as signs of underlying patterns of disharmony, such as Damp-Heat or Toxic-Heat, which disrupt the natural balance of Yin and Yang. Identifying these patterns is a critical step in TCM for determining the appropriate treatment strategy.
TCM Patterns for Acute Kidney Infections
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause acute kidney infections
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder
Diagnostic signs
Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Toxic-Heat
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu)
Red tongue with yellow coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Acute Kidney Infections
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address acute kidney infections