Chronic Nephritisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Kidney and Nephritic Disorders
Parent symptom: Nephritis
Sub-symptom(s): Chronic Pyelonephritis
What is Chronic Nephritis?
Chronic Nephritis is a prolonged inflammation of the kidneys, encompassing conditions like chronic pyelonephritis. This long-term kidney inflammation often evolves from acute nephritis and can be characterized by symptoms such as proteinuria, hematuria, high blood pressure, and in advanced stages, kidney failure.
The disease is marked by the gradual deterioration of kidney function, and its progression can vary from mild to severe, posing significant risks to overall health if not managed effectively.
How Does TCM View Chronic Nephritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets chronic nephritis not just as a kidney ailment but as a symptom of broader systemic imbalance. TCM emphasizes understanding the unique patterns of disharmony within each individual, recognizing that the same Western diagnosis can stem from different imbalances in TCM. Treatment in TCM is therefore highly personalized, based on identifying and correcting the specific disharmonies contributing to the condition.
Causes of Chronic Nephritis According to TCM
In TCM, chronic nephritis is often attributed to underlying imbalances such as Kidney Yin or Yang Deficiency, Damp-Heat in the Bladder, Heart Fire Blazing etc. For example, Kidney Yin Deficiency, characterized by a depletion of the cooling, nourishing aspect of the body, can lead to symptoms like dryness, night sweats, and irritability.
Damp-Heat in the Bladder, on the other hand, manifests through symptoms like painful urination and turbid urine. These patterns illustrate the complex interplay of various bodily systems and energies in TCM’s approach to understanding chronic nephritis.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Chronic Nephritis
TCM treatment for chronic nephritis involves a range of formulas and herbs tailored to the individual's specific pattern of imbalance. For conditions like Kidney Yin Deficiency, formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Prepared rehmannia are used to nourish Yin.
In cases of Kidney Yang Deficiency, Ba Wei Di Huang Wan serves to tonify and warm the body. For imbalances involving Dampness, Fu Zi Tang with Prepared aconite is recommended to transform Dampness and warm the body. Each formula is selected based on the patient's unique presentation of symptoms, showcasing TCM’s personalized approach to healing.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address chronic nephritis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that tonify yin and yang
- Formulas that clear heat from deficiency
- Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Chronic nephritis 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 Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that nourish yin and tonify" recommended for chronic nephritis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) |
| Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) |
| Zuo Gui Wan | Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) |
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Chronic nephritis 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 Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin, with lotus seeds as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Chronic nephritis 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 Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, with maltose as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Yin and Yang
Chronic nephritis 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.
Formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these formulas if it is due to an imbalance where yin deficiency leads to a false heat syndrome.
One such formula is Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, with softshell turtle shell as a key herb.
Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from disharmony in the female reproductive system, resulting in symptoms like irregular bleeding or abnormal discharge.
One such formula is Wan Dai Tang, with atractylodes rhizome as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Chronic Nephritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address chronic nephritis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Chronic nephritis 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 Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic nephritis, like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for chronic nephritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) | Shen Ling Bai Zhu San | Wan Dai Tang |
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Shen Ling Bai Zhu San |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Shen Ling Bai Zhu San |
| Maltose (Yi Tang) | Xiao Jian Zhong Tang |
| Yam (Shan Yao) | Wan Dai Tang |
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Chronic nephritis 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 chronic nephritis, like Er Xian Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency" recommended for chronic nephritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao) | Er Xian Tang |
| Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) | Er Xian Tang |
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Chronic nephritis 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 chronic nephritis, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Chronic nephritis 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 chronic nephritis, like Fu Zi Tang.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic nephritis, like Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Chronic nephritis 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 Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic nephritis, like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.
One such herb is Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic nephritis, like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Chronic nephritis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic nephritis, like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang.