Pyelonephritis — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

Pyelonephritis is a purulent inflammation caused by bacteria invading the renal pelvis, calyces, and renal parenchyma.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

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

Heat Strangury

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Drain Damp to Unblock Strangury

Formula: Bazheng San (Eight-Herb Powder for Rectification) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*

Stone Strangury

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Drain Damp, Expel Stones and Unblock Strangury

Formula: Shiwei San (Pyrrosia Powder) — from *Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library*

Blood Strangury

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Unblock Strangury, Cool Blood and Stop Bleeding

Formula: Xiaoji Yinzi (Field Thistle Drink) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Qi Strangury

Treatment principle: Regulate Qi and Dispel Stagnation, Unblock Strangury and Promote Urination

Formula: Chenxiang San (Agarwood Powder) — from *Jin Gui Yi*

Chylous Strangury

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Drain Damp, Separate the Clear and Discharge the Turbid

Formula: Chengshi Bixie Fenqing Yin (Cheng's Dioscorea Decoction to Separate the Clear) — from *Yi Xue Xin Wu*

Overstrain Strangury

Treatment principle: Supplement the Spleen and Benefit the Kidney

Formula: Wubi Shanyao Wan (Incomparable Dioscorea Pill) — from *Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies*

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

Plantain and Wolfberry Leaf Porridge: Decoct 300g wolfberry (goji) leaves and 60g plantain leaves with 1 section of scallion white to obtain the juice, strain, then cook 50g rice in the juice into porridge. Clears heat, drains dampness and relieves strangury.
Bamboo Leaf and Coix Seed Porridge: Decoct 30g bamboo leaves and 50g gypsum to obtain the juice, strain, then add 20g coix (Job's tears) seeds and 50g rice and cook into porridge. Clears heat and reduces fire.
Mulberry, Coix and Raisin Porridge: Cook 20g mulberries, 20g coix seeds, 10g raisins and 60g rice together into porridge. Benefits the kidney and drains dampness.
Watermelon Rind and Mung Bean Soup: Cut 500g fresh watermelon rind into pieces and cook with 100g mung beans into soup. Clears heat and detoxifies, promotes urination and generates fluids.

Understanding the Condition

Pyelonephritis is a purulent inflammation caused by bacteria invading the renal pelvis, calyces, and renal parenchyma. Pyelonephritis and ureteritis are generally called upper urinary tract infections, while urethritis and cystitis are lower urinary tract infections. Pyelonephritis is mostly complicated by lower urinary tract inflammation. The disease is more common in women, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:10, and frequently occurs in older women and elderly men. Acute pyelonephritis generally has an abrupt onset, with fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, generalized aches, and dull or aching pain in the lower back, the main symptoms being urinary urgency, frequency, and pain. Chronic pyelonephritis patients often have a history of repeated attacks or prolonged non-recovery; clinical manifestations vary, with urinary tract irritation symptoms during attacks and no or only mild symptoms between attacks. In the late stage, severe damage to the renal parenchyma may appear, with hypertension, anemia, polyuria, nocturia, and acidosis, or even uremia. Urine tests may show hematuria and large numbers of white blood cells or pus cells.

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.