Chinese Medicine for Nephritis

Nephritis means inflammation of the kidneys. In Chinese medicine, this happens when the body’s balance between organs—especially the lungs, spleen, and kidneys—is disturbed. Each type of nephritis shows a different pattern, depending on whether the problem is caused by cold, heat, dampness, or weakness. Treatment focuses on restoring balance by moving fluids, clearing heat, and supporting weak organs.

Acute Nephritis

1. Cold-Wind Blocking the Lungs

Main Signs: Common cold, cough with thick clear mucus, dislike of cold, dry stools, swelling in the face or limbs, fever, headache, throat itch, no sweating, stuffy nose, clear nasal mucus, shortness of breath, yellow urine, thirst.

Goal: Open the lungs, help the body sweat, and improve energy flow.

Herbal Formula: Yue Bi Tang
Helpful Foods: Almonds, asparagus, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, fennel, mustard seed, cayenne pepper, star anise, tangerine, walnut, mushroom, basil, rock sugar.

2. Wind-Heat Harming the Lungs

Main Signs: Cough with yellow sticky mucus, fever, headache, sore throat, red urine, thirst, dry stools, chest pain, swollen throat, slight swelling in the limbs.

Goal: Clear heat from the lungs and help urine flow.

Herbal Formula: Yin Qiao San
Helpful Foods: Apple, cucumber, lemon, sweet potato, tofu, tomato, coriander, parsley, sweet rice, sugar.

3. Damp-Heat in the Body

Main Signs: Dry mouth, sore throat with pus, swollen tonsils, short painful urination, light swelling.

Goal: Cool the body, clear heat, and protect the kidneys.

Herbal Formula: Xiao Ji Yin Zi
Helpful Foods: Mung bean sprouts, kiwi, mango, Chinese cabbage, watermelon, peas, adzuki beans, sturgeon, ambergris.

Chronic Nephritis

4. Spleen-Dampness Affecting the Lungs

Main Signs: Belly swelling, watery stools, cough with clear mucus, poor appetite, tired limbs, heavy head, fear of cold, light sweating, swelling in the face and upper body, short breath, vomiting, sore throat.

Goal: Support the spleen and lungs, and reduce swelling.

Herbal Formula: Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang and Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao Dou Tang
Helpful Foods: Gold carp, corn, Job’s tears, barley, mung beans, bamboo shoots, cucumber, cheese, adzuki beans, seaweed, star fruit.

5. Weak Spleen and Kidney Yang

Main Signs: Swelling, bloating, tiredness, cold hands and feet, early morning diarrhea, sticky stools, poor appetite, clear urine, weak voice, and full-body swelling.

Goal: Warm the body, boost kidney energy, and move fluids.

Herbal Formula: Shi Pi Yin
Helpful Foods: Chicken, mutton, shrimp, lobster, sardine, nutmeg, fennel, black and white pepper, mustard seed, pistachio, walnut, raspberry, sparrow egg, clove.

6. Weak Energy and Blood

Main Signs: Big swelling, pale face, tiredness, dizziness, easy bleeding, numb limbs, poor sleep, pale lips and nails, weak voice, low energy.

Goal: Strengthen both energy and blood.

Herbal Formula: Shi Quan Da Bu Wan
Helpful Foods: Eggs, milk, beef, liver, abalone, longan fruit, yam, carrots, grapes, sweet rice, Job’s tears, white fungus, dates, mutton, royal jelly, ham, chestnut, potato, oyster.

7. Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency with Protein in Urine

Main Signs: Fatigue, swelling, cold limbs, diarrhea, poor appetite, frequent clear urination, and protein in the urine.

Goal: Warm and strengthen the kidneys and spleen.

Herbal Formula: Shen Qi Wan and Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Helpful Foods: Chicken, mutton, shrimp, sardine, mustard seed, walnut, raspberry, fennel, black and white pepper, clove, pistachio, sparrow egg.

8. Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency

Main Signs: Dizziness, dry eyes, dry throat, fatigue, low back pain, hot hands and feet, night sweats, ringing in ears, poor memory, weak legs.

Goal: Nourish and cool the liver and kidneys.

Herbal Formula: Jian Ling Tang
Helpful Foods: Eggs, cheese, abalone, oyster, mussel, asparagus, duck, chicken liver, pork kidney, chestnut, royal jelly, white fungus.

Chinese medicine sees nephritis as a body-wide imbalance. Each type needs its own approach—clearing heat, moving dampness, or strengthening weak organs. The right foods and herbs can restore the body’s natural balance, protect the kidneys, and help energy flow smoothly again.