Nourishing the kidney is a science, how to nourish the kidney healthily
Nourishing the kidney, a term in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It refers to the use of methods such as diet, herbal supplements, fitness exercises, qigong, acupuncture, and massage to change the state of kidney yin deficiency or kidney yang deficiency. The most common foods for nourishing the kidney are deer antler slices used for making soups or soaking in wine.
TCM Analysis
TCM believes that kidney deficiency is divided into kidney yin deficiency and kidney yang deficiency, and different treatments should be given according to different symptoms. Kidney deficiency is mostly a chronic condition accumulated over time, and one must not use potent tonics in a rush or use kidney-nourishing and yang-strengthening drugs with unknown ingredients. Instead, it should be slowly conditioned.
Symptoms of Yang Deficiency: Soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, or cold pain in the lower back; aversion to cold, especially in the limbs, with the lower limbs being more severe; dizziness, listlessness, pale or dark complexion; pale, enlarged tongue with a white coating, and a deep, weak pulse; men are prone to impotence and premature ejaculation; women are prone to uterine cold infertility; or chronic diarrhea, undigested food in stool, diarrhea at dawn; or edema, more severe in the lower part of the body, with pits that do not bounce back when pressed, and in severe cases, abdominal distension and pain, palpitations, and coughing.
Symptoms of Yin Deficiency: Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, weak legs; dizziness, tinnitus; hair loss, loose teeth; night sweats, insomnia; sleep talking, teeth grinding; dry mouth; yellow urine; dry stools; in men, persistent or easily triggered erection, or impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea; in women, scanty or absent menstruation, or metrorrhagia; emaciation; tidal fever and night sweats; heat sensation in the five centers (palms, soles, chest); dry throat, flushed cheekbones; yellow urine, dry stools; red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. The kidney is the foundation of innate constitution. The yin essence in the kidney is the source of all bodily fluids. Deficiency of yin essence can lead to various diseases, such as dizziness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, steaming bone fever, and diabetes.
Etiology
1. Often caused by excessive sexual activity or frequent masturbation in youth.
2. Excessive worry and melancholy, which damages the heart and spleen, and in turn affects the Yangming and Chong meridians.
3. Fear damages the kidney; fear injures the kidney.
4. The liver governs the sinews, and the external genitalia are the convergence of the sinews. If emotions are not satisfied, with worry, melancholy, and anger, the liver's function of ensuring the free flow of qi will be impaired, and the sinews will lack strength.
5. Damp-heat pouring downwards, causing the sinews to slacken.
Prevention and Treatment
In terms of prevention, if the condition is related to unrestrained sensual indulgence, one should calm the mind and reduce desires, and abstain from masturbation. If it is related to general weakness, malnutrition, or physical and mental overwork, one should increase nutrition appropriately, balance work and rest, and moderate sexual desire. Kidney deficiency is mostly a chronic condition accumulated over time, and one must not use potent tonics in a rush, but should slowly condition the body.
Three Principles of Nourishing the Kidney
(1) Beforehand
Principle of Timely Tonification: The kidney is the source of "essence" for men. Therefore, in daily life, men must pay attention to the conditioning of the kidney, nourishing the kidney to produce essence, so that the kidney's qi and essence are abundant, to be ready for "timely needs".
(2) During
Principle of Sufficient Strength: On the premise of abundant essence, one can appropriately use yang-strengthening and strength-enhancing herbs to ensure that men have sufficient strength at critical moments.
(3) Afterward
Principle of Emphasizing Recovery: After consuming a large amount of physical energy and essence, men must promptly nourish the kidney to allow the qi and essence in the kidney to be repaired and replenished in time for future use, thus avoiding the误区 of "drinking poison to quench thirst" and "the lamp running out of oil."
Foods for Nourishing the Kidney:
Kidney deficiency can be improved through diet therapy. However, it should be noted that many people with kidney deficiency believe it can be treated with food supplements, which is unscientific. Relying solely on food therapy is far from enough. Others often take various proprietary Chinese medicines, but in fact, the medicinal properties of the herbs in these medicines are diminished, greatly reducing their effectiveness. It is recommended to use the TCM formula "Qian Yuan Tang" (乾元汤) for conditioning. This formula has two versions, one for yin and one for yang, and has a good effect on treating kidney deficiency. It can also be ground into a powder and made into tea for drinking to avoid the reduction of the herbs' medicinal properties.
Sesame
Sweet and neutral in nature, it has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidney, and moistening the five organs. As recorded in "Ben Jing Shu": "Sesame, its nature and flavor are neutral, neither cold nor hot, is the best grain for nourishing the liver and kidney." Especially for those with kidney deficiency who experience lower back pain, leg weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, dry and falling hair, and premature graying of hair, or dry stools, it is most suitable to eat.
Millet
Also known as谷子 or 稞子. It can tonify kidney qi. "Ming Yi Bie Lu" and "Dian Nan Ben Cao" both say that "millet nourishes kidney qi." Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty also said: "Millet is the grain of the kidney, and it is suitable for those with kidney disease to eat it. Eating it as congee benefits the dantian and tonifies deficiency."
