Nephritis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nephritis is often viewed as a disorder involving the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys, with disruption of water metabolism leading to edema, urinary abnormalities, and systemic symptoms. Acute cases frequently arise from external Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, while chronic cases commonly involve Spleen-Kidney deficiency.

Treatment focuses on promoting urination, reducing edema, regulating Lung Qi, strengthening the Spleen and Kidneys, and restoring proper fluid metabolism.

Acute Nephritis

Wind-Cold Restricting the Lungs

Common Signs

• Recent cold or flu

• Fever

• Aversion to cold

• Edema of face and limbs

• Scant yellow urine

• Cough with clear sputum

• Nasal congestion

• Headache

• Panting

• Thirst

Treatment Principle

Release the exterior, open the Lungs, induce sweating, and promote urination.

Traditional Formula

Yue-Bi-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

• Almond

• Tangerine

• Walnut

• Ginger

• Peppermint

• Spearmint

• Sweet basil

• Mushroom

• Asparagus

Wind-Heat Offending the Lungs

Common Signs

• Fever

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Thirst

• Yellow sticky sputum

• Mild edema that gradually worsens

• Red or scant urine

• Blood-streaked sputum

• Chest discomfort

Treatment Principle

Clear Lung Heat, release the exterior, and promote urination.

Traditional Formula

Yin-Qiao-San

Traditional Food Therapy

• Apple

• Lemon

• Tomato

• Tofu

• Coriander

• Parsley

• Sweet potato

Damp-Heat

Common Signs

• Light edema

• Swollen tonsils

• Pus in the throat

• Dry mouth

• Frequent urination

• Red, scant urine

• Sore throat

Treatment Principle

Clear Heat, detoxify, nourish Yin, and promote urination.

Traditional Formula

Xiao-Ji-Yin-Zi

Traditional Food Therapy

• Watermelon

• Kiwi

• Mung bean sprouts

• Chinese cabbage

• Mango

• Pea

• Adzuki bean

Chronic Nephritis

Spleen-Dampness Affecting the Lungs

Common Signs

• Severe edema of face and upper body

• Fatigue

• Poor appetite

• Watery sputum

• Fear of cold

• Shortness of breath

• Heavy sensation in head and body

• Swollen hands and feet

Treatment Principle

Strengthen the Spleen, open the Lungs, and reduce edema.

Traditional Formula

Yue-Bi-Jia-Zhu-Tang with Ma-Huang-Lian-Qiao-Chi-Xiao-Dou-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

• Job's tears

• Adzuki beans

• Barley

• Seaweed

• Cucumber

• Bamboo shoot

• Shepherd's purse

Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

• Generalized edema

• Ascites

• Fatigue

• Cold hands and feet

• Cold low back

• Dawn diarrhea

• Poor appetite

• Clear urine

• Weakness of the limbs

Treatment Principle

Warm Spleen and Kidney Yang and promote urination.

Traditional Formula

Shi-Pi-Yin

Traditional Food Therapy

• Mutton

• Walnut

• Lobster

• Shrimp

• Raspberry

• Kidney

• Fennel

• Nutmeg

• Clove

Simultaneous Deficiency of Qi and Blood

Common Signs

• Severe edema following abdominal swelling

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Pale complexion

• Pale lips and nails

• Low energy

• Palpitations

• Insomnia

• Scant urine

Treatment Principle

Tonify Qi and Blood simultaneously.

Traditional Formula

Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

• Beef liver

• Longan

• Yam

• White fungus

• Duck egg

• Beef

• Cherry

• Chestnut

• Red dates

Proteinuria with Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

• Protein in urine

• Generalized edema

• Fatigue

• Poor appetite

• Cold intolerance

• Dawn diarrhea

• Frequent clear urination

• Weak limbs

Treatment Principle

Strengthen Spleen and Kidney Yang.

Traditional Formula

Shen-Qi-Wan with Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

• Walnut

• Raspberry

• Lobster

• Shrimp

• Pork kidney

• Chicken

• Sardine

• Pistachio

Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency

Common Signs

• Dizziness

• Blurred vision

• Dry eyes

• Dry throat

• Night sweats

• Tinnitus

• Lumbago

• Weak knees

• Insomnia

• Hot palms and soles

Treatment Principle

Nourish Liver Yin and Kidney Yin.

Traditional Formula

Jian-Ling-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

• White fungus

• Asparagus

• Duck egg

• Oyster

• Pork

• Abalone

• Mussel

• Chicken liver

• Chestnut

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Acute Wind-Cold Pattern

Favor:

• Ginger

• Warm soups

• Tangerine

• Walnut

Acute Wind-Heat Pattern

Favor:

• Lemon

• Apple

• Tomato

• Coriander

Damp-Heat Pattern

Favor:

• Watermelon

• Kiwi

• Mung bean sprouts

• Chinese cabbage

Yang Deficiency Pattern

Favor:

• Mutton

• Walnut

• Shrimp

• Lobster

• Fennel

Yin Deficiency Pattern

Favor:

• White fungus

• Asparagus

• Duck egg

• Oyster

Related Formulas

• Yue-Bi-Tang

• Yin-Qiao-San

• Xiao-Ji-Yin-Zi

• Yue-Bi-Jia-Zhu-Tang

• Shi-Pi-Yin

• Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Wan

• Shen-Qi-Wan

• Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan

• Jian-Ling-Tang

Important Note

Nephritis can be a serious kidney disorder. Significant swelling, blood in the urine, high blood pressure, reduced urine output, shortness of breath, or worsening kidney function require prompt medical evaluation and monitoring.