Certain alternative supplements may be helpful in treating moderate kidney disease. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, chronic kidney disease is the permanent impairment of kidney function. Possible causes of chronic kidney disease include trauma and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. Before taking alternative supplements to help treat your kidney disease, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, is an alternative supplement that may be helpful in treating your moderate kidney disease. According to the University of Michigan Health System, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used Asian ginseng, a member of the Araliaceae family, for over 2,000 years to help treat numerous health problems. Asian ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant that grows in China and Korea, has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and possesses warming tendencies. The fleshy root of the plant is used for medicinal purposes, including kidney disease. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that Asian ginseng is used to help support your normal kidney function. Ginseng saponin, notes Tilgner, helps protect your kidneys from oxidative stress, or the damage caused by free radicals.
Rhubarb
Tilgner states that rhubarb, also known as Rheum officinalis, is an astringent and anti-inflammatory that is used for its ability to help protect your kidneys during the early stages of kidney failure. Rhubarb may be especially helpful in treating diabetic nephropathy, or serious kidney disease that can manifest in people who have had diabetes for a prolonged period. Rhubarb, notes Tilgner, has also been used to help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people experiencing chronic kidney failure. Rhubarb is an herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the buckwheat family. It has a bitter, sour and astringent taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. According to Tilgner, rhubarb can significantly improve your uremic indices, or the amount of urea in your blood, which may be a sign of successful kidney disease treatment. Before taking rhubarb to help treat your kidney disease, talk with your physician about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Astragalus
Astragalus, a member of the legume family, is a perennial plant that grows in certain parts of China, Mongolia and Korea. Astragalus, also called Astragalus membranaceus, has a sweet and moistening taste, possesses slight warming tendencies, helps circulate moisture throughout your body and grows to a maximum height of about 3 feet. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of the astragalus plant medicinally. According to Tilgner, astragalus is an adaptogen, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps protect your kidneys and encourages tissue regeneration. Astragalus also acts as a diuretic in weakness-induced water retention. The two principal active constituent groups in astragalus are polysaccharides and saponins. Consult with your physician about appropriate dosage, potential side effects and possible drug interactions before taking supplements containing astragalus to help treat your kidney disease.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Chronic Kidney Disease
- University of Michigan Health System: Asian Ginseng
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
