Uremia in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uremia is often viewed as a severe disorder involving failure of Kidney Qi transformation, leading to accumulation of turbid toxins, disruption of water metabolism, and dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach. Common manifestations include nausea, vomiting, edema, fatigue, shortness of breath, and urinary abnormalities.

Treatment focuses on restoring Kidney function, strengthening the Spleen, harmonizing the Stomach, promoting urination, and directing rebellious Qi downward.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Stomach Qi Rebellion Nausea, vomiting, hiccups Harmonize Stomach and descend rebellious Qi Xiao-Ban-Xia-Jia-Fu-Ling-Tang Radish, loquat, almond
Kidney Yang Deficiency Edema, cold limbs, lumbago Warm Kidney Yang and support Kidney function Di-Huang-Yin-Zi Walnut, shrimp, kidney-supportive foods
Spleen-Kidney Deficiency Fatigue, diarrhea, dizziness Strengthen Spleen and Kidneys simultaneously Ren-Shen-Yang-Ying-Tang Beef, yam, dates, chestnut

Uremia

Stomach Qi Rebellion

Common Signs

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Nausea

  • Dry retching

  • Hiccups with short sounds

  • Upset stomach

  • Sleepiness

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting immediately after eating

  • Vomiting food, watery sputum, bitter fluid, or acidic fluid

  • Morning vomiting after eating the previous evening

  • Evening vomiting after eating in the morning

Treatment Principle

Harmonize the Stomach and direct rebellious Stomach Qi downward.

Traditional Formula

Xiao-Ban-Xia-Jia-Fu-Ling-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Almond

  • Radish

  • Loquat

  • Coriander

  • Pea

  • Cashew

  • Buckwheat

  • Common carp

  • Rice bran

  • Sword bean

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Cold feet

  • Cold low back and legs

  • Cold sensation in the genitals

  • Edema

  • Fatigue

  • Frequent nighttime urination

  • Hair loss

  • Impotence

  • Infertility

  • Poor appetite

  • Lumbago

  • Retention of urine

  • Tinnitus

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing

  • Chronic diarrhea, especially before dawn

  • Palpitations

Treatment Principle

Warm Kidney Yang and support the true Yang of the Kidneys.

Traditional Formula

Di-Huang-Yin-Zi

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Walnut

  • Raspberry

  • Shrimp

  • Sardine

  • Lobster

  • Pork kidney

  • Clove

  • Fennel

  • Pistachio

  • Sparrow egg

Spleen-Kidney Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Chronic diarrhea

  • Difficult urination

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue of the limbs

  • Insomnia

  • Blurred or misty vision

  • Palpitations

  • Shortness of breath

  • Yellowish complexion

Treatment Principle

Strengthen the Spleen and Kidneys simultaneously.

Traditional Formula

Ren-Shen-Yang-Ying-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Beef

  • Chicken egg yolk

  • Chicken liver

  • Beef kidney

  • Pork kidney

  • Sea cucumber

  • Scallop

  • White fungus

  • Chestnut

  • Sweet potato

  • Rice

  • Red dates

  • Black dates

  • Yam

  • Walnut

  • Raspberry

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Stomach Qi Rebellion Pattern

Favor:

  • Radish

  • Loquat

  • Almond

  • Light, easily digested foods

  • Small frequent meals

Avoid:

  • Heavy greasy foods

  • Overeating

  • Late-night meals

Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Favor:

  • Walnut

  • Shrimp

  • Sardine

  • Lobster

  • Kidney meats

  • Fennel

  • Clove

Avoid:

  • Excess cold foods

  • Excess raw foods

  • Ice drinks

Spleen-Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Favor:

  • Yam

  • Chestnut

  • Dates

  • Rice

  • Sweet potato

  • Beef

  • Eggs

Avoid:

  • Excess sweets

  • Damp-forming foods

  • Excessive alcohol

Related Formulas

  • Xiao-Ban-Xia-Jia-Fu-Ling-Tang

  • Di-Huang-Yin-Zi

  • Ren-Shen-Yang-Ying-Tang

Important Note

Uremia represents advanced kidney dysfunction and requires ongoing medical management. Symptoms such as severe edema, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent vomiting, markedly decreased urine output, or chest pain warrant prompt medical evaluation.