Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) For Kidney Diseases

There has been thousands of years history to use traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) to treat various chronic diseases and pathological conditions. It is true that Chinese medicines take relatively longer time to take effects compared with western medicines and it is also true that some Chinese medicines have certain renal toxicity if not taken properly.

However we should not ignore the undeniable good aspects of traditional Chinese medicines for treating various renal diseases. Nearly all western medicines have side effects which can not be avoided by themselves, however the toxicity and side effects of Chinese medicines can be avoided if taken with correct dosage and method under professional practitioners’ guidance. What is more, Chinese medicines have overall curative effects to regulate not only renal disorder and dysfunctions but also imbalances and disorders in other systems and organs.

Traditional Chinese medicines have the following curative functions for kidney diseases.

·improving kidney functions. Some Chinese medicines such as cordyceps sinensis can eliminate blood and qi stasis in the kidneys, promoting blood circulation and increasing blood flow to the kidneys so as to relieve hypercoagulability and promote the absorption renal fibrous tissues and promote the recovery of certain necrotic renal tissues.

·diuretic effect. Many traditional Chinese medicines have diuretic function such as grifola, tuckahoe, rhizoma alismatis, plantain, money grass, lobelia, etc.

·discharging metabolic wastes. TCM like Chinese rhubarb can promote the secretion of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen so as to lower high creatinine level and high BUN level and much relieve azotemia.

·immune regulation. Chinese medicines have dual-direction regulation for immune system. For example, tripterygium wilfordii has significant curative effects on glomerulonephritis. It has been proved can help inhibit formation of immune complex and reduce glomerular inflammations.

But as I have mentioned above, some TCM do have renal toxicity if not taken properly such as tripterygium wilfordii, so it is necessary to consult professional TCM practitioner to achieve better curative effects without unfavorable side effects.

Different from western medicines, TCM not only alleviate the symptoms only, but also can treat renal damages so as to repair damaged renal tissues and improve kidney functions. Therefore the relief and disappearance of the clinical symptoms is the result of improved illness condition and enhanced kidney functions, so that the curative effects can last for long time.