6. Wind-Dispelling and Meridian-Unblocking Method

6. Wind-Dispelling and Meridian-Unblocking Method

“The Plain Questions · On the Discussion of Febrile Diseases” states: “Patients with kidney wind often have a swollen, puffy face.” “The Plain Questions · On the Meteorology of Normal People” says: “Facial swelling is called wind, while swelling of the legs and feet is called water.” This shows that ancient people already associated “wind” with edema. Here, “wind” refers not only to external wind but also to internal wind. In my clinical practice, I often add cicada slough, silkworm pupa, earthworm, and white thistle—herbs that dispel wind and unblock meridians—to prescriptions for treating chronic nephritis, and this often has a good effect on improving proteinuria. Modern medicine considers this disease to be an allergic reaction, and such diseases are often linked to the TCM concept of “wind.” Therefore, using the wind-dispelling and meridian-unblocking method to treat chronic nephritis is a topic that warrants further exploration in the future.