4. Clear Heat and Detoxify

4. Clear Heat and Detoxify

The "Discussions on the Origins of Diseases" state, "Edema arises because wind, cold, heat, and toxic qi invade the meridians, causing blood to stagnate and swell." This shows that external wind, cold, heat, and toxic qi have a major impact on the onset of chronic nephritis. Clinically, patients with chronic nephritis often experience worsening of their condition after exposure to external pathogens, especially when exterior wind transforms into interior heat, leading to critical situations and various complications. The author has found through clinical practice that every time the condition of chronic nephritis worsens, it is often linked to internal heat and toxicity. At such times, the prescription must focus on clearing heat and detoxifying to be effective. Commonly used herbs include Er Hua, Lian Qiao, Gong Ying, Bai Jiang, Xia Ku Cao, Shi Wei, and Bai Hua She She Cao. The Yishen Tang developed by the Shanxi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine contains not only the Tao Hong Si Wu Tang but also a large number of heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs, which aligns perfectly with this principle.