What medications are good for nourishing the kidney?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, kidney nourishment can be managed under medical guidance with herbal formulations such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, Gui Fu Di Huang Wan, and Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan for regulation. It is also important to maintain a regular作息 (routine/sleep schedule), avoid staying up late, minimize excessive fatigue, incorporate foods such as black beans, black sesame seeds, and walnuts into the diet, and engage in moderate physical activities such as walking or practicing tai chi.
Generally, kidney nourishment can be achieved by following medical advice to use medications such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill), Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill), Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium & Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill), Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon & Aconite Rehmannia Pill), and Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five-Seed Formula for Descendants), among others, to regulate kidney health. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill)
This is a commonly used Chinese patent medicine for nourishing kidney yin, composed of ingredients such as Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea opposita, Alisma plantago-aquatica, etc. It nourishes kidney yin to improve symptoms caused by yin deficiency such as dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, tidal fever, night sweats, and seminal emission. It is suitable for patients with kidney yin deficiency and serves as a fundamental treatment for replenishing kidney yin.
2. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill)
This formula contains ingredients such as Aconitum carmichaelii, Cinnamomi ramulus, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Cornus officinalis, etc. It warms and tonifies kidney yang, promotes qi transformation, and facilitates water metabolism. It enhances kidney yang and improves symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, cold intolerance, cold limbs, difficult or excessive urination, phlegm accumulation, asthma, and cough. It is suitable for patients with kidney yang deficiency accompanied by abnormal water metabolism.
3. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium & Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill)
Based on Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, this formula adds Lycium barbarum and Chrysanthemum morifolium, which nourish the liver and kidneys and improve vision. In addition to nourishing kidney yin, it also alleviates symptoms caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency, such as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, and dry eyes. It is suitable for patients with kidney yin deficiency combined with liver fire rising or vision deterioration.
4. Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon & Aconite Rehmannia Pill)
Composed of Cinnamomi ramulus, Aconitum carmichaelii, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Cornus officinalis, etc., its primary function is to warm and strengthen kidney yang. It warms kidney yang to relieve symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees, difficulty or excessive urination, phlegm accumulation, asthma, cough, cold intolerance, and cold limbs. It is suitable for patients with simple kidney yang deficiency without significant internal retention of dampness.
5. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five-Seed Formula for Descendants)
This formula contains Lycium barbarum, Cuscuta chinensis, Rubus chingii, Schisandra chinensis, Plantago asiatica, etc., and functions to nourish the kidneys and replenish essence. It helps alleviate symptoms caused by kidney essence deficiency, such as impotence, infertility, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, lower back pain, and post-urination dribbling. It is suitable for patients with kidney essence deficiency whose reproductive or urinary functions are affected.
In daily life, maintaining a regular routine, avoiding staying up late, reducing excessive fatigue, and eating foods such as black beans, black sesame seeds, and walnuts appropriately are recommended. Moderate exercise, such as walking or practicing Tai Chi, is also beneficial. Avoid frequent late nights and excessive sexual activity to support kidney function recovery.
