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What to eat for replenishing qi and nourishing the kidneys

Sep 16, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
Qi and kidney tonic can be assisted through dietary regulation, while medications should be selected according to specific symptoms. Commonly used foods generally include Chinese yam, black soybeans, walnuts, wolfberry, and lotus seeds. Commonly used medications typically include Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Jin Kui Kidney Qi Pills), Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pills), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Spleen and Lung Tonifying Pills), Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five Seeds Progeny Pills), and Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan (Ginseng Spleen-Strengthening Pills). Chinese yam contains mucilaginous protein and vitamins, which can nourish the spleen and stomach, benefit the kidneys, and consolidate essence, thereby enhancing the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach.

　　Qi and kidney deficiency can be improved through dietary assistance and proper medication. Common foods include Chinese yam, black beans, walnuts, goji berries, and lotus seeds. Common medications include Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, and Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan. The details are as follows:

　　I. Foods

　　1. Chinese Yam: Contains mucilaginous protein and vitamins, can nourish the spleen and stomach, benefit the kidney, and relieve dampness, enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, and assist in improving kidney qi deficiency. It is suitable for steaming or cooking porridge.

　　2. Black Beans: Rich in protein and trace elements, it has the effects of strengthening the spleen and kidney, activating blood circulation, and promoting diuresis. It can provide nutrition for the kidneys and is suitable for stewing soup or making soy milk.

　　3. Walnuts: Contain unsaturated fatty acids and minerals, can nourish the kidney, strengthen the waist, moisten the intestines, and relieve constipation. They help alleviate soreness and weakness in the waist and knees and can be eaten raw or used in cooking.

　　4. Goji Berries: Contain Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and vitamins, can nourish the liver and kidney, enrich essence, and improve vision. They can improve fatigue caused by liver and kidney deficiency and are suitable for steeping in water or cooking porridge.

　　5. Lotus Seeds: Contain starch and dietary fiber, have the effects of nourishing the spleen to stop diarrhea and benefiting the kidney to consolidate essence. They can regulate the spleen and kidney and are suitable for stewing soup or eating with grains.

　　II. Medications

　　1. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan: Composed of ingredients such as Aconite Root (Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui), and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang), it has the effect of warming and tonifying kidney yang. It is suitable for symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the waist and knees and cold limbs caused by kidney yang deficiency. It should be taken according to medical advice.

　　2. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: Contains ingredients such as Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) and Cornus Fruit (Shan Zhu Yu), can nourish yin and replenish the kidney. It is suitable for dizziness and tinnitus, night sweats caused by kidney yin deficiency. Use according to the instructions or medical advice.

　　3. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan: Contains ingredients such as Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) and Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen), has the effect of replenishing middle jiao qi. It is suitable for fatigue caused by spleen and stomach weakness and sinking of middle jiao qi. Medication should be guided by a physician.

　　4. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan: Composed of ingredients such as Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) and Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), it can nourish the kidney and enrich essence. It is suitable for impotence and infertility caused by kidney deficiency and essence depletion. It should be taken according to medical advice and for the prescribed course.

　　5. Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan: Contains ingredients such as Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu), has the effect of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi. It is suitable for indigestion and fatigue caused by spleen and stomach weakness. It should strictly be taken according to medical advice.

　　Maintain a balanced diet in daily life, avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods, and appropriately consume the above-mentioned nourishing foods. Before taking medication, identify your body constitution; those with yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity should use warming and tonifying medicines cautiously and must follow medical advice. If symptoms such as persistent fatigue and soreness and pain in the waist and knees occur, seek timely medical consultation for syndrome differentiation and regulation.

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