Nephro-Protective and Restorative Herbs

Question 1

Ginkgo biloba: Actions

Answer 1

Actions: increases blood flow to brain and periphery, antioxidant, *anti-inflammatory, *antithrombotic (antagonizes Platelet Activating Factors), benefits cognition
** Addresses microcirculation!

Question 2

Ginkgo Biloba: Indications and CIs

Answer 2

Indications: cerebrovascular insufficiency and impaired mental performance, migraines, tinnitus, vertigo, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, intermittent claudication, Raynaud’s phenomena, diabetic ulcers, varicose veins, erectile dysfunction, altitude sickness, nephropathy (MICROVASCULATURE FOCUSED)

Contraindications: pregnancy, hemophilia, use of blood thinning medications

Question 3

Vaccinium myrtillus

Blueberry

Answer 3

Constituents: anthocyanins
Energetics: mildly drying

Question 4

Vaccinium myrtillus

Blueberry

Answer 4

Indications: Vascular damage and inflammation, uremic bruising
Contraindications: none

Question 5

Vaccinium myrtillus

Blueberry

Answer 5

Actions: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, vasoprotectant, inhibits platelet aggregation, inhibits collagenase and elastase

Question 6

Silybum marianum

Milk Thistle

Answer 6

Constituents: flavanolignan - silymarin
Sterols, bitter principle, fixed oil, mucilage
Actions: hepatoprotective, hepatotonic, antihepatotoxic (particularly against aminita phalloides), nephroprotective, bitter, galactagogue

Question 7

Silybum marianum

Milk Thistle

Answer 7

Indications: liver diseases , jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism with fatty liver

Contraindications: speculative - asteraceae family allergy

Question 8

Silybum marianum

Milk Thistle

Answer 8

The combination of metformin, silymarin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers may have additive kidney protective property to prevent or slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy. 8

stimulate RNA and protein synthesis which is important for renal and hepatic repair mechanisms. 9
flavonolignans protect kidney cells in culture from the renal toxic effects of the drugs paracetamol, cisplatin, and vincristine. 9
In rats, silibinin protected renal tubular cells from the oxidative damage from cisplatin. 10
Silibinin also protects against experimental cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. 11

Question 9

Urtica dioica seed

Nettle Seed

Answer 9

Found to reduce serum creatinine in kidney transplant patients

“Nettle Seed is the least known part of Nettles. In Europe, the seed is used as a restorative tonic for old and worn out horses. More than 10 years ago, I discovered Nettle Seed could be used as a kidney trophorestorative-literally a food for the kidneys. I have used the seed tincture to treat over 30 cases of degenerative kidney disease and the results have far exceeded my expectations. A recent study published in the Journal of The American Herbalist Guild [4(2):22-25] confirms my clinical experience, showing that Nettle Seed increases kidney glomerular function and reduces serum creatinine levels. Many herbalists have seen significant benefits from using Nettle Seed tincture in patients with glomerulonephritis, chronic nephritis with degeneration, and to protect the kidneys from nephrotoxic medications

Question 10

Curcuma longa
(Turmeric)

Answer 10

Energetics: cooling, warming, stimulating, moves stagnation

Specificity of Seat: liver, circulatory system

Question 11

Curcuma longa
(Turmeric)

Answer 11

Constituents: Curcumin; volatile oil, mainly composed of tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone; resin; disaccharides; protein; vitamins and minerals.

Actions: alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, lowers cholesterol, carminative, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, vulnerary.

Question 12

Curcuma longa
(Turmeric)

Answer 12

Indications: inflammations of all kinds, jaundice, liver disorders, chronic skin conditions, cardiovascular disease

Contraindications: Contraindicated in large doses in pregnancy. Contraindicated in bile duct obstruction.