Chestnut
Warm in nature, sweet in taste. Besides its effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach, it also has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening the waist. It is most suitable for those with kidney deficiency and lower back pain. For example, the Tang Dynasty health expert Sun Simiao said: "Eaten raw, it is very effective for treating weak腰脚." Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty also recorded: "To treat kidney deficiency and weak腰脚, put raw chestnuts in a bag and hang them to dry. Eat more than ten pieces every morning, and then eat pig kidney congee to help it. After a long time, you will become strong."
Cowpea
Also known as饭豆 or 长豆. Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, it can tonify the kidney and strengthen the spleen. Besides being suitable for those with spleen deficiency, it is also suitable for those with kidney deficiency. It is most suitable for kidney deficiency, diabetes, spermatorrhea, turbid urine, or frequent urination in men, and leucorrhea in women. "Ben Cao Mu Mu" once recorded: "Cowpea regulates the middle and replenishes qi, tonifies the kidney and strengthens the stomach, and produces essence." "Sichuan Ben Cao Zhi" also says it can "nourish yin and tonify the kidney, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and treat leucorrhea, turbid urine, and kidney deficiency spermatorrhea."
Cowpea
Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, it has the dual effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen. As recorded in "Ben Cao Mu Mu": "Cowpea tonifies the kidney and strengthens the stomach, and produces essence." In modern times, "Sichuan Ben Cao Zhi" also introduces: "Cowpea nourishes yin and tonifies the kidney, strengthens the spleen and stomach. It treats leucorrhea, turbid urine, and kidney deficiency spermatorrhea." It is also suitable for those with kidney deficiency and frequent urination.
Feng Ci Ma
5-8g of Feng Ci Ma, decocted and taken orally, double the amount for fresh product, once daily; for impotence and premature ejaculation, it takes 24-30 days to heal; for spermatorrhea, 20-25 days.
Ox Marrow
It has the effect of moistening the lungs, tonifying the kidney, and benefiting the marrow. "Ben Cao Mu Mu" says it can "moisten the lungs and tonify the kidney, and benefit the skin and complexion." It is especially suitable for those with kidney deficiency, emaciation, and deficiency of essence and blood.
Dog Meat
Warm in nature, salty in taste. Besides its effect of tonifying the middle and replenishing qi, it can also warm the kidney and assist yang. Therefore, it is most suitable for those with insufficient kidney yang, weak or cold lower back and knees. "Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao" believes: dog meat "tonifies the stomach qi, strengthens yang, warms the腰膝, and tonifies deficiency and exhaustion." "Yi Lin Zuan Yao" also says: "Dog meat tonifies lung qi and secures kidney qi." The Qing Dynasty physician Zhang Lu also said: "Dog meat is most suitable for those with deficiency of the lower origin." Those with deficiency of the lower origin refer to kidney yang deficiency and decline of the gate of life.
Sheep Bone
Warm in nature, sweet in taste, it can tonify the kidney and strengthen the sinews and bones. "Yin Zheng Yao Yao" believes: "Sheep tail bone benefits the kidney and brightens the eyes, and tonifies deficiency and cold in the lower jiao." "Ben Cao Mu Mu" records: "Sheep spine bone tonifies bone deficiency, unblocks the Du meridian, and treats lower back pain and dysentery; sheep shin bone mainly treats spleen weakness, kidney deficiency's inability to control sperm, and turbid urine." The Tang Dynasty "Shi Yi Xin Jing" also introduces: "To treat kidney deficiency and cold, with inability to turn the腰脊: take one sheep spine bone, pound it and cook until soft, and eat it on an empty stomach." It is most suitable for those with kidney deficiency, overwork, weak腰膝, aversion to cold, and pain in the sinews and bones.
Pig Kidney
Neutral in nature, salty in taste. Meng Chen of the Tang Dynasty believed that pig kidney "is for kidney deficiency." "Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao" says it "tonifies the water organ and treats deafness." The water organ actually refers to the kidney. Therefore, it is advisable to often eat it for腰酸腰痛, spermatorrhea, night sweats, and deafness and tinnitus in the elderly due to kidney deficiency.
Mussel
It has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidney, and benefiting essence and blood. "Sui Ju Yin Shi Pu" says it "tonifies the kidney, replenishes blood, and fills essence." "Ben Cao Hui Yan" also says: "Mussel is a medicine that tonifies deficiency and nourishes the kidney. This thing originally belongs to the shellfish category, its flavor is sweet and delicious and light, its nature is originally cool, and it is good at treating kidney deficiency with heat." Therefore, it is most suitable for those with kidney deficiency, emaciation, hectic fever from overwork, dizziness, night sweats, lower back pain, and impotence.
