Herbs for Kidney and Bladder

Connected - Central - Holistic

Explore the kidneys and bladder from the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Western Herbal and biomedical perspectives.
"The kidneys are associated with the reproductive system in Chinese medicine and very often we see this connection, which we will mention in our class. However, this subject will also be taken up on female and male reproduction and endocrine classes. The adrenals, sitting atop the kidneys, will not be described here in detail--see the endocrine class." - Matthew Wood

Unlock the kidney's code to vitality! 

There's no doubt the heart is an essential organ, but the kidneys are of equal importance. By comparison, the liver re-generates considerably after injury—especially with herbs and vitamins. If the heart is damaged, there is compensation for activity but not regeneration. If the kidneys are damaged, there is some repair and compensation but generally not full return to functioning.
We agree with traditional Chinese medicine that the kidneys are the foundation of our stamina—the stronger the kidneys the more force in ‘doing what needs to be done.’ TCM also credits the kidneys with storing the Jing (essence, genetic material), which is the source of the primal yin and yang of the body. The basic water and the basic fire. The kidneys even store the primal qi (which is equivalent to inherited constitutional strength). We will be studying this aspect of the kidneys but we (Matthew) long ago found that for actual kidney problems, the Chinese system is deficient.

Western herbalism provides us with diuretics, astringents, and warming remedies that address kidney problems directly. We need to understand the kidneys from the six tissue states – hot and cold, damp and dry, tense and relaxed. And by golly, we also need to understand the basic problems from the TCM standpoint—Kidney Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Qi Deficiency, and Jing Deficiency. These show us the more far-flung influences of the kidneys on functions and structures such as bones, joints, stamina, exhaustion, etc., that we might not think about when using the Western model. And, of course, we need to know how the kidneys work, in biomedical terms.
We address common issues and you'll learn how the kidneys in particular affect so many other functions in the body including:
  • bones
  • joints
  • stamina
  • exhaustion
  • 'leaking'
  • cleansing
  • pain
  • weakness related to these organs
  • and more

Includes

Support Materials

Kidneys: Water/Solid Regulation and Bladder: Solid/Water Elimination by Matthew Wood

Support Materials

Herbs for the Urinary Tract System by Phyllis D. Light

Video

6 hours of teaching

Certificate

Certificate included
(see more below)

Pay Once = One Year Access

1 year to view and review content, ask questions and discuss

This is for you if you...

desire a deeper, holistic understanding of the function and importance of the kidneys in Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
want to gain insights into Traditional Western Herbalism and its approach to kidney health, including the use of diuretics, astringents, and warming remedies. 
want to develop an awareness of the interconnectedness between kidney health and various bodily functions, such as bones, joints, stamina, and more. 

Upon completion, you will...

be able to understand kidney health from a very holistic point of view including insight from Traditional Western Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine and the modern biomedical models. 
will be equipped with practical knowledge to help the physical and energetic ailments of this system.
have a keen understanding of how kidney health influences various, seeming unrelated bodily functions. 

Teachers

Matthew Wood, MS

Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist for over forty years. He is an internationally known
teacher and author with more than ten books to his credit, including The Book of Herbal Wisdom, 
The Earthwise Herbals, Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix, and A Shamanic Herbal 
(July 2024). Matthew has an MSc in herbal medicine from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine 
(accredited, U. of Wales). He lives in the Midwest. 

Phyllis D. Light, MA 

As 4th generation herbalist, Phyllis started with lessons from her grandmother who taught from her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for 30+ years. She is the author of Southern Folk Medicine and co-author of Traditional Western Herbalism Pulse Evaluation.

Certificate Included

  • How to Get a Certificate

    • Complete course materials
    • Pass the test with a grade of 70% or better
    • Save or print your certificate!


    Available with subscription and individual course purchases.

  • Accreditation hours

    This course is a total of 14.3 accredited hours
    • 10 hours Materia Medica
    • 4.3 hours Basic Human Sciences


    *Please check with your accrediting agency whether they will accept accredited hours or certificates from the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism
"In the female reproductive system, the bladder, vagina, and uterus are tied together by location and influence of function. The uterus sits atop the bladder and the vagina sits next to it. Oftentimes, the health of the bladder and the health of the vagina become interconnected as they are both mucous membrane tissues. This is especially true in the area of bacterial infection of the bladder." - Phyllis D. Light
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Herbs for Kidney and Bladder

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