Question 13

Panax ginseng

Asian Ginseng

Answer 13

Energetics: warming
Constituents: Triterpene glycosides: ginsenosides; glycans: panaxan A-E
Actions: adaptogen, tonic, stimulant, hypoglycemic, antitoxic
Ginseng saponin protects the kidney from oxidative stress

Question 14

Panax ginseng

Asian Ginseng

Answer 14

Indications: weakened state due to chronic illness or chronic stress

Contraindications/Cautions: always buy organically grown roots as some farming practices use considerable amounts of fungicides and pesticides. If used long-term with caffeine, may cause hypertension.

*CI with MAO inhibitors – case report of mania

Question 15

Cordyceps sinensis

Caterpillar Fungus

Answer 15

Energetics: sweet, warm

Constituents: cordycepin, cordycepic acid, galactomannans, polysaccharides, sterols

Actions: adaptogen, immunostimulant, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, cardiotonic, increases endurance, nephroprotective when coadministered with aminoglycoside antibiotics, antiviral, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, circulatory stimulant, anti-asthma

Question 16

Cordyceps sinensis

Caterpillar Fungus

Answer 16

Indications: excessive tiredness, persistent cough, impotence, anemia (supports marrow)

Contraindications/Cautions: adulteration, fumigation and misidentification are a problem in the global marketpalce.

Question 17

Cordyceps sinensis
(Caterpillar Fungus)

Dr. Georges M. Halpern - Univ Hong Kong

Answer 17

Improves the Respiratory Function
Increases cellular Oxygen Absorption by up to 40%
Improves the Functioning of the Heart
Decreases cholesterol, increases HDL
Chronic kidney disease improvement
Reduces Tumor Size in Cancer Patients
Increases NK cell activity
Reduces Fatigue
Improves Stamina and Athletic Performance
Increases cellular energy
Combats Sexual Dysfunction
Improves libido

Question 18

Cordyceps sinensis

Caterpillar Fungus

Answer 18

Augments the Kidney and tonifies the yang: for impotence and sore and weak lower back and lower extremities from Kidney yang deficiency.
Tonifies Kidney yang, augments Lung yin
It tonifies both yin and yang in different channels
It can be used long-term

Question 19

Salvia miltiorrhiza

Red Sage Root, Dan Shen

Answer 19

Energetics: mildly drying

Constituents: Diterpene quinones - Tanshinone I, Tanshinone II, Cryptotanshinone and other tanshinonates

Actions: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, microcirculatory protectant and regenerator

Question 20

Salvia miltiorrhiza

Red Sage Root, Dan Shen

Answer 20

Indications: Liver inflammation and cirrhosis, nephroprotectant

Contraindications/Cautions: some may experience pruritis, stomachache and reduced appetite from tincture3, potentiates warfarin4

Question 21

Salvia miltiorrhiza - Chinese Medicine Perspective

Red Sage Root, Dan Shen

Answer 21

Invigorates the blood
Breaks up blood stasis
Clears heat and soothes irritability
Calms the spirit

Question 22

Danshen protects kidney grafts from ischemia/reperfusion injury after experimental transplantation

Answer 22

Preconditioning of both donors and recipients with DS significantly reduces IRI and thus improves graft function after eKTx.

Question 23

Rheum officinale
(Rhubarb)

*Other species used: R. palmatum, R. tanguticum

Answer 23

Part Used: root and rhizome
Energetics: bitter, cold
Constituents: anthaquinone glycosides, tannic acid galic acids, catechin,
Actions: Astringent, laxative, lowers triglycerides and cholesterol, increases GFR *Chinese Med uses this more as a kidney herb

Question 24

Rheum officinale

Rhubarb

Answer 24

Indications: constipation, renal compromise

Cautions/Contraindications: Leaves should not be eaten due to high oxalic acid content, long-term use can cause electrolyte imbalance due to laxative effect. CI in pregnancy and lactation

Question 25

Da Huang

Rheum spp. – Chinese perspective

Answer 25

Drains heat
Purges accumulations
Cools blood
Invigorates and dispels blood stasis