What should reed rhizome (bai maogen) be combined with to treat kidney disease?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In traditional Chinese medicine, kidney disease is often associated with downward infiltration of damp-heat, deficiency of the spleen and kidneys, and blood stasis blocking the channels. Imperata root (Bai Mao Gen) clears heat, promotes urination, cools the blood, and stops bleeding; when combined with other herbs, it can enhance therapeutic effects. Commonly used clinical combinations include Poria (Fu Ling), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Salvia (Dan Shen), Plantago seed (Che Qian Zi), and Atractylodes (Bai Zhu). Kidney disease management requires treatment based on pattern differentiation, and the above herbal combinations should be used only under professional guidance. In daily life, patients should avoid overexertion and control their intake of salt and protein.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), kidney disease is often associated with downward infiltration of damp-heat, deficiency of the spleen and kidneys, and blood stasis blocking the channels. Imperata root (Bai Mao Gen) clears heat, promotes urination, cools the blood, and stops bleeding. When combined with other herbs, its therapeutic effects can be enhanced. Commonly used clinical combinations include Poria (Fu Ling), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Salvia (Dan Shen), Plantago seed (Che Qian Zi), and Atractylodes (Bai Zhu). Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Poria (Fu Ling)
Imperata root clears heat and promotes urination, while Poria strengthens the spleen and drains dampness. Used together, they enhance diuretic and edema-reducing effects. Poria aids the spleen in transforming and transporting bodily fluids, reducing internal accumulation of dampness, while Imperata root directs damp-heat out through urine. This combination is suitable for kidney disease accompanied by edema, difficult urination, and signs of damp-heat.
2. Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Astragalus tonifies qi, raises yang, and consolidates the exterior to stop sweating, while Imperata root cools the blood and stops bleeding. Together, they address both root and manifestation. Astragalus enhances the body’s containment function, reducing protein leakage, while Imperata root clears damp-heat from the kidneys. This pairing is appropriate for chronic kidney disease with qi deficiency, hematuria, or proteinuria.
3. Salvia (Dan Shen)
Salvia invigorates blood and resolves stasis, while Imperata root clears heat and cools the blood. Blood stasis can exacerbate kidney damage; Salvia unblocks the kidney channels and improves renal blood flow, while Imperata root clears damp-heat from stagnant areas. This combination is suitable for kidney disease with signs of blood stasis, such as fixed, persistent lower back pain.
4. Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi)
Plantago seed promotes urination, drains dampness, and clears heat, complementing the actions of Imperata root. Both herbs direct damp-heat downward. Plantago seed is particularly effective at clearing damp-heat from the bladder, enhancing the heat-clearing and diuretic effects of Imperata root. This combination is ideal for kidney disease with dark yellow, burning, painful urination.
5. Atractylodes (Bai Zhu)
Atractylodes strengthens the spleen, benefits qi, dries dampness, and promotes water metabolism, while Imperata root clears heat and promotes urination. Atractylodes supports spleen qi to improve fluid transformation, whereas Imperata root clears existing damp-heat. Together, they combine tonification and drainage, making them suitable for kidney disease due to spleen deficiency with excessive dampness, accompanied by fatigue, poor appetite, and edema.
Kidney disease management requires syndrome differentiation and individualized treatment. The above herbal combinations should be used only under professional guidance. In daily life, patients should avoid overexertion, control salt and protein intake, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and regularly monitor kidney function to help maintain disease stability.
