Kidney DTX™

TCM herbal formula for chronic nephritic syndrome, chronic nephrotic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease with proteinuria, hematuria, and edema — nephroprotective; antifibrotic; diuretic; tonifies Kidney yin and qi; dispels dampness; restores kidney filtration and excretion functions

⚠️ NOT suitable for acute kidney disorders — refer to a medical doctor immediately. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Identify and eliminate underlying causes: diabetes and lupus must be properly controlled; avoid nephrotoxic drugs (certain antibiotics, analgesics, antiepileptics), environmental toxins (chemical solvents, biological agents, herbicides, pesticides), and heavy metals (lead, cadmium). Monitor progress with urine analysis to confirm effectiveness and guide long-term treatment strategy.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Chronic nephritic syndrome (nephritis, glomerulonephritis)

* Chronic nephrotic syndrome (nephropathy)

* Chronic kidney disease with proteinuria, edema, soreness of the lower back, fatigue, emaciation, flabby tongue, greasy tongue coating, deep thready or wiry pulse

* Note: This formula is NOT recommended for acute kidney disorders.

Background: Chronic nephritic syndrome and chronic nephrotic syndrome are two common kidney disorders characterized by the presence of blood (hematuria) and protein (proteinuria), respectively. Though the exact pathophysiology differs, these two syndromes have considerable clinical overlap and may occur separately or concurrently. Causes include heredity, infection (bacterial, viral, and others), immunologic (autoimmune disorder), and drug-induced (gentamicin, tobramycin, NSAIDs). If conditions continue to deteriorate, kidney dialysis and eventually kidney transplant may become necessary. Herbs are generally effective for early- to mid-stage kidney diseases with mild to moderate severity — not recommended for acute kidney failure.

TCM differentiation: Chronic nephritic and nephrotic syndromes involve both excess and deficiency. The excess refers to accumulation of dampness and turbidity in the lower jiao. The deficiency refers to Kidney qi and yin deficiencies. Since the Kidney stores jing (essence), Kidney deficiency leads to inability to retain jing — it leaks out in the form of serum protein, albumin, immunoglobulins, red blood cells, blood, and trace minerals. Kidney DTX tonifies the deficiency and drains the excess — tonifying without causing stagnation and sedating without injuring the body's constitution.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali / Astragalus): main herb — remarkable effect for proteinuria, nephritis, nephropathy, and glomerulonephritis; nephroprotective — reduces fasting blood glucose and albuminuria, reverses glomerular hyperfiltration, ameliorates pathological changes of early diabetic nephropathy; injection: nephroprotective effect on BUN, SCr, CCr, and urine protein; improves serum albumin level; oral use: decreases protein in urine; treats nephritis and glomerulonephritis by increasing urine volume and elimination of chloride and ammonia; clinical study 1 — 16 out of 20 nephritis patients treated 2x daily for 15–90 days: symptomatic improvement and decreased proteinuria; clinical study 2 — 56 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis treated by intramuscular injection for 1 month: 61.7% effective rate in improving kidney function and reducing proteinuria; combined with Dang Gui — reduces proteinuria, decreases loss of capillaries, improves microstructure dysfunction, antifibrotic activity (improves ischemic microvasculature, attenuates interstitial fibrosis); combined with Chuan Xiong — 21 type II diabetes patients with microalbuminuria treated 150 mL daily for 6 months: significant decrease of urinary albumin excretion and improvement of endothelial dysfunction (anti-inflammation, antioxidation, alleviation of hypo-fibrinolytic/pro-thrombotic state); combined with Lu Xian Cao — effective in preventing drug-induced kidney and ear damage

— Bai Mao Gen (Rhizoma Imperatae / Imperata / Woolly Grass Root / Cogon Grass): marked diuretic effect — especially effective if taken continuously for 5–10 days; treats lin zheng (dysuria syndrome); relieves blood in the urine (hematuria); treats acute nephritis in adults and children (multiple clinical studies); helps Huang Bo clear damp-heat in lower jiao to dispel creatinine and BUN from blood

— Fu Ling (Poria): marked diuretic effect — increases urine output; clinical study: 30 patients with edema treated 3x daily for 7 days — marked effectiveness in 23 cases, moderate effect in 7 cases; dispels dampness

— Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni / Cornus / Cornelian Cherry): sour — consolidates Kidney jing (essence); tonifies Kidney yin and jing; induces diuresis; beneficial for prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy — iridoid total glycosides prevent glomerular overexpression of TGF-β1 and matrix proteins

— Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae / Eucommia Bark): tonifies Kidney yang; strengthens the back; relieves soreness of the lower back

— Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis / Phellodendron / Amur Cork Tree): clears deficiency heat from the Kidney; reduces chronic inflammation; clears damp-heat in lower jiao — dispels creatinine and BUN from blood

— Shi Wei (Folium Pyrrosiae / Pyrrosia Leaf): dispels dampness; stops bleeding in the urine (hematuria)

— Lu Xian Cao (Herba Pyrolae / Pyrola / Wintergreen): stops bleeding; combined with Huang Qi — prevents drug-induced kidney and ear damage

— Mu Li (Concha Ostreae / Oyster Shell): astringent — prevents loss of Kidney jing through urine; keeps protein in the body; prevents loss of protein and red blood cells through urine

— Jin Ying Zi (Fructus Rosae Laevigatae / Cherokee Rose Fruit): astringent — prevents loss of Kidney jing through urine; keeps protein in the body; prevents loss of protein and red blood cells through urine

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nephroprotective — Huang Qi (BUN↓, SCr↓, CCr↑, proteinuria↓, albuminuria↓, glomerular hyperfiltration↓, diabetic nephropathy amelioration); Huang Qi + Dang Gui (antifibrotic, ischemic microvasculature↑, interstitial fibrosis↓); Huang Qi + Chuan Xiong (urinary albumin excretion↓, endothelial dysfunction↑, 6 months); Huang Qi + Lu Xian Cao (drug-induced kidney damage prevention)

* Diuretic — Bai Mao Gen (marked, 5–10 days continuous, acute nephritis adults and children); Fu Ling (23/30 edema patients, marked effectiveness); Shan Zhu Yu (diuresis induction, diabetic nephropathy)

* Antifibrotic — Huang Qi + Dang Gui (ischemic microvasculature improvement, interstitial fibrosis attenuation)

* Creatinine and BUN reduction — Huang Bo + Fu Ling + Bai Mao Gen (clears damp-heat, dispels creatinine and BUN from blood)

* Proteinuria reduction — Mu Li + Jin Ying Zi (astringent, retains protein and RBCs); Huang Qi (multiple clinical studies)

* Clinical formula results — BUN normalized, creatinine reduced (stage 3 kidney failure, 4 months); BUN reduced from 88 to 36 mg/dL, creatinine from 2.1 to 1.46 mg/dL (82-year-old diabetic, 1 month); proteinuria negative in 3 consecutive tests (51-year-old chronic nephritis, 50 days)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Tonifies Kidney yin and jing (essence); consolidates Kidney jing to prevent leakage (Shan Zhu Yu, Mu Li, Jin Ying Zi)

* Tonifies Kidney yang; strengthens back; relieves lower back soreness (Du Zhong)

* Tonifies qi; regulates water metabolism; reduces edema (Huang Qi)

* Clears deficiency heat from Kidney; reduces chronic inflammation (Huang Bo)

* Clears damp-heat in lower jiao; dispels creatinine and BUN (Huang Bo, Fu Ling, Bai Mao Gen)

* Dispels dampness; promotes urination; relieves edema (Fu Ling, Bai Mao Gen, Shi Wei)

* Stops bleeding in urine (Shi Wei, Lu Xian Cao, Bai Mao Gen)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Safe for long-term use. Monitor progress with urine analysis.

Supplementary formulas: Environmental pollutants, chemical compounds, and other toxins — add Herbal DTX. Edema and water accumulation — add Herbal DRX. Blood stagnation in excess condition — add Circulation (SJ). Excess fire — add Gardenia Complex. Wei (defensive) qi deficiency and frequent infections — add Immune+. Dry mouth, deficiency heat, tinnitus, or dizziness — add Nourish or Nourish (Fluids). Kidney yang deficiency with frequent nighttime urination, lower back and knee soreness, weakness, and coldness — add Kidney Tonic (Yang). Spleen qi deficiency with poor appetite — add GI Tonic. High blood pressure — add Gastrodia Complex. Compromised liver function — add Liver DTX. Bleeding — add Notoginseng 9. Colon detox — add GI DTX.

Nutrition: Restrict salt to 1–2 grams per day — excessive salt increases severity of edema. Restrict protein intake — high protein diet accelerates kidney deterioration by increasing intraglomerular pressure and urinary protein excretion. Supplement vitamin D if deficient. Include lotus nodes in the diet. Avoid sour and spicy foods.

