Chronic Renal Failureaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Kidney and Nephritic Disorders
Parent symptom: Kidney Failure
Did you mean? Chronic Kidney Disease
What is Chronic Renal Failure?
Chronic renal failure, also known as chronic kidney failure, represents a progressive deterioration in kidney function. This condition occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to efficiently filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Over time, this can lead to a build-up of waste products in the body, resulting in various health complications.
Common causes include long-term health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. Symptoms may develop slowly and can include swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination patterns.
How does TCM view Chronic Renal Failure?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chronic renal failure is viewed through the lens of energy imbalances within the body. TCM interprets this condition as arising from disharmonies in internal energies, particularly focusing on patterns like Internal Cold or Internal Heat.
These imbalances disrupt the natural functioning of the bodys organs, including the kidneys. TCM emphasizes identifying and correcting these imbalances as the key to treating chronic renal failure, in contrast to Western medicines focus on symptomatic relief.
Causes of Chronic Renal Failure According to TCM
TCM identifies two main patterns contributing to chronic renal failure: Internal Cold or Internal Heat. The Internal Cold pattern is linked to a deficiency of warming energy within the body, leading to a sluggish metabolic function and impaired Kidney efficiency.
Conversely, the Internal Heat pattern involves an excess of Heat energy, which can manifest as inflammation and toxicity, disrupting kidney function. These two contrasting patterns underscore the TCM approach of understanding and balancing the bodys internal energies to manage chronic renal failure.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Chronic Renal Failure
TCM employs specific formulas to address the distinct patterns of imbalance in chronic renal failure. To counteract Internal Cold, Da Huang Fu Zi Tang with Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is used. This formula belongs to the category of Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold, targeting the Heart, Kidney, and Spleen to restore the bodys warming energy.
In cases of Internal Heat, Liang Ge San, containing Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao), is recommended. This formula falls under Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity, targeting the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine to eliminate excess heat and toxicity. These treatments exemplify TCMs holistic approach, seeking to rebalance the bodys internal energies and thereby alleviate the symptoms of chronic renal failure.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address chronic renal failure, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that warm and purge
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
Formulas that warm and purge
Chronic renal failure can be treated by these formulas if it stems from cold accumulation coupled with excess conditions, necessitating warming and purging actions.
One such formula is Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Chronic renal failure can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity if it arises from heat toxins affecting the body.
One such formula is Liang Ge San, with forsythia fruit as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Chronic Renal Failure
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address chronic renal failure, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Chronic renal failure 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 renal failure, like Da Huang Fu Zi Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Chronic renal failure can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chronic renal failure, like Liang Ge San.