TCM for Healthy Bones: Chinese Herbs, Kidney Jing & Bone Health

When we think about healthy bones, we usually think about calcium, vitamin D, and exercise. Traditional Chinese Medicine agrees that these things are important, but it takes a wider view.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bone health is closely connected with the health of the Kidneys, Liver, Blood, and Jing, or Essence.

So keeping your bones strong involves more than just taking calcium and hoping it knows where to go.

The Kidneys and Bone Health in TCM

Chinese medicine says that the Kidneys govern the bones and produce marrow.

This doesn't mean that your actual kidneys are personally in charge of your skeleton. In TCM, the Kidney system refers to a much broader group of functions involved with growth, development, reproduction, aging, the lower back, knees, teeth, hearing, and bones.

The Kidneys also store Jing, usually translated as Essence.

Jing is a little like your body's reserve tank. We inherit some of it from our parents, and we gradually use it throughout life. Good food, good sleep, reasonable exercise, and not running ourselves into the ground can help preserve it.

As Kidney Jing naturally declines with age, we may begin to notice things like:

• Weaker or more brittle bones

• Aching knees

• A weaker lower back

• Problems with the teeth

• Less overall strength and vitality

In TCM, these can all be signs that the Kidney system could use some support.

This is one reason that Chinese medicine for osteoporosis and osteopenia often focuses on strengthening the Kidney system rather than simply treating the bones themselves.

Yin, Yang, and Aging Bones

Not everyone ages in quite the same way.

Some people become colder, slower, and more tired as they get older. In TCM, this may suggest Kidney Yang deficiency.

Others become drier, warmer, and may develop night sweats or feelings of heat. This may suggest Kidney Yin deficiency.

And many people have a little of both.

This is why Chinese medicine doesn't really have one universal “bone formula.”

Two people can have exactly the same diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia and still need completely different herbal treatment.

Same diagnosis. Different people.

Don't Forget the Liver

The Liver also gets involved.

In Chinese medicine, the Liver stores Blood and helps nourish the tendons and ligaments.

And bones need tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints to do anything useful. Without them, we'd basically be a pile of very well-nourished bones.

As we age, Liver Blood deficiency may contribute to stiffness, muscle cramps, weakness, and reduced flexibility.

So a TCM approach to healthy bones and aging may also include supporting the tissues surrounding the bones and keeping the body flexible and mobile.

Chinese Herbs Traditionally Used for Bone Health

Chinese herbal medicine has quite a few herbs with a long history of use for the bones, knees, lower back, tendons, Kidneys, and Jing.

Some of the best-known Chinese herbs for bone health include:

Du Zhong – Eucommia Bark
Traditionally used to strengthen the Liver and Kidneys and support the lower back, knees, tendons, and bones. Especially welcome when the lower back begins complaining about its working conditions.

Xu Duan – Dipsacus Root
Its name means something close to “restore what is broken.” It has traditionally been used for weakness and injuries involving the bones and tendons.

Gu Sui Bu – Drynaria Rhizome
Its Chinese name literally means something like “mender of shattered bones.” You have to admire the confidence.

Bu Gu Zhi – Psoralea Fruit
A warming Kidney Yang herb traditionally used when weakness is accompanied by coldness and other signs of Yang deficiency.

Shu Di Huang – Prepared Rehmannia Root
One of the great traditional herbs for nourishing Blood, Kidney Yin, and Jing.

Gou Qi Zi – Goji Berry
Used to nourish Liver Blood and Kidney Yin. Goji berries were Chinese medicine long before somebody decided to charge $12 for a little bag of them at the health-food store.

These herbs are sometimes found in traditional formulas used to support aging bones, but there is no single group of Chinese herbs for osteoporosis that is appropriate for everyone.

If someone is cold and Yang deficient, warming herbs may be useful. If someone is hot, dry, and Yin deficient, those same herbs may be completely inappropriate.

And some rich nourishing herbs can be difficult to digest if the digestive system is weak.

That's the basic idea behind Chinese herbal medicine: treat the person, not just the name of the disease.

“Osteoporosis? Take this herb” isn't really TCM.

TCM, Osteoporosis, and Osteopenia

Osteoporosis means that bones have become weaker and more likely to fracture. Osteopenia is an earlier stage of reduced bone density.

TCM doesn't replace bone-density testing or conventional medical treatment. Instead, Chinese medicine looks at the person's overall pattern and asks why the body may be having difficulty maintaining strong bones.

A practitioner may consider Kidney Jing, Kidney Yin, Kidney Yang, Blood, digestion, age, strength, lower-back and knee weakness, and other signs before choosing an herbal formula.

That individualized approach is one of the main differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and conventional treatment for osteoporosis.

Keep Moving

Chinese medicine is only part of the picture.

Bones need calcium, vitamin D, protein, and other nutrients. They also need to be used.

Walking and appropriate resistance exercise help maintain bone strength. Staying active also helps maintain muscle strength and balance, which becomes increasingly important as we get older.

After all, preventing a fall is one of the best ways to prevent a broken bone.

A Whole-Body Approach to Healthy Bones

TCM looks at bone health as part of the health of the entire body.

If someone's bones are becoming weaker, a Chinese medicine practitioner may also ask:

How is their energy?

How is their digestion?

Are their knees and lower back weak?

Are they unusually cold or hot?

Are they sleeping well?

Are they staying active?

Two people with osteoporosis may therefore receive two very different Chinese herbal formulas.

TCM can be a useful complement to modern bone care, but osteoporosis, repeated fractures, significant loss of height, or unexplained bone pain should always be properly evaluated medically. Bone-density testing and appropriate conventional treatment are important.

Healthy bones are something we build and maintain throughout life.

Of course, the ideal time to start taking care of them was probably 30 years ago.

But today will do.