Kidneys are one of the important organs in our body. Clinically, many patients seek help from TCM to manage their kidney issues such as proteinuria and kidney stones etc.
During consultation, TCM physicians will first diagnose the patients by asking a series of question, looking at the tongue and taking the pulse. Common diagnosis for kidney diseases are dampness, heat-dampness, kidney qi or yin deficiency. According to the patient’s condition and body constitution, the TCM physician will prescribe herbal medicine and/or administer acupuncture for the patient.
Treatment aims to eliminate dampness, clear heat and damp, replenish kidney qi and yin, according to the patients’ condition.
Here are some common herbs to eliminate dampness:
- Chinese barley,
- Corn silk,
- Cang zhu (苍术),
- Che Qian Cao (车前草),
- Hua Shi (滑石),
- Ze Xie (泽泻),
- Bi Xie (萆薢)
For patients with kidney stones, here are the common TCM herbs used:
- Jin Qian Cao (金钱草),
- Hai Jin Sha (海金沙)
- Ji Nei Jin (鸡内金)
All these herbs are able to remove heat-dampness and help in the excretion of kidney stones through urine.
Physicians will also advise patients for a change in diet and lifestyle to improve their kidney conditions. Maintain a low-salt and balanced diet, avoid consumption of processed food and drink water moderately. Exercise regularly and keep a good habit of clearing the bladder when necessary.
