Nephritis
Nephritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the kidneys, which can lead to various symptoms affecting the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a range of natural remedies to address these symptoms and promote overall kidney health. In this article, we explore various TCM treatments for nephritis based on the specific symptoms and underlying causes.
Acute
- Cold-wind Restricting the Lungs
Symptoms: Cough with heavy, unclear sounds and clear sputum, dislike of cold, dry stools, edema in the head, face and limbs, fever, headache, itch in the throat, lack of perspiration, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, panting, scant and yellowish urine, and thirst.
Treatment: To expand the lungs, induce perspiration, and promote energy circulation, Yue-Bi-Tang can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as almond, rock sugar, asparagus, peppermint (including oil), spearmint, sweet basil, cayenne pepper, fennel, fresh ginger, mustard seed, star anise, prickly ash leaf, leaf or brown mustard, walnut, common button mushroom, and tangerine.
- Wind-heat Offending the Lungs
Symptoms: Common cold, coughing out yellow and sticky sputum, dry stools, fever, flickering of nostrils, headache, light edema in the four limbs gradually becoming more severe, pain in the chest, pain in the throat, scant and reddish urine, sputum with blood, sore throat, and thirst in the mouth with a desire for drink.
Treatment: To expand the lungs and clear heat in the lungs and promote urination, Yin-Qiao-San can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as apple, apple cucumber, sweet rice, lemon, sweet potato, tofu, tomato, white sugar, coriander, and parsley.
- Dampness Heat
Symptoms: Dry mouth, frequent urination in short, reddish streams, light edema, sore throat with pus in the back of the throat, and swollen tonsils.
Treatment: To water and nourish the kidneys' yin and clear heat and detoxicate, Xiao-Ji-Yin-Zi can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as mung bean sprouts, ambergris, kiwi fruit, sturgeon, adzuki bean, Chinese cabbage, mango, pea, and watermelon.
Chronic
- Spleen-dampness Offending the Lungs
Symptoms: Abdominal swelling with watery stools, cough, discharge of sputum that can be coughed out easily, discharge of white, watery sputum, fatigue of the four limbs, fear of cold, heavy sensations in head as if head were wrapped up, heavy sensations in the limbs and trunk, inability to lie on back, perspiration or light perspiration, poor appetite, severe edema particularly in the head and face and the upper half of the body, shortness of breath, sore throat, swelling of hands and feet, and vomiting.
Treatment: To expand the lungs, strengthen the spleen, and reduce edema, Yue-Bi-Jia-Zhu-Tang with Ma-Huang-Lian-Qiao-Chi-Xiao-Dou-Tang can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as gold carp, corncob, horse bean, Job's-tears, prickly ash, adzuki bean, bamboo shoot, cheese, ambergris, barley, common carp, cucumber, mung bean, seaweed, shepherd's purse, and star fruit.
- Spleen-Kidneys Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Abdominal swelling like a drum, ascites, being physically weak and too tired to talk, cold hands and feet, cold loins, diarrhea before dawn, diarrhea with sticky and muddy stools, edema that occurs all over the body, fatigue, fear of cold, four limbs weakness, frequent urination in clear or white streams, mentally fatigued, poor appetite, scant and clear urine, and sputum rumbling with panting.
Treatment: To warm the spleen and kidneys yang, promote energy circulation, and urination, Shi-Pi-Yin can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as air bladder of shark, chicken, cayenne pepper, fennel, nutmeg, black and white pepper, prickly ash, mutton, sword bean, white or yellow mustard, kidneys, lobster, sardine, shrimp, sparrow, clove, dill seed, pistachio nut, sparrow egg, crab apple, raspberry, and walnut.
- Simultaneous Deficiency of Energy and Blood
Symptoms: Abdominal swelling followed by severe edema, bleeding of various kinds with blood in light color, often seen in consumptive diseases, dizziness, edema that appears only slightly depressed on finger pressure, fatigue, flying objects seen in front of the eyes, insomnia, low energy, low voice, numbness of limbs, pale complexion and lips, pale nails, palpitations, and scant urine.
Treatment: To tone energy and blood simultaneously, Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Wan can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as abalone, asparagus, cuttlefish, chicken egg, duck egg, white fungus, beef liver, grape, mandarin fish, oyster, milk, beef, cherry, blood clam, longan nut, maltose, Irish potato, sweet rice, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, ham, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job's-tears, royal jelly, string bean, whitefish, yam, red and black date, mutton, squash, and rock sugar.
- Wind-heat Offending the Lungs
Symptoms: Blurred vision, difficulty in both defecation and urination, dizziness, dry eyes, dry throat, fatigue, headache with pain in the brow, lumbago, night blindness, night sweats, pain in the upper abdomen, palms of hands and soles of feet are both hot, paralysis, ringing in the ears, sleeplessness with forgetfulness, weak loins and tibia, and withering complexion.
Treatment: To water the liver and kidneys yin, Jian-Ling-Tang can be used. This remedy contains ingredients such as bird's nest, cheese, chicken egg, kidney bean, brown sugar, mussel, abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, cuttlefish, duck, duck egg, white fungus, oyster, pork, royal jelly, chestnut, chicken liver, and pork kidneys.
Conclusion
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers various natural remedies to address the diverse symptoms of nephritis based on the specific underlying causes. These treatments aim to improve kidney health, relieve discomfort, and promote overall wellness. If you are considering using TCM for nephritis, it is essential to consult with a qualified practitioner to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific condition. Remember that TCM should be used as a complementary approach and should not replace conventional medical care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.