典藏书目

Lumbar Pain Case 1 (Chronic Glomerulonephritis)
Patient: Xing XX, Female, 38 years old
First Visit
Lumbar pain for over half a year. Urine routine examination at a certain hospital showed persistent positive urinary protein, leading to a diagnosis of Chronic Glomerulonephritis. Western medicine suggested hormone therapy, but the patient refused due to fear. Later, she consulted another Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner who prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) for three months. Consequently, urinary protein increased to (++), and lumbar pain intensified. Pulse was soft, slippery, and rapid; tongue was red with white, moist coating. The patient experienced general fatigue, frequent dreams during sleep, and severe lumbar pain that made it difficult to support herself. This indicates dampness obstructing the interior with heat stagnating within. Initially, clear and transform damp-heat method was used, combined with harmonizing the collaterals.
Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica) 6g, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 6g, Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) 6g, Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) 6g, Shengdiyü (Sanguisorbae Radix) 10g, Chao Huaihua (Sophorae Flos, stir-fried) 10g, Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 10g, Qiancao (Rubiae Cordifoliae Radix et Rhizoma) 10g, Maogen (Imperatae Rhizoma) and Lugen (Phragmitis Rhizoma) 10g each, Sigualuo (Luffae Fructus Retinervus) 10g, Sangzhi (Mori Ramulus) 10g, 7 doses.
Second Visit
After taking the medicine, lumbar pain decreased, spirit improved, and strength increased. Urine routine test: Protein +, White blood cells 1-2. Tongue red with white coating, pulse full and rapid. Continue the previous method with adjustments.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Maogen and Lugen 10g each + Jiaosanshan (Scrophulariae Radix, Poria, and Crataegi Fructus, charred) 10g each, Sigualuo 10g, Sangzhi 10g, Shuihonghuazi (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis Seed) 10g, 7 doses.
Third Visit
Lumbar pain continued to decrease, energy increased daily. Walking 2-3 hours per day without fatigue. Appetite increased, which is a good sign. However, dietary caution is still essential; do not eat indiscriminately. Continue the previous method.
Jingjie 6g + Fangfeng 6g, Ziyè (Perillae Folium) 10g, Baizhi 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Maogen and Lugen 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g. 7 doses.
Fourth Visit
Recently, due to improper diet, eating a piece of beef caused the condition to worsen. Lumbar pain recurred, sleep was restless, urine protein fluctuated, granular casts 0-2. Pulse slippery and rapid, tongue red with thick white coating at the root. Use the method of regulating the Sanjiao (Triple Burner).
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Ziyè 10g, Duhuo 10g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Dafupi (Arecae Pericarpium) 10g, Binglang (Arecae Semen) 10g, Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 1g, 7 doses.
Fifth Visit
After medication, bowel movements were smooth, tongue coating gradually resolved, pulse became soft and soggy, lumbar pain decreased, sleep stabilized. Urine routine: Protein +, granular casts disappeared. There is hope for recovery, but care must be taken regarding diet and temperature regulation.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Maogen and Lugen 10g each, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Dafupi 10g, Dahuang 1g, 7 doses.
After continuing the above prescription for two weeks, urinary protein turned negative. Lumbar pain disappeared. Subsequent treatment based on this prescription with modifications for half a year maintained negative urinary protein, no recurrence of lumbar pain, increasing energy, and no relapse.
