Kidney Infectionaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammations
Sub-symptom(s): Acute Kidney Infections
What is Kidney Infection?
Kidney infection, medically known as pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary tract infection that generally starts in the urethra or bladder and travels up into the kidneys. This serious condition can cause high fever, chills, nausea, and pain in the back, side, or groin.
If not treated promptly, it can lead to kidney scarring or sepsis, a potentially life-threatening response to infection. It’s crucial to treat a kidney infection with appropriate medical intervention to prevent these complications.
How Does TCM View Kidney Infection?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards kidney infection as a disturbance of the body's natural balance, particularly involving the kidney organ system. TCM differentiates conditions not by the infecting organism, as in Western medicine, but by patterns of symptoms and constitutional imbalances.
A TCM diagnosis might involve identifying patterns such as Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder or a Deficiency in the kidney's Yang. The precise pattern identified guides the treatment strategy, emphasizing the importance of a tailored approach to restore health.
Causes of Kidney Infection According to TCM
TCM attributes kidney infection to factors such as Damp-Heat accumulating in the Bladder and Kidney Yang Deficiency. The former can cause symptoms like burning on urination and dark, cloudy urine, while the latter may present with fatigue, a sensation of cold, and edema.
These patterns indicate an excess or deficiency affecting the body's Qi, the vital force that maintains health. Treatment in TCM seeks to correct these imbalances, thereby addressing both the symptoms and the deeper causes of kidney infection.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Kidney Infection
In managing kidney infections, TCM practitioners may use Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, a formula containing Baikal Skullcap Roots, to clear Damp-Heat and Toxic-Heat from the body. San Ren Tang, with its key herb Apricot Seeds, is utilized for Dampness in the Gallbladder. For more severe Heat and Blood Stagnation, Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang with Rhubarb can be effective.
Additionally, Dao Chi San may be prescribed for Full-Heat in the Small Intestine, illustrating the wide range of herbal formulas available to treat the diverse patterns associated with kidney infections in TCM. These treatments are highly individualized, reflecting the patient's specific disharmony and the holistic nature of TCM.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address kidney infection, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores
- Formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders
- Formulas that warm yang and tonify
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Kidney infection 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 Dao Chi San, with akebia stem as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for kidney infection
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Dao Chi San | Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) |
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Kidney infection 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 Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness" recommended for kidney infection
Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores
Kidney infection can be treated by these formulas if it is related to internal heat causing abscesses and sores.
One such formula is Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Kidney infection can be treated by these formulas in cases of imbalances in the lesser Yang (Shao Yang) phase, which often involve alternating hot and cold sensations.
One such formula is Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, with sweet wormwood herb as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Kidney infection 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 promote urination and leach out Dampness
Kidney infection 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.
Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Kidney infection can be treated by formulas that clear external abscesses and sores if it is due to localized infections or inflammations on the skin.
One such formula is Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Kidney Infection
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address kidney infection, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
Herbs that drain Dampness
Kidney infection 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 Akebia Stems (Mu Tong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like Dao Chi San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for kidney infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) | Dao Chi San |
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) | San Ren Tang |
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wu Ling San |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Kidney infection 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 Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for kidney infection
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang |
| Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang |
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Kidney infection can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Kidney infection 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 kidney infection, like Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang.
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Kidney infection can be treated by these herbs when it originates from obstructions in the lung pathways, helping to ease respiratory discomfort and restore normal breathing.
One such herb is Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like San Ren Tang.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Kidney infection 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 Cardamon Fruits (Bai Dou Kou), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like San Ren Tang.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Kidney infection 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 kidney infection, like Shen Qi Wan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Kidney infection 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 kidney infection, like Shen Qi Wan.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Kidney infection 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 Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for kidney infection, like Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin.