How to manage deficiency of both lungs and kidneys, and what medications should be taken

Adjustment for deficiency of both the lungs and kidneys centers on lifestyle regulation, dietary adjustment, exercise, emotional well-being, and external treatments in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Medications may include those that tonify the lungs and kidneys, nourish yin and moisten the lungs, warm the kidneys and consolidate qi, replenish qi and nourish yin, or strengthen the spleen and benefit the lungs. Specific choices should be based on individual constitution and TCM pattern differentiation. If symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical attention promptly.

I. Adjustment Methods

1. Lifestyle Regulation: Ensure adequate sleep and avoid staying up late. Stay away from tobacco, alcohol, and environments with spicy or irritating substances. Keep warm to prevent colds and reduce the risk of respiratory infections, thus creating favorable conditions for lung and kidney recovery.

2. Dietary Adjustment: Increase intake of dual-purpose food-medicinal ingredients such as Chinese yam, lily bulbs, goji berries, and walnuts. Avoid raw, cold, greasy foods. Appropriately include nourishing dishes like tremella and lotus seed porridge to moisten dryness and support lung and kidney health.

3. Exercise Regulation: Choose gentle exercises such as Tai Chi, jogging, or walking. Avoid intense physical activity. Exercise about 30 minutes per session, 3–5 times per week, to enhance lung and kidney function and boost immunity.

4. Emotional Regulation: Maintain a cheerful mood and avoid excessive anxiety or depression. Regulate emotions through listening to soothing music or social communication. When liver qi flows smoothly, the qi of the lungs and kidneys remains balanced.

5. External TCM Therapies: Moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), and Feishu (BL13). Alternatively, therapeutic massage or tuina focusing on lung and kidney meridians may be used. Each session lasts 15–20 minutes, performed 2–3 times weekly, and should be administered by qualified practitioners.

II. Commonly Used Medications

1. Lung- and Kidney-Tonifying Herbs: For example, Jinshuibao Capsules, containing fermented Cordyceps powder, help tonify the lungs and kidneys, preserve essence, and boost vital energy. Suitable for chronic cough, asthmatic breathing, fatigue, and weakness due to deficiency of both lungs and kidneys.

2. Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Moistening Herbs: For example, Baihe Gujin Pills, which nourish lung yin, resolve phlegm, and relieve cough. Indicated for dry cough with little sputum, sore throat, and dryness caused by yin deficiency of the lungs and kidneys.

3. Kidney-Warming and Qi-Consolidating Herbs: For example, Jinkui Shenqi Pills combined with Shen Ge Powder, which warm and tonify kidney yang, consolidate qi, and relieve asthma. Suitable for shortness of breath, wheezing, cold intolerance, and cold limbs due to yang deficiency in lung-kidney deficiency.

4. Qi-Benefiting and Yin-Nourishing Herbs: For example, Shengmai Drink combined with Liuwei Dihuang Pills, which replenish qi, nourish yin, and tonify kidney yin. Used for symptoms such as dry mouth, fatigue, night sweats, and thirst due to combined lung-kidney yin deficiency with qi deficiency.

5. Spleen-Strengthening and Lung-Supporting Herbs: For example, Shenling Baizhu Powder combined with Yupingfeng Powder, which strengthen the spleen, benefit qi, support the lungs, and reinforce the exterior. By enhancing "earth" (spleen) to generate "metal" (lungs), this combination indirectly nourishes kidney yin. Suitable for cases of lung-kidney deficiency accompanied by spleen deficiency.

Daily care should include regular作息 (daily routines), a balanced diet, consistent moderate exercise, avoiding overexertion, adjusting clothing according to seasonal changes, minimizing outdoor activities during smoggy weather, ensuring indoor ventilation, and long-term maintenance to support recovery of lung and kidney functions.