[Commentary]: The waist is the mansion of the Kidney. Lumbar pain is a common symptom of chronic kidney disease. Historically, long-term chronic lumbar pain or soreness was often viewed as a characteristic of Kidney Deficiency (Xu), treated with tonifying methods such as Liuwei Wan or Bawei Wan. This is a misconception in medical understanding. Lumbar pain in chronic kidney disease is definitely not Kidney Deficiency, but rather caused by dampness and heat obstructing the meridians, leading to blockage of the collaterals. Using tonification will inevitably aggravate the condition. In this case, the previous physician mistook nephritis for Kidney Deficiency and prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan for three months, worsening the condition. Master Zhao, based on the soft, slippery, and rapid pulse, red tongue with white moist coating, and frequent dreams, diagnosed it as dampness obstruction and heat stagnation. He used a formula to disperse wind, resolve dampness, cool blood, invigorate blood, remove stasis, and unblock collaterals. After seven doses, obvious effects were achieved. Throughout the subsequent treatment, this method was consistently applied with adjustments, leading to complete recovery. Thus, chronic nephritis is not Kidney Deficiency, nor is chronic lumbar pain entirely due to Kidney Deficiency. Although ancients stated that the Kidney primarily governs deficiency and extended this to say the Kidney has no purgative method, this view was based on the Kidney's role in reproduction and development. Ancients believed the Kidney stores True Yin and True Yang, serving as the congenital foundation and root of development for the human body. From this perspective, stating that the Kidney has no excess patterns and can only be tonified, not purged, is understandable. However, this theory cannot be blindly applied to all kidney diseases. Especially modern medical conditions like chronic nephritis and chronic renal failure, which belong to the urinary system and have nothing to do with reproduction and development. Their onset is often related to repeated infections. According to TCM etiology and pathogenesis, these belong to external pathogens invading internally, lingering for a long time, penetrating into the Blood level, forming latent pathogens in the Blood. That is, pathogens stagnate for a long time, transforming into heat, damaging the collaterals. Thus, symptoms such as proteinuria and hematuria manifest as reckless bleeding due to blood heat, or damp-heat obstructing the meridians. Treating them as Kidney Deficiency and using tonification violates the principle of "treating excess with excess" (Shi Shi). All practitioners treating kidney diseases must understand this argument that chronic kidney disease is not necessarily deficiency.

Lumbar Pain Case 2 (Chronic Glomerulonephritis)
Patient: Zhao XX, Male, 47 years old
First Visit
Intermittent lumbar pain for several months, previously ignored. Recent workplace physical examination revealed positive urinary protein. Multiple follow-up tests showed ++++. Renal biopsy at a certain hospital confirmed Chronic Glomerulonephritis. Prednisone treatment was prescribed but not taken. The patient felt intensified lumbar pain accompanied by significant fatigue. The patient is robust and overweight, weighing 90 kg. Tongue red with yellow, thick, greasy coating; pulse string-like, slippery, and forceful. Lips purple and dry, stool dry and constipated, urine yellow and dark. Damp-heat accumulation and stagnation in the stomach and intestines, poor conduction of the Sanjiao. Initially, use the method of clearing and transforming damp-heat, and promoting the free flow of the Sanjiao. Strictly avoid high-protein and spicy stimulating foods to prevent exacerbating stagnant heat.
Huoxiang (Agastaches Herba) 10g (add later), Peilan (Eupatorii Herba) 10g (add later), Jingjie 6g, Ziyè 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Dafupi 10g, Binglang 10g, Dahuang 3g (add later), 7 doses.
Second Visit
After medication, bowel movements were smoother, tongue coating gradually resolved, sleep was relatively peaceful, but lumbar pain persisted. Urine protein reduced to +. Pulse remains string-like and slippery, heat stagnation not yet cleared. Continue the clearing and transforming method. Be careful with diet and temperature. Persist in walking exercise, do not relax.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Dafupi 10g, Binglang 10g, Dahuang 3g, 7 doses.
Third Visit
Lumbar pain gradually decreased, mental and physical strength improved. Adhering to vegetarian diet and exercise since treatment began, weight reduced by 3 kg. Feeling somewhat anxious. Eliminating excess fat while gaining strength is exactly what is sought; why worry? Heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys will all benefit. Vegetarian diet and exercise are indispensable means for treating this disease and should be pursued concurrently without slackening. Continue the previous method with adjustments.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Chishao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Sigualuo 10g, Sangzhi 10g, Dahuang 3g, 7 doses.
Fourth Visit
Yesterday's urine routine test results showed urinary protein turned negative. Urine sediment microscopy showed no abnormalities. Lumbar pain significantly reduced, strength continuously enhanced, walking 2-3 hours daily without fatigue. Pulse string-like and slippery, tongue red with thick white coating at the root. Stagnant heat for a long time has not completely dissipated. Continue the clearing and transforming method.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Chishao 10g, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Dahuang 3g, 7 doses.
Fifth Visit
Lumbar pain completely stopped, only feeling sore after excessive activity. Bowel and bladder functions normal, appetite and sleep excellent. Weight dropped rapidly to 84 kg. Urine routine negative. Pulse string-like and slippery but not rapid, tongue red with white coating. Damp-heat accumulation gradually resolving. Still suitable to clear and transform residual pathogens. Dietary restrictions and exercise remain indispensable.