Dried Scallop
Also known as江珧柱. Neutral in nature, sweet and salty in taste, it can tonify the kidney and nourish yin. Therefore, it is advisable for those with kidney yin deficiency to often eat it. The Qing Dynasty food doctor Wang Mengying believed: "Dried scallop tonifies the kidney, same as mussel." "Ben Qiu Zhen" also says it can "nourish true yin," which actually means to nourish kidney yin.
Sea Bass
Also known as花鲈 or 鲈子鱼. Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, it can tonify the spleen and stomach, as well as the liver and kidney, and benefit the sinews and bones. "Ben Jing Shu" once recorded: "Sea bass, its flavor is sweet and light, its nature is neutral, and it is suitable for the spleen and stomach. The kidney governs the bones, the liver governs the sinews, the taste belongs to yin, and it is all returned to the organs, benefiting the yin qi of the two organs, so it can benefit the sinews and bones." "Jia Ben Cao" believes: "Sea bass, eating more is suitable for people, and making it into a paste is especially good." It is suitable for those with liver and kidney yin deficiency, or spleen and stomach weakness.
Mulberry
Commonly known as桑果. Cool in nature, sweet in taste, it has the effect of tonifying the liver, benefiting the kidney, and nourishing yin. As recorded in "Dian Nan Ben Cao": "Mulberry benefits the kidney and secures essence, and long-term use can blacken hair and brighten the eyes." Qing Dynasty Wang Mengying also said: "Mulberry nourishes the liver and kidney, fills the blood, and strengthens the walk." Therefore, it is most suitable for those with kidney deficiency, especially those with insufficient kidney yin.
Euryale Ferox Seed
Neutral in nature, sweet and astringent in taste, it has the dual effect of tonifying the kidney, securing essence, strengthening the spleen, and stopping diarrhea. "Ben Jing Bai Zhong Lu" calls it "a medicine for the spleen and kidney." "Ben Cong Xin" also says it can "strengthen the spleen and secure essence." "Ben Xin Bian" also says: "Euryale ferox seed not only benefits essence but also astringes essence and tonifies the kidney. When used with yam, grind them into powder, and take it with rice daily." It is advisable for those with kidney deficiency who experience spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, leucorrhea, or incontinence/frequent urination.
Walnut
Warm in nature, sweet in taste. It can not only tonify the lungs and stop coughing, but also tonify the kidney and secure essence, and moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. It is suitable for those with kidney deficiency, coughing and asthma, spermatorrhea and impotence, lower back pain and weak legs, frequent urination, and dry stools. As said in "Yi Xue Zhong Can Lu Xi Lu": "Walnut is a key medicine for nourishing the liver and kidney, strengthening the sinews and bones, so it is good for treating腰痛腿痛, and all kinds of pain in the sinews and bones. Because it can tonify the kidney, it can secure teeth, blacken hair, treat deficiency and exhaustion coughing, qi not returning to the origin, cold in the lower jiao, frequent urination, and uterine bleeding and leucorrhea in women."
Chinese Yam
Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, it is a "superior grade" medicine in TCM. Besides its effect of tonifying the lung and strengthening the spleen, it can also benefit the kidney and fill essence. For example, Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty pointed out: Chinese yam "benefits kidney qi, and strengthens the spleen and stomach." "Ben Zheng" also records: "Chinese yam can strengthen the spleen and tonify deficiency, nourish essence and secure the kidney, and treat all kinds of deficiency and damage, and heal the five labors and seven injuries." "Ben Jing Du" also says: "Chinese yam can tonify the kidney and fill essence. When essence is sufficient, then yin is strong, vision is clear, and hearing is sharp. All superior grade medicines should be taken for a long time, for a lifetime if for long, or for several years if for short, to assist the nourishment of the five grains to achieve longevity." Therefore, it is advisable for those with kidney deficiency to often eat it.
Goji Berry
Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, it has the functions of tonifying the kidney and nourishing the liver, benefiting essence and brightening the eyes, strengthening the sinews and bones, relieving lower back pain, and long-term use can prolong life. It is especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly people with kidney deficiency. As recorded in "Ben Tong Xuan": "Goji berry, tonifies the kidney and benefits essence. When water is prosperous, the bones are strong, and diabetes, blurred vision,腰痛膝痛 will all be cured." "Ben Jing Shu" also says: "Goji berry is a key medicine for supplementing the true yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, and deficiency and internal heat from overwork. 70-80% of the elderly have yin deficiency, so it is the best product for nourishing essence and brightening the eyes for those who take it for health."
Cordyceps
Warm in nature, sweet in taste, it has the effect of tonifying the kidney and the lungs. It is a precious medicinal herb that gently tonifies both yin and yang. As "Ben Cong Xin" says it "protects the lungs and benefits the kidney." "Yao Xing Kao" also says: "Cordyceps secretes essence and qi, and specifically tonifies the gate of life." "Gan Yuan Xiao Shi" also says: "Soak a few in wine and eat them to treat pain between the腰膝, and it has the effect of benefiting the kidney." Although cordyceps is a tonic and strengthening Chinese medicine with few side effects, it is not often used directly in formulas. It is most suitable for those with kidney deficiency to use cordyceps