There are, however, other factors that also play a part in the pathogenesis of oedema. Stasis of
Blood can also be a causative factor of oedema. This is due to the interaction and interchange
between Blood and Body Fluids. The "Discussion of Prescriptions of the Golden Chest" (c. AD
220) by Zhang Zhong Jing says: "When Blood, is not harmonized it gives rise to Water."7.(438)
The "Discussion on Blood Syndromes" (1884) by Tang Zong Hai says: "Pouring [and
overflowing] stagnant Blood gives rise to oedema and swelling, Blood turning into Water
..."8.(439)
Proteinuria
Proteinuria is due to leakage of Essence from the Kidneys. The Kidneys store the Essence and if
they are deficient, Essence may leak out. The seepage of protein in the urine is viewed as a sign
of such leakage in Chinese medicine. This is due to the sinking of Spleen- and Kidney-Qi.
To treat proteinuria, besides strengthening the Spleen and Kidneys and using astringent herbs
which also nourish the Essence (such as Wu Wei Zi Fructus Schisandrae chinensis) to stop
leakage, some doctors advocate moving Blood too. They base this view on the fact that when the
Original Qi of the Kidneys is severely deficient, it cannot reach the blood vessels and this leads
to stasis of Blood.9.(440) With acupuncture, one needs to strengthen the Essence with points
such as Ren-4 Guanyuan, BL-23 Shenshu, BL-52 Zhishi, G.B.-39 Xuanzhong, and Jinggong
extra points (0.5 cun lateral to BL-52), with reinforcing method and moxa.
Hypertension
Hypertension can be due to either Kidney-Yang or Kidney-Yin deficiency. If Kidney-Yang is
deficient Yin (Water) accumulates, Yang does not move, the blood vessels cannot relax, Blood
cannot flow properly and this causes hypertension.
If Kidney-Yin is deficient it fails to nourish Liver-Yin which leads to hyperactivity of
Liver-Yang. The rising of Liver-Yang and Liver-Wind causes high blood pressure and its typical
symptoms of headache, dizziness and tinnitus. With acupuncture, one needs to tonify the
Kidneys with BL-23 Shenshu and KI-3 Taixi and subdue Liver-Yang with LIV-3 Taichong and
G.B.-20 Fengchi.
Anaemia is often present and this is due to deficiency of the Spleen in failing to make Blood and
of the Kidneys in failing to nourish Marrow.
Haematuria is often present in chronic nephritis. Its pathology is usually very complicated.
Three main factors may be responsible and these often occur simultaneously. They are as
follows:
(a) A deficient Spleen-Qi is unable to hold Blood in the vessels(b) In very chronic cases deficiency of Yang can lead to deficiency of Yin with