used if the patient's body condition is very weak. In these cases, one should tonify first and then
purge. If after purging the patient feels better, is in better spirits and has more appetite, one can
continue using purging herbs combined with tonic ones. One should never use purging in
patients with heart disease (in a Western medical sense) or who are suffering from bleeding from
the alimentary canal. After purging and improvement of the symptoms, one can tonify the Spleen
and Kidneys, still combining the tonic herbs with herbs which gently resolve Dampness.
Finally, if Dampness turns into Phlegm and combines with Heat, it may manifest with nausea,
vomiting and mental confusion. In this case three different methods of treatment are available
depending on the case:
- warm Yang and subdue rebellious Qi (causing the nausea and vomiting)
- clear Heat and open the orifices
- use purging.
It will be noted that each of the treatment methods mentioned corresponds to a certain category
of herbs and prescriptions in herbal medicine. The definition of the treatment method therefore
gives an immediate indication of the category of herbs and prescriptions to use. In acupuncture,
the connection is not so direct and other considerations guide the choice of points (such as the
channel involved, the balance of points, etc.).
The patterns of chronic nephritis discussed are:
- Spleen- and Kidney-Yang deficiency
- Spleen- and Kidney-Yang deficiency, Water overflowing
- Spleen-Kidney Yang deficiency, Yin rebelling upwards
- Spleen and Kidney deficiency, Essence leaking
5. Kidney- and Heart-Yang deficiency Qi-Blood stagnant.Spleen- and Kidney-Yang Deficiency
In a chronic disease such as nephritis, both Spleen and Kidneys are involved. These organs work
in very close coordination to transform, transport and excrete Body Fluids and, in a chronic
disease, deficiency of one often causes deficiency of the other.
Clinical Manifestations
Sallow complexion, dizziness, tinnitus, listlessness, mental depression, poor appetite, soreness
and weakness of the lower back, slight oedema. The tongue would be Pale and Swollen and the
pulse Deep and Weak. All these manifestations reflect Spleen- and Kidney-Yang deficiency.