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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) |
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.
Formula | Key herbs |
---|---|
Fu Zi Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
Zhen Wu Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
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.
Formula | Key herbs |
---|---|
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San | Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu), Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Liquorice (Gan Cao) |
Yu Ping Feng San | Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) |
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.
Formula | Key herbs |
---|---|
Wu Ling San | Water Plantain (Ze Xie) |
Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang | Stephania Roots (Fang Ji), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) |
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.
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 Shen Qi Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address nephritis, organized by herb category.
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.
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.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) | Shi Zao Tang |
Genkwa Flowers (Yuan Hua) | Shi Zao Tang |
Poke Roots (Shang Lu) | Shu Zao Yin Zi |
Morning Glory Seeds (Qian Niu Zi) | Yu Gong San |
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.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wei Ling Tang | Wu Ling San |
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) | Shen Ling Bai Zhu San |
Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |
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.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang | Shen Qi Wan | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
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.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi) | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang |
Motherwort Herbs (Yi Mu Cao) | Not applicable |
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.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao) | Er Xian Tang |
Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) | Er Xian Tang |
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.
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.
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 Shen Qi Wan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 nephritis, like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang.
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.