Jingjie 6g, Fangfeng 6g, Baizhi 6g, Duhuo 6g, Shengdiyü 10g, Chao Huaihua 10g, Danshen 10g, Qiancao 10g, Maogen and Lugen 10g each, Jiaosanshan 10g each, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Dahuang 3g, 7 doses.
Subsequent treatment based on the above prescription with modifications for over half a year maintained consistently negative urinary protein. Patient's weight decreased to 70 kg, a reduction of 20 kg from before treatment. Appearance looked thinner, but spirit and physical strength were very good. After stopping medication, gradually returned to normal diet, weight slowly rebounded, and nephritic proteinuria did not recur.
[Commentary]: This case emphasizes the important role of dietary control in treating proteinuria associated with chronic nephritis. Proteinuria is one of the main pathological indicators of chronic nephritis. The primary problem to solve in treatment is the massive loss of protein through urine. Because massive protein loss not only causes panic in patients but also leads to decreased plasma protein levels, thereby inducing edema. Currently, neither modern medicine nor traditional medicine has a specific effective solution for proteinuria. Nevertheless, modern medicine's auxiliary treatment measures for urinary protein are quite clear: encouraging patients to consume large amounts of high-protein food to compensate for protein loss. This is the so-called "lose protein, supplement protein" dietary principle.
For many years, both medical staff and patients have followed this principle. However, clinical facts show that this method of consuming large amounts of high-protein food does not compensate for protein loss; instead, it aggravates it. Master Zhao discovered this issue clinically and succeeded by adopting the opposite approach. In the early 1960s, Master Zhao found in clinical practice that consuming large amounts of protein would aggravate proteinuria, whereas a low-protein diet was beneficial for controlling proteinuria. Since then, he began clinical research on new methods combining low-protein diet with Chinese herbal medicine to treat chronic nephritis proteinuria. After nearly 10 years of experience accumulation, by the early 1970s, a complete protocol for treating chronic nephritis proteinuria had been formed. This involves mainly Chinese herbs to cool blood and invigorate blood/remove stasis, assisted by dietary control and exercise. The main method of dietary control is avoiding high-protein foods, including animal and plant proteins. Later, this method was summarized as the theory that chronic kidney disease requires avoiding protein consumption. Avoiding protein helps reduce proteinuria and aids kidney repair. The mechanism is as follows: When chronic nephritis occurs, the permeability of the glomerular basement membrane increases, allowing large molecules of protein to pass through massively, forming proteinuria. When consuming large amounts of high-protein food, free proteins in plasma increase, causing a dramatic surge in protein passing through the glomerular basement membrane. This undoubtedly increases the burden on the kidneys, aggravates damage to the glomeruli, and hinders their self-repair. Conversely, reducing the intake of high-protein foods can effectively reduce the absolute number of free proteins passing through the glomerular basement membrane, thereby greatly relieving the burden on the kidneys, creating conditions for glomerular repair, and seizing opportunities for Chinese herbal medicine treatment. It is like a broken fishing net; fish inside will leak out from the holes. To make the net hold fish, the best way is to mend the net first, blocking the holes, to effectively prevent leakage. If one does not mend the net but instead adds more fish, no matter how many fish are added, they will still leak. Supplementing protein is like adding fish; prohibiting protein is like mending the net first. Is it not obvious which is right and wrong? The treatment of this case is a good example. Because the patient strictly obeyed medical advice, adhered to the prohibition of high-protein food, and cooperated with correct Chinese herbal medicine treatment, the loss of urinary protein was controlled quickly. Although the weight dropped by more than 20 kg during the treatment period, the result was the thorough cure of chronic nephritis.
This patient was a highly educated intellectual, reasonable and understanding. Although he once worried about the continuous weight loss during treatment, after being explained rationally, he happily accepted this treatment plan and persisted to the end, ultimately achieving a cure. If confidence is insufficient, or if one cannot endure cravings, fails to strictly observe dietary restrictions, or changes course midway, one will inevitably fail halfway, falling short of success. Avoiding protein is one of the magic weapons for treating chronic nephritis and chronic renal failure. Therefore, I elaborate on this point for reference and correction by colleagues.