Tao of Nutrition — Nephritis, Acute (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Eat black beans, mung beans, azuki beans, pearl barley, garlic, carp, winter melon, watermelon, watermelon rind, corn silk, sweet rice, lotus root, and water chestnuts. Cook soup with azuki beans, winter melon rind, watermelon rind, and corn silk — drink 3–4 times daily. Make tea from lotus root — drink 4 large glasses daily. Cook rice porridge with pearl barley, black beans, and water chestnuts. Make juice from carrots, celery, cucumbers, and squash. Avoid stimulating (sour, spicy, salty) foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, overworking, and high protein foods.

Tao of Nutrition — Nephritis, Chronic: Eat ginger, Chinese black dates, sweet rice, soybeans, winter melon, carp, yams, mung beans, and black beans. Make rice porridge with ginger, cinnamon, and Chinese black dates — eat for breakfast and dinner. Cook rice porridge with yams — eat for breakfast and dinner. Steam crab, garlic, and white wine together — eat once daily for 15 days. Avoid stimulating (sour, spicy, salty) foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, overworking, and high protein foods.

Lifestyle: Adequate rest is essential — strenuous exercise increases kidney stress and accelerates deterioration. Encourage elimination of toxins through the lungs, skin, and bowel — practice breathing exercises, ensure regular bowel movements, and take hot baths. Avoid smoking and drinking.

CASE STUDIES

— C.P., 63-year-old female: Low energy; pain in elbow, hip, back, and neck; puffy face and body; BUN 53.0 mg/dL, creatinine 2.6 mg/dL, calcium 12 mg/dL; Kidney yin deficiency with dampness; stage 3 kidney failure. Kidney DTX + low protein diet. Result at 4 months: BUN normalized, creatinine reduced (still slightly high), calcium normalized. Western doctors commented they had never seen BUN and creatinine change like this from herbs.

— W.P., 45-year-old female: Pain in kidney and liver areas; history of kidney infection and pancreatitis; anxiety and depression; weak slightly slippery pulse, pale tongue with long center fissure; Liver qi stagnation with heat disturbing the shen, toxins in the Kidney. Shine + Kidney DTX + acupuncture 1x weekly + dietary changes. Result at 4 weeks: mood stable, no longer experiencing pain in liver and kidney areas.

— L.T., 64-year-old female: Kidney declination from 20 years of anti-inflammatories and blood pressure medications; BP 130/80 mmHg; Kidney and Liver yin deficiencies; beginning-stage kidney failure. Kidney DTX for 9 months. Result: lived an additional 3 years — more than Western doctor had predicted.

— 82-year-old male: Type 2 diabetes (40 years), hypertension (10 years), kidney function degradation (6 years); near renal failure in January 2013 — BUN 88 mg/dL (normal 7–21), creatinine 2.1 mg/dL (normal 0.6–1.30); hospitalized twice. Kidney DTX 5 capsules 2x daily starting late February 2013. Result at late March 2013: BUN reduced to 36 mg/dL, creatinine reduced to 1.46 mg/dL; better stamina and energy; average systolic BP reduced from 180 to 160 mmHg without changes to Western medications.

— 40-year-old female: Slow mental function; hot flashes; acid reflux after spicy foods; history of alcoholism and smoking; slightly swollen ankles; toxic damp-heat accumulation with yin deficiency. Kidney DTX + Wu Pi Yin + Jia Wei Xiao Yao San + acupuncture + homeopathic treatment. Result at 1 month: leg swelling reduced, less brain fog, increased desire to drink water and less alcohol. Result at 6 months: felt better all around.

— 51-year-old male: Chronic recurrent nephritis for 6 years; frequent nighttime urination (4–5x), lower back soreness and pain, bilateral tinnitus, fatigue; pale red flabby tongue with teethmarks, white greasy coat, deep thready pulse; protein (++) in urine; qi and yin deficiencies of the Kidney with dampness accumulation. Kidney DTX for 50 days. Result: nighttime urination reduced from 4–5x to 1–2x; low back pain improved; tinnitus reduced; energy increased; urine analysis negative for protein in 3 consecutive tests.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal DRX – for edema and water accumulation | Herbal DTX – for environmental pollutants and chemical toxins | Liver DTX – for compromised liver function | GI DTX – for colon detox | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency with frequent nighttime urination | Nourish – for dry mouth, deficiency heat, and tinnitus | Gastrodia Complex – for high blood pressure | Notoginseng 9 – for bleeding | Immune+ – for wei qi deficiency and frequent infections | Kidney & Urinary Health Collection | Liver, Kidney & Detox Support Collection.