Exploration of the Application of Diuretic and Dampness-Dispersing Herbs in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

FENG Caiyi; ZHANG Lin

doi:10.26950/j.issn.2097-5031.2026.02.011

Abstract：Osteoporosis(OP)is a skeletal system disease that primarily affects middle-aged and elderly individuals.Its main characteristics are reduced bone density and bone destruction,which can easily lead to fractures and movement disorders.The pathogenesis of this disease is an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption,falling under the category of"Gu Wei"(bone paralysis)in traditional Chinese medicine.The underlying mechanism can be summarized as deficiency in the spleen and kidney,blood stasis,phlegm stagnation,and qi stagnation.Data mining analysis has revealed that diuretic and dampness-resolving herbs appear frequently in effective prescriptions for treating OP.Therefore,based on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis,this article explores the significance of combining diuretic and dampness-resolving herbs.The study finds that these herbs have the following effects in treating osteoporosis:nourishing without stagnation to prevent being nourishing and greasy;replenishing deficiency and eliminating excess to enhance the treatment of paralysis;regulating both blood and water to promote diuresis and activate blood circulation;promoting diuresis and resolving phlegm to eliminate dampness and turbidity;promoting qi circulation to assist in the transformation of body fluid;and replenishing yang and promoting yang to treat both the body and mind.Additionally,this article discusses the modern pharmacological effects of diuretic and dampness-resolving herbs in treating OP,clarifying their dual efficacy of promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption,thus providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application of these herbs in treating osteoporosis.