What Chinese herbs are good for kidney failure?
Disease description:
My grandfather was diagnosed with kidney failure last year and has been taking Western medicine for treatment, but the effect has not been very good. We would like to try traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) instead. Could you please advise what kind of TCM herbs would be beneficial?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Guang
When choosing treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for patients with renal failure, the specific condition and constitution of the patient must be considered. The following are some commonly used Chinese herbal medicines:
1. Huang Qi (Astragalus): It has the effect of invigorating qi to reinforce the exterior and promoting diuresis to reduce edema. It is suitable for patients with kidney failure caused by kidney qi deficiency.
2. Shan Yao (Chinese Yam): It nourishes the spleen and benefits the kidneys, and has a good regulatory effect on symptoms such as edema and oliguria caused by deficiency of both the spleen and kidneys.
3. Fu Ling (Poria): It promotes diuresis and removes dampness, strengthens the spleen, and calms the mind. It is commonly used in the treatment of renal failure accompanied by edema.
4. Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): It promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, improves renal microcirculation, and helps alleviate glomerulosclerosis.
For acute renal failure, TCM treatment mainly includes herbs that clear heat and detoxify, purge fire and cool blood, and promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, such as Jie Geng (Platycodon root), Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros horn), Huang Qin (Scutellaria root), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena rhizome), Chi Shao (Red Peony root), and Xuan Shen (Rehmannia root). For patients with internal blockage and external collapse, medications such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan (Imperial Pearl Pill), Ren Tang Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Drainage Pill from Ren Tang), and Niu Huang Qing Huo Wan (Bezoar Pill for Clearing Fire) can be used for treatment.
For chronic renal failure, commonly used Chinese herbs include those that warm yang and reduce turbidity, such as Da Huang (Rhubarb), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Gan Cao (Licorice), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Fu Zi (Aconite root), and so on. Herbs that clear heat and resolve dampness, such as Huang Lian (Coptis root) and Jiang Ban Xia (Processed Pinellia tuber), are also commonly used in the treatment to nourish the spleen and kidneys, resolve dampness, and eliminate turbidity.
