The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Possible causes and remedies:
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Symptoms: Vertigo Headaches Dry heaves and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Shi Zao Tang
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Symptoms: Wheezing No thirst Absence of sweating and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Qing Long Tang
In Chinese Medicine, nephritis can be associated with three so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here nephritis can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's nephritis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from nephritis alone. For instance when nephritis is caused by the pattern Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium, patients also experience symptoms such as cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, hard focal distention in the epigastrium, dry heaves and shortness of breath. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium typically exhibit deep (Chen) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
We've listed below a description of the three patterns associated with nephritis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below six formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with nephritis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) is the key herb for Shi Zao Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Shi Zao Tang
Symptoms: Vertigo Headaches Dry heaves Shortness of breath Hard focal distention in the epigastrium Cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
Nephritis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, hard focal distention in the epigastrium, dry heaves and shortness of breath. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium typically exhibit deep (Chen) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Xiao Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Wheezing No thirst Absence of sweating Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills General sensation of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Nephritis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as alternating fever and chills, absence of sweating, wheezing and stifling sensation in the chest. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Shen Qi Wan
Symptoms: Incontinence Lower back pain Urinary difficulty Lower abdominal pressure Weakness of the lower extremities Cold sensation in the lower half of the body
Nephritis might be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower back pain, weakness of the lower extremities, cold sensation in the lower half of the body and lower abdominal pressure. Similarly, patients with Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
The top herbs in Shi Zao Tang are Kansui Roots (Gan Sui), Genkwa Flowers (Yuan Hua) and Peking Spurge Roots (Jing Da Ji)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium, a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xiao Qing Long Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shen Qi Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wan Dai Tang are Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu), Yam (Shan Yao) and Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Middle Burner. Removes Dampness. Stops vaginal discharge. Strengthens the Spleen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wei Ling Tang are Water Plantain (Ze Xie), Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang are Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Warms and harmonizes the channels. Unblocks painful obstruction .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with nephritis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).