Efficacy of Herbal and Alternative Medicines as Adjunct Therapies for Chronic Kidney Disease Management: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly impacts patient quality of life and is associated with numerous complications, including uremic pruritus and anemia. Traditional treatments often fail to effectively manage these symptoms, leading to increased patient interest in alternative medical systems (AMS) such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and naturopathy.

Methods: This review systematically analyzes the efficacy of AMS in alleviating CKD-related symptoms through a comprehensive literature search in databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus, covering studies published until 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on CKD patients utilizing herbal and alternative therapies were included.

Results: The review identified significant benefits of AMS, particularly TCM and Ayurveda, in managing CKD symptoms. Notable findings include a 49% reduction in pruritus symptoms with homeopathic treatments and improved hemoglobin levels in patients receiving TCM therapies. Additionally, herbal remedies like Huangkui and silymarin demonstrated effects on proteinuria and renal function enhancement, respectively. The integration of AMS with conventional therapies showed promising synergistic effects.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that herbal and alternative medicines can serve as effective adjunct therapies in managing chronic kidney disease, particularly in symptom relief and improving overall patient outcomes. However, further large-scale RCTs are necessary to validate these results and establish standardized treatment protocols. Healthcare practitioners should consider individual patient profiles when incorporating AMS into treatment plans.