What medications can be taken to nourish the kidneys?

Generally, kidney-tonifying medications are primarily used to improve symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, cold intolerance, and cold limbs caused by deficiencies of kidney qi, kidney yin, or kidney yang. The appropriate medication should be selected according to the specific syndrome type under medical guidance. Patients may follow medical advice to use drugs such as Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, and Zuo Gui Wan for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Jin Kui Kidney Qi Pills)

Composed of ingredients including Rehmannia glutinosa, Chinese yam, and Cornus officinalis, this formula warms and tonifies kidney yang and promotes qi transformation to regulate fluid metabolism. By reinforcing kidney yang, it helps alleviate symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, cold intolerance with cold limbs, difficulty or excessive urination, phlegm retention, coughing, and wheezing. It is suitable for individuals with kidney yang deficiency.

2. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pills)

Contains prepared Rehmannia glutinosa, wine-processed Cornus officinalis, Moutan bark, and other ingredients, and has the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys. It replenishes kidney yin and relieves symptoms caused by kidney yin deficiency, such as dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, tidal fever, night sweats, nocturnal emission, and thirst. It is commonly used for patients with kidney yin deficiency.

3. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five-Seed Progeny Promoting Pills)

Main ingredients include Lycium barbarum (Goji berries), Cuscuta chinensis (dodder seeds), and Rubus idaeus (raspberry seeds). This formula tonifies the kidneys and benefits essence. It is effective for symptoms caused by kidney essence deficiency, such as impotence, infertility, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, low back pain, and post-urination dribbling. It is suitable for individuals with insufficient kidney essence.

4. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Rehmannia Pills)

Built upon the base of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with the addition of Anemarrhena and Phellodendron, this formula not only nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys but also clears heat and reduces fire. It is indicated for individuals with kidney yin deficiency accompanied by ascending deficient fire, presenting symptoms such as tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth, sore throat, tinnitus, nocturnal emission, and dark, scanty urine.

5. Zuo Gui Wan (Left-Returning Pills)

Composed of prepared Rehmannia glutinosa, Cuscuta chinensis, Achyranthes root, and other ingredients, this formula strongly nourishes kidney yin. It enhances nourishment of true yin and improves symptoms caused by severe deficiency of true yin, such as lower back soreness, weak knees, night sweats, fatigue, and dry mouth. It is particularly suitable for individuals with severe kidney yin deficiency.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular作息 (daily routine) and avoid staying up late, which can deplete kidney essence. A balanced diet that includes kidney-benefiting foods such as black sesame seeds and walnuts is recommended, while excessive consumption of raw, cold, spicy, or irritating foods should be avoided. Moderate exercise, such as walking or practicing Tai Chi, can help strengthen the body and support kidney function recovery.