Glomerulonephritisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Kidney and Nephritic Disorders
Parent symptom: Nephritis
Sub-symptom(s): Acute Glomerulonephritis Chronic Glomerulonephritis
How Does TCM View Glomerulonephritis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), glomerulonephritis is viewed through a lens of holistic balance and energy flow. Rather than focusing solely on the kidneys, TCM considers the interplay of various organ systems and life forces, including Qi (vital energy), Yin and Yang, and the flow of Body Fluids.
TCM posits that glomerulonephritis symptoms are external manifestations of internal imbalances and disharmony. Identifying and treating these underlying patterns is crucial for effective management and healing in TCM.
Causes of Glomerulonephritis According to TCM
From a TCM perspective, glomerulonephritis may be caused by factors such as Damp-Heat or Damp-Cold accumulating in Bladder, Kidney Yin Deficiency and etc. Damp-Heat can lead to the body's inability to properly eliminate moisture and heat, causing symptoms like swelling and urinary changes.
Kidney Yin Deficiency, on the other hand, reflects a depletion of the cooling, nurturing aspects of the body, contributing to inflammation and further kidney stress. These TCM patterns show the intricate nature of glomerulonephritis, emphasizing the need for a nuanced and individualized approach to treatment.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Glomerulonephritis
In addressing glomerulonephritis, TCM utilizes various formulas and herbs tailored to the patient's specific pattern of disharmony. Formulas that clear Heat and expel Dampness, such as Ba Zheng San with Chinese Pink Herbs, are used for patterns like Damp-Heat in the Bladder.
Wei Ling Tang, featuring Water Plantain, is prescribed for Damp-Cold and Damp-Phlegm conditions. For promoting urination and leaching out Dampness, Wu Ling San is used, especially in cases of Kidney Yang Deficiency.
To tonify Qi, Yu Ping Feng San with Milkvetch Roots is recommended, particularly for Protective Qi Deficiency and Lung Qi Deficiency. These formulas are part of a broad strategy in TCM to restore balance and promote kidney health.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address glomerulonephritis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that warm yang and tonify
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that tonify yin and yang
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Wu Ling San, with water plantain as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness" recommended for glomerulonephritis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Wu Ling San | Water Plantain (Ze Xie) |
| Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang | Stephania Roots (Fang Ji), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) |
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Ba Zheng San, with chinese pink herb as a key herb.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.
One such formula is Yu Ping Feng San, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from a depletion of Yang energy, requiring actions that warm and strengthen Yang.
One such formula is Shen Qi Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a deficiency in Yin energy, needing nourishment and strengthening of the body's vital essence.
One such formula is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Zhen Wu Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Yin and Yang
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from a deficiency in both Yin and Yang energies, necessitating a balanced approach to tonification.
One such formula is Er Xian Tang, with curculigo rhizome as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Glomerulonephritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address glomerulonephritis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
Herbs that drain Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for glomerulonephritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wei Ling Tang | Wu Ling San |
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs in situations of diminished Yang energy, aiming to warm and activate the body's functions.
One such herb is Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Er Xian Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency" recommended for glomerulonephritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao) | Er Xian Tang |
| Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) | Er Xian Tang |
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Yu Ping Feng San.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Stephania Roots (Fang Ji), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Shen Qi Wan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Shen Qi Wan.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Glomerulonephritis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for glomerulonephritis, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.