How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Treat Chronic Kidney DiseaseⅠ
Jul 23, 2024
Water metabolism refers to the process of water generation, distribution, and excretion of the remaining part and metabolic waste after water is used by the human body. Human water metabolism is a very complex physiological process involving multiple organs, which is completed with the lungs, spleen, and kidneys as the center.

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease
"Lingshu•Jingmai Bielun," says: "Drink enters the stomach, overflows with essence and qi, and is transported to the spleen. The spleen disperses the essence and returns to the lungs, regulates the water channels, and transports it to the bladder. The essence of water is distributed in four directions, and the five meridians run in parallel." This is an explanation of the generation, distribution, and excretion of body fluids. The generation and distribution of body fluids are mainly completed by the lungs regulating the water channels, the spleen's transportation and distribution, the kidneys' gasification and transpiration, and the three burners' dredging and decision-making.
"Jingyue Quanshu," says: "Water is the most yin, so its origin is in the kidneys; water is transformed into qi, so its surface is in the lungs; water is afraid of soil, so its control is in the spleen." "The bladder is the official of the state capital, where body fluids are stored, and they can be discharged after gasification." "Suwen Linglan Secret Classic," says: "The triple burner is the official who decides the drainage, and the water channel comes out from it." The qi transformation function of the kidney and the transportation function of the spleen run through the whole process of water metabolism, coordinating with each other to complete the metabolism of water and the function of expelling the old and taking in the new. If the spleen is deficient and the transportation is disordered, the essence cannot be distributed, and the water and moisture cannot be circulated and stored; the kidney is responsible for opening and closing, and its opening and closing function depends on the mutual assistance of yin and yang in the kidney to maintain a relative balance. If the kidney yang is deficient and the opening and closing are disordered, urination will be unfavorable. Water metabolism disorders are bound to damage kidney qi, and the leakage of essence and microorganisms for a long time will further consume the yin and yang of the kidney. Kidney deficiency fails to warm and nourish, spleen qi is deficient, spleen deficiency is insufficient, and it is unable to nourish the innate. The two harm each other and cause edema.

In short, although water metabolism involves multiple organs, it mainly involves the spleen and kidney. After a large number of medical records, more than 90% of chronic kidney diseases show symptoms of spleen and kidney deficiency. Therefore, it is believed that starting from the spleen and kidney is the key to studying this disease.
The key to the occurrence of chronic kidney disease lies in spleen and kidney dysfunction
Based on the analysis of the theoretical system of TCM and clinical experience, it is concluded that edema, proteinuria, and hematuria of kidney disease are related to the spleen and kidney. The key to its pathogenesis is spleen and kidney dysfunction and triple energizer qi transformation disorder, especially chronic kidney disease, spleen and kidney yin and yang imbalance runs through the disease.
Protein is a fine substance in the human body, which is produced by the water and grain essence of the spleen and kidney. The formation of proteinuria is closely related to the deficiency of the spleen and kidney.
Spleen deficiency cannot transport and ascend the clear, and the grain qi flows downward; the spleen loses control, and the essence flows downward, so-called "lack of middle qi, urine and stool change";
Kidney is responsible for sealing and storing, receiving the essence of the five internal organs and six bowels and storing it. If the kidney qi is deficient, the kidney loses sealing and storing, the kidney qi is not solid, and the essence flows downward, proteinuria may also occur.
Blood is generated in the spleen, and the essence is transformed in the kidney, and the pulse is the blood palace. Blood relies on the joint action of the five internal organs to circulate in the veins and spread throughout the body. Any dysfunction of the internal organs and the failure of blood to circulate normally can cause hematuria. As Li Yongcui said, "The damp-heat evil of the spleen meridian takes advantage of its victory and passes down to the water palace... or kidney deficiency and fire movement... or labor damages the spleen... all of which take advantage of the heat to the lower part of the body, and blood overflows with fire."

Chronic kidney disease is caused by the long-term imbalance of yin and yang, and the water cannot be expelled and the new is taken in to separate the clear and the turbid, thus causing dampness and blood stasis, and developing into chronic renal failure. Chronic renal failure develops from a variety of chronic kidney diseases over a long period of time. Its pathogenesis is characterized by deficiency as the main and mixed with deficiency and excess; the core of the pathogenesis is spleen and kidney deficiency as the root, dampness and blood stasis as the symptom; spleen and kidney deficiency run through it. For example, low back pain, knee weakness, fatigue, and anemia in patients with chronic renal failure are all caused by spleen and kidney deficiency for a long time, which is the root deficiency of chronic renal failure. However, spleen deficiency causes dysfunction of transportation and transformation, water and dampness stagnate in the body, kidney deficiency causes poor qi transformation, turbidity cannot be discharged, and the functions of raising the clear and lowering the turbid are disordered. Dampness and turbidity are accumulated inside the body and will eventually turn into turbid toxins. The accumulation of dampness and turbidity inside the body over time will cause blood stasis. Clinically, there will be symptoms such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, greasy tongue coating, or purple and ecchymotic tongue. These are the superficial manifestations of this disease.
How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?
Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.
Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.
Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.
Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.
Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of mandatory pathways for inflammation, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.
Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.
In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.
In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.






