Chinese Herbs to Treat Kidney Failure

Chronic kidney failure is a serious condition that affects more than 20 million Americans, and another 20 million people are at increased risks. However, currently there is no cure. Traditional Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat kidney issues and improve the health condition in people with chronic kidney failure. Some herbs can cause serious side effects to people with kidney problems, thereby, it is necessary to always consult an expert practitioner who understands both kidney diseases and herbs.

Background to kidney failure

Chronic kidney failure is a chronic degenerative disease that causes progressive loss of kidney functions. Kidney failure refers to the end stage of CKD that is defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <15. The damage caused by kidney failure is systemic and the damage is virtually in all of the organ systems. People experience obviously elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, fluid retention, high blood pressure, imbalances of electrolytes, combined heart disease, brain disorder, etc.

The leading causes of kidney failure are mainly Diabetes, hypertension, Polycystic Kidney Disease, obstructive nephropathy, glomerular nephritis, etc. When the kidneys fail, people may turn to renal replacement therapies to preserve their lives. However, the number of people in need for kidney donors is much more than the availability of suitable donors. Using some alternative methods including herbs may help people to prolong their lifespan and improve life qualities.

Chinese herbs for treating kidney failure

Kidney failure is complex symptom patterns with deficiency as the root cause and excess as the branch and manifestation. Blood stasis, toxicity, and phlegm turbidity are the primary causes of changes in the glomerular capillary blockage, sclerosis, and ischemia. A strong connection between the TCM pattern and modern medical research has been discovered. The goal of Chinese herbal medicine treatment prescription is to address the root and the branch, tonifying the deficiency and getting rid of the excess.

Some experimental research has been performed on exploring the effects of herbs on kidney failure. It has been discovered that the combination of aromatic herbs and cold draining herbs can help to treat phlegm and dampness excess. Kidney failure causes Qi vacuity and blood stagnation. Combination of blood movers and qi tonifiers is helpful even when there are no obvious signs of blood stasis or qi vacuity. Da huang, a kind of herb, is helpful for people with kidney failure to clear toxicity from the qi organs, eliminate dampness, promote blood flow and remove the blood stasis. Da huang combined with fu zi can warm the kidney and reduce the cold properties of the sa huang.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment actually is a broad concept which includes message, acupuncture, herbs, etc. People who seek for herbal treatment should seek for an expert doctor’s guidance. Some herbs that are associated with severe kidney damages include guang fang ji, ma dou ling, guan mu tong, etc.