Renal Tuberculosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different renal tuberculosis patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Renal tuberculosis is a form of tuberculosis that specifically affects the kidneys. It's a secondary complication of pulmonary tuberculosis, where the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria spread from the lungs to the kidneys.
Symptoms of renal tuberculosis can include persistent pain in the side, frequent urination, blood in the urine, fever, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, it can lead to kidney damage and failure. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications and to preserve kidney function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches renal tuberculosis as a manifestation of underlying disharmonies within the body’s systems. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the infection and its direct effects, TCM emphasizes the balance of energies — Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang — in the body.
TCM practitioners believe that renal tuberculosis results from specific imbalances and weaknesses in these energies, particularly in the Kidney systems. Identifying and correcting these disharmonies is essential in TCM for effective treatment, reflecting its holistic approach to health and disease.
TCM Patterns for Renal Tuberculosis
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause renal tuberculosis
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Recommended herbal formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Diagnostic signs
Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Diagnostic signs
Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Pale tongue
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Renal Tuberculosis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address renal tuberculosis