Glomerulonephritis — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

Glomerulonephritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease caused by the body's immune response to certain pathogenic factors.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this condition is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Wind and Water Contending

Treatment principle: Dispel Wind and Clear Heat, Diffuse the Lung and Move Water

Formula:

Damp Toxin Spreading

Treatment principle: Diffuse the Lung and Resolve Toxin, Drain Damp and Reduce Swelling

Formula: Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia and Rice Bean Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Wuwei Xiaodu Yin (Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Drink) — from *Golden Mirror of Medicine*

Water-Damp Soaking

Treatment principle: Activate the Spleen and Transform Damp, Unblock Yang and Promote Diuresis

Formula: Wupi Yin (Five-Peel Drink) — from *Master Hua's Classic of the Central Viscera*; Weiling Tang (Calming the Stomach Poria Decoction) — from *Teachings of Master Danxi*

Exuberance of Damp-Heat

Treatment principle: Separate and Drain Damp-Heat

Formula: Shuzao Yinzi (Open the Waterways Drink) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Decline of Spleen Yang

Treatment principle: Fortify the Spleen, Warm Yang, and Promote Diuresis

Formula: Shipi Yin (Fortify the Spleen Drink) — from *Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang*

Decline of Kidney Yang

Treatment principle: Warm the Kidney and Assist Yang, Transform Qi and Move Water

Formula: Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

Blood Stasis and Water Intermingling

Treatment principle: Activate Blood and Dispel Stasis, Transform Qi and Move Water

Formula: Taohong Siwu Tang (Peach Kernel and Carthamus Four-Substance Decoction) — from *Golden Mirror of Medicine*; Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Powder) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Bottle Gourd and Double-Rind Soup: Simmer 50g bottle gourd shell, 30g winter melon rind, 30g watermelon rind and 10g jujubes in water over low heat until about 200g remains, strain and drink the soup. Fortifies the spleen, drains dampness and reduces swelling.
Corn Silk and Rush Pith Tea: Brew 60g corn silk and 15-30g rush pith (dengxincao) in boiling water and drink frequently as tea. Promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Imperata Rhizome Decoction: Decoct 30-60g imperata (cogongrass) rhizome (fresh preferred) in water and drink the juice as tea. Clears heat, promotes urination, reduces swelling, cools blood and stops bleeding.
Carp and Adzuki Bean Broth: Cook 1 large carp with 60g adzuki beans, eat the fish and drink the broth (do not add salt). Promotes urination and reduces swelling.

Understanding the Condition

Glomerulonephritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease caused by the body's immune response to certain pathogenic factors. Common causes include beta-hemolytic streptococcus, viruses, and bacterial infections, but it is not a direct infection or destruction of the kidney by viruses or bacteria; rather, these infections trigger glomerular inflammation through the body's immune response. Glomerulonephritis, usually shortened to nephritis, is divided into acute, rapidly progressive, and chronic forms. Acute nephritis has a sudden onset and short course, with hematuria, proteinuria, reduced urine output or even azotemia, edema, and hypertension as the main symptoms. Rapidly progressive nephritis resembles acute nephritis clinically but with more severe symptoms. Chronic nephritis has a long course, with varying degrees of renal function impairment and manifestations such as proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, edema, and hypertension; in the late stage patients may develop renal failure.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.