What is the best food to nourish the kidneys?
Sep 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, for kidney tonification, one can consume foods such as black beans, goji berries, mulberries, water caltrop (Euryale ferox), and sea bass. Under medical guidance, herbal medicines like Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Zuo Gui Wan, You Gui Wan, and Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan may also be taken for调理 (regulation and adjustment). Additionally, it is important to maintain a regular daily routine and avoid staying up late, as well as engage in moderate exercise such as walking or tai chi.
Generally, for kidney tonification, foods such as black beans, goji berries, mulberries, lotus seeds (qian shi), and sea bass may be consumed. Additionally, medications like Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Zuo Gui Wan, You Gui Wan, and Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan can be taken under medical guidance to regulate kidney health. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Foods
1. Black Beans
Rich in protein, anthocyanins, and various trace elements, anthocyanins have antioxidant properties that help protect kidney cells and reduce oxidative damage. The plant-based protein supports overall nutrition and aids kidney metabolism, making black beans suitable for daily kidney support.
2. Goji Berries
Contain polysaccharides, beta-carotene, and other components. Goji polysaccharides help regulate immune function and reduce kidney inflammation, while beta-carotene converts into vitamin A, protecting the mucosal tissues of the kidneys. Regular consumption helps maintain normal kidney function.
3. Mulberries
Rich in vitamin C, iron, and anthocyanins. Vitamin C promotes the excretion of metabolic waste by the kidneys; iron helps prevent weakness caused by renal anemia; anthocyanins protect kidney blood vessels and reduce vascular damage, thereby supporting improved kidney function.
4. Lotus Seeds (Qian Shi)
Contain abundant starch, dietary fiber, and various minerals. Dietary fiber enhances intestinal motility, reducing the buildup of metabolic waste and easing the excretory burden on the kidneys. The minerals help replenish essential nutrients and maintain internal stability within the kidneys.
5. Sea Bass
High in high-quality protein and low in fat, sea bass provides easily digestible and absorbable protein that supplies building blocks for kidney repair without significantly increasing metabolic strain. It is ideal for individuals seeking kidney support while maintaining balanced nutrition.
II. Medications
1. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan
Composed of ingredients such as aconite root, cinnamon bark, and prepared rehmannia, this formula warms and tonifies kidney yang. It helps alleviate symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, cold intolerance, cold limbs, and poor urination. By warming kidney yang, it regulates kidney physiological functions.
2. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Contains prepared rehmannia, cornus fruit (shan zhu yu), Chinese yam (shan yao), and others. It nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys, commonly used for symptoms due to kidney yin deficiency such as dizziness, tinnitus, weak lower back and knees, night sweats, and nocturnal emissions. By enriching kidney yin, it balances yin and yang in the kidneys and improves symptoms of yin deficiency.
3. Zuo Gui Wan
Formulated with prepared rehmannia, dodder seed (tu si zi), achyranthes root (niu xi), and others, this pill nourishes the kidneys and enriches yin, replenishes essence, and strengthens the marrow. Suitable for conditions such as lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, and seminal emission caused by kidney yin and essence deficiency. It enhances kidney function by replenishing vital essence.
4. You Gui Wan
Contains prepared rehmannia, aconite root, deer horn gelatin (lu jiao jiao), and others. It warms and tonifies kidney yang and enriches essence and marrow. It helps relieve symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency and decline of life gate fire (ming men huo), such as fatigue, cold intolerance, cold limbs, impotence, and seminal emission. By warming the life gate fire, it improves kidney yang deficiency.
5. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Composed of goji berries, dodder seed, raspberry seed (fu pen zi), and others, this formula tonifies the kidneys and enriches essence. It is indicated for conditions such as impotence, infertility, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, and lower back pain due to kidney deficiency and depletion of essence. By replenishing kidney essence, it strengthens the kidney’s ability to store essence and alleviates related discomforts.
In daily life, one should also maintain regular作息 (daily routines), avoid staying up late, engage in moderate exercise such as walking or tai chi, reduce intake of high-salt and high-fat foods to lessen the burden on the kidneys. When necessary, seek timely medical advice and use medications only under professional supervision to avoid self-medication.
