Traditional Chinese medicine refers to the kidney as the “foundation of innate vitality” because the kidney stores the “Essence of Innate Vitality,” which is the foundation of yin and yang in the organs, the source of life. Therefore, once the kidney experiences problems, it can lead to various troubles in the body. The following twelve phenomena, if present in you, indicate kidney damage!
1. Fatigue.
When kidney function is poor, many waste products are difficult to excrete from the urine, leading to feelings of fatigue, weakness, and lack of energy.
2. Loss of appetite.
Not feeling like eating, loss of appetite, and even nausea or vomiting are common symptoms of kidney disease.
3. Foamy urine.
There are multiple reasons for foamy urine; if protein leaks from the kidneys into the urine, it can cause the urine to foam.
4. Lower back pain.
Since the kidneys are located on both sides of the spinal column in the lower back, kidney problems can result in lower back pain.
5. Changes in urine frequency and volume.
A healthy individual generally urinates about 4-6 times a day, with a urine volume of around 800-2000 milliliters. Any significant changes in frequency or amount of urine should be noted.
6. Edema.
Excessive water intake, prolonged sleep, obesity, etc., can lead to mild swelling in areas like eyelids, face, and lower legs. If not due to these reasons, kidney issues should be considered.
7. Proteinuria and hematuria.
Finding protein or blood in the urine is an important sign of kidney disease, which can be easily confirmed through a urine test.
8. Anemia.
Anemic patients often seek treatment for anemia in the hematology department. Apart from waste excretion, the kidneys also have endocrine functions, secreting erythropoietin. When kidney function is impaired, it can cause anemia.
9. Diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to kidney disease, known as diabetic nephropathy, a complication of diabetes.
10. Hypertension.
Hypertension can cause hypertensive nephropathy or kidney damage due to high blood pressure, so individuals with hypertension need to be cautious.
11. Gout and hyperuricemia.
Gout and hyperuricemia result from excessive uric acid in the blood. In those with high blood uric acid levels, the uric acid can deposit in the kidneys, causing kidney damage.
12. Urinary tract infections.
Chronic urinary tract infections, if untreated for long periods, can lead to renal insufficiency.
From the perspective of a healthy diet, nourishing the kidneys through dietary therapy is the most effective. Many natural foods can help strengthen the kidneys and invigorate yang. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Black sesame, walnut, black soybean powder.
In Chinese folklore, there is a saying, “black foods are nourishing.” Black sesame, walnut, and black soybean powder can nourish the liver and kidneys, enrich the five viscera, enhance qi, nourish the essence, fill the brain marrow, and moisten the five viscera. These ingredients are used to treat kidney deficiency, thus improving symptoms like thin and soft hair or hair loss stemming from kidney deficiency, particularly recommended for individuals engaged in mental work.
2. Epimedium with honey.
This ancient remedy comes from various plants in the Epimedium genus of the Berberidaceae family. Li Shizhen, in his “Compendium of Materia Medica,” described it as having the effects of “benefiting essence and qi, strengthening tendons and bones, tonifying the waist and knees, and invigorating the heart.” Made primarily from Epimedium, supplemented with honey, this preparation extracts the effective substances from Epimedium through high-pressure methods. Epimedium is known for improving and treating prostate conditions, exhibiting anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-osteoporosis, and immune-boosting properties!
3. Cistanche.
Cistanche is a plant that can nourish the kidneys and originated from border areas. It has been presented as a “tribute” in ancient dynasties and is often used for cooking with lamb, as a medicinal delicacy, or infused into liquor to nourish yang, tonify the kidneys, enrich essence and blood, and moisten the intestines!
4. Oysters: a type of seafood rich in zinc, helpful in synthesizing male hormones to maintain the normal functioning of the prostate. Eating them raw is the best way to retain the zinc inside oysters.
Other options include lobsters, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, fish roe, shrimp roe, shellfish, seaweed, and more.
5. Caviar: Rich in protein and hormones, caviar is an effective aphrodisiac. Its astonishingly high price is sure to make one hesitate to say it doesn’t work!
6. Mulberries: Mulberries can help improve this “reproductive sub-health.” Many formulas for treating asthenospermia include mulberries as a crucial component.
Thus, for men actively preparing for the “next generation,” it might be beneficial to consume more mulberries during this season. Mulberries are known for regulating sweat deficiency and improving sperm quality.
7. Chinese chives: also known as yang-uplifting grass, lazy man’s vegetable, eternal chives, etc. Chinese chives are revered for their prominent role in tonifying the liver and kidneys, invigorating yang, consolidating essence, and warming the liver and kidneys.
Chinese chive seeds are a stimulant with effects on consolidating essence, enhancing yang, nourishing the kidneys, treating enuresis, and warming the lower back and knees, suitable for issues like spermatorrhea and frequent urination.
Finally, here are three recommended kidney-strengthening soups.
One, Pork Stomach Soup with Ginkgo Biloba.
Ingredients: 50g ginkgo biloba, 1 pork stomach, 100g lean pork, 150g pork backbone, 50g soaked tofu skin, 1 piece of old ginger, and a moderate amount of green onions and goji berries.
Seasonings: salt, chicken powder.
Method:
1. Wash all ingredients, cut the tofu skin into sections, and cut the rest into pieces;
2. Heat a clay pot with water, blanch the pork stomach, pork backbone, and lean pork, remove the blood, and set aside for cleaning;
3. Add fresh water to the clay pot, add ginkgo biloba, pork stomach, lean pork, and pork backbone, boil for 2 hours, then add the tofu skin;
4. After boiling, add salt, chicken powder, sprinkle with goji berries and green onions, and it’s ready to be served.
Therapeutic Effect: In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo biloba is known for its significant kidney-nourishing effects, making this soup suitable for individuals with kidney deficiency or poor kidney function.
Two, Goji Berry and Beef Soup.
Ingredients: 15g goji berries, 15g Chinese yam, 15g cassia seed, 60g beef, and 2 slices of fresh ginger.
Seasonings: monosodium glutamate, salt.
Method:
1. Clean all ingredients, cut the beef into pieces and set aside;
2. In a pot, add water, put in all ingredients except goji berries, bring to a boil, simmer for 2 hours on low heat, then add goji berries, boil again, add salt and monosodium glutamate, and it’s ready.
Therapeutic Effect: Goji berries are known for their kidney and liver nourishing properties, promoting eye health. This soup, with goji berries as the main ingredient and a moderate amount of cassia seed, enhances its kidney-strengthening and health-promoting effects.
Note: People with loose stools should avoid it.
Three, Gastrodia and Eucommia Bark Soup with Pig Kidneys.
Ingredients: 15g gastrodia, 30g eucommia bark, 2 pig kidneys, 80g chestnuts, green onions, ginger, a moderate amount.
Seasonings: 1 spoon of cooking wine, half a spoon of ground pepper, salt as needed.
Method:
1. Cut the pig kidneys in half, remove the fascia, soak in clean water for 10 minutes, make cuts, quickly blanch in boiling water, then set aside;
2. Wash gastrodia and eucommia bark, and peel the chestnuts;
3. In a pot with an appropriate amount of water, add all ingredients, cooking wine, bring to a boil, simmer on low heat for 2 hours, add salt, pepper, and it’s ready to serve.
Therapeutic Effect: Pig kidneys have the effects of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, suitable for individuals with kidney deficiency experiencing lower back pain or the lumbar soreness following nephritis.
