Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Principles for Chronic Kidney Disease Based on Age Stratification

Corresponding author: Meng li-feng, mlf428@126.com

DOI: 10.12201/bmr.202603.00100

•  

  Abstract: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by its insidious onset, prolonged course, and poor prognosis. It can occur across all age groups, but its core pathogenesis lies in kidney deficiency and dampness-stasis. The treatment principle is tonifying the kidneys, clearing dampness, harmonizing collaterals, and expelling turbidity 1. However, due to differences in renal physiological and pathological characteristics and progression patterns among different age groups, the treatment principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for CKD also vary accordingly. Classical TCM theory posits that renal energy follows a developmental pattern of prosperity—balance—decline with aging. Modern medical research indicates that glomerular filtration rate progressively declines with age, while tubular reabsorption and secretion functions also gradually weaken. Thus, age emerges as a critical factor influencing the individualized treatment of CKD in TCM. The Suwen·On the Principle of Treatment states: For the elderly, treatment should target the internal organs; for the young, it should target the collaterals; and for the vigorous, it should target the organs. Building upon this theoretical framework and considering the physiological and pathological characteristics of CKD patients across different age groups, an age-stratified individualized treatment strategy is proposed:For elderly CKD patients, the core principle is treating the kidneys through the internal organs. For middle-aged CKD patients, the core principle is treating the kidneys through the organs. For pediatric CKD patients, the core principle is treating the kidneys through the collaterals. This paper systematically elaborates on the theoretical origins and practical logic of these treatment principles, aiming to provide innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and methodological support for the TCM prevention and treatment of CKD.

  Key words: Age stratification; chronic kidney disease; principles of traditional Chinese medicine; individualized treatment

  Submit time: 23 March 2026

  Copyright: The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted biomedRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
• html

• 图表

• shen pei cheng. Overview of TCM non-drug therapy of chronic kidney disease. 2024. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202409.00054

  Cai Xudong. Macrophage Polarization Affects Chronic Kidney Disease:Based on Theory of “Harmful Hyperactivity and Responding Inhibition”. 2024. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202407.00027

  wangyongji. A Discussion on the Principles of Medicinal Formulation for the Treatment of Pediatric Diarrhea in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the *Chinese Medical Canon*. 2026. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202605.00090

  wang xiangming. Application of holistic functional teaching in clinical teaching of chronic kidney disease. 2024. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202406.00016

  dengxin, yubang. Exploring the Mechanism and Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Based on the MAPK Signaling Pathway. 2026. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202609.00008

  YE Tao, SHEN Na▲. Research Progress on the Impact of Hyperuricemia on Chronic Kidney Disease. 2025. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202503.00045

  Wang Hebao. Exploring the Pathogenesis of Chronic Hepatitis B from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2025. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202508.00016

  施靖瑜, Wang Shaoyang. Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Signaling Pathways for Synergistic Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 2026. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202602.00018

  YANG Ruyi, ZHAO Wenling. Research Progress on Clinical Efficacy of Adjuvant Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2026. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202609.00010

  chenhongbo. Role of Novel Biomarkers in Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease. 2025. doi: 10.12201/bmr.202508.00003

• ID	Submit time	Number	Download
  1	2026-01-21	10.12201/bmr.202603.00100V1	Download

• Public  Anonymous  To author only Submit Comments