What is nephritis?
Nephritis, commonly referred to as inflammation of the kidneys, encompasses various forms such as acute or chronic nephritis, glomerulonephritis, and pyelonephritis.
This condition involves the inflammation of the kidneys, which can impede their ability to filter waste and regulate fluid balance. It often manifests as swelling, hypertension, and in severe cases, can lead to kidney failure. The causes can range from autoimmune diseases to infections, with symptoms varying based on the specific type of nephritis.
How does TCM view nephritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches nephritis from a holistic perspective, viewing it as a symptom of imbalance or disharmony within the body's systems.
Unlike Western medicine, which typically focuses on the organ itself, TCM considers underlying patterns of disharmony that may contribute to nephritis. These patterns are identified through detailed patient assessments, and treatment is tailored to address the specific disharmonies, which could vary significantly from one patient to another.
Causes of nephritis according to TCM
In TCM, nephritis is often linked to specific disharmonies or imbalances. For instance, a common cause is Kidney Yang Deficiency, where the body's vital Yang energy is insufficient, leading to a reduced ability to process and eliminate Body Fluids effectively.
Another cause could be Damp-Phlegm accumulation, a condition where excess moisture and metabolic waste congest the body, particularly affecting kidney function. These examples underscore TCM's focus on underlying systemic issues rather than just the affected organ, highlighting a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment.
TCM's approach to treating nephritis involves various formulas and herbs, each addressing different underlying patterns. For one of the pattern such as Blood Stagnation, a formula like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, with Milkvetch Roots, is used to warm the meridians and disperse Cold.
In cases of Kidney Yang Deficiency, "Shen Qi Wan," containing Prepared aconite, is prescribed to warm yang and tonify. These formulas are part of a larger pharmacopeia tailored to individual patterns observed in nephritis patients, illustrating TCM's personalized and holistic approach to healing.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address nephritis, organized by formula type.
- Formulas that drive out excess water
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that tonify yin and yang
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
- Formulas that warm yang and tonify
- Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that clear heat from deficiency
Formulas that drive out excess water
Nephritis can be treated by these formulas when it is a consequence of accumulated excess water or fluid in the body, demanding diuretic actions to promote its expulsion.
One such formula is Shi Zao Tang, with kansui root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that drive out excess water" recommended for nephritis
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
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 nephritis
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Nephritis 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 nephritis
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
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.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness" recommended for nephritis
Formulas that tonify Yin and Yang
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 Huan Shao Dan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that tonify yin and yang" recommended for nephritis
Formulas that tonify Qi
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.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that tonify qi" recommended for nephritis
Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold
Nephritis can be treated by these formulas if it results from cold obstructing the meridians, leading to pain or stiffness, requiring warming and dispersing actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Nephritis 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 Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
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.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Nephritis 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 clear Wind-Cold
Nephritis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Xiao Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind
Nephritis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to internal wind, which is often associated with spasms, tremors, or dizziness.
One such formula is Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, with achyranthes root as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
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 warm the middle and dispel Cold
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 clear Heat and expel dampness
Nephritis 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 clear Heat from Deficiency
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.
TCM Herbs for Nephritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address nephritis, organized by herb category.
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Cathartic herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that stop bleeding
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Laxative herbs that drain downward
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for nephritis
Cathartic herbs that drain downward
Nephritis can be treated by these herbs when due to excess accumulation in the intestines and stomach, aiding in eliminating waste and toxins through purgation.
One such herb is Kansui Roots (Gan Sui),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Shi Zao Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cathartic herbs that drain downward" recommended for nephritis
Herbs that drain Dampness
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 Water Plantain (Ze Xie),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Wei Ling Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for nephritis
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Nephritis 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 nephritis,
like Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for nephritis
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Nephritis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for nephritis
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
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 Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Huan Shao Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency" recommended for nephritis
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
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 nephritis,
like Er Xian Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency" recommended for nephritis
Herbs that stop bleeding
Nephritis can be treated by these herbs in cases where it is due to internal or external bleeding, working to stabilize and constrict blood flow.
One such herb is Cogongrass Rhizomes (Bai Mao Gen),
which is directly recommended for nephritis.
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Nephritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Dogbane Leaves (Luo Bu Ma),
which is directly recommended for nephritis.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
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 nephritis,
like Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan.
Laxative herbs that drain downward
Nephritis can be treated by these herbs when there's a need for a milder form of bowel movement to alleviate constipation and regulate digestion.
One such herb is Peking Spurge Roots (Jing Da Ji),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for nephritis,
like Shi Zao Tang.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Nephritis 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 nephritis,
like Wei Ling Tang.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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 nephritis,
like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
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 nephritis,
like Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Nephritis 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 nephritis,
like Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
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 nephritis,
like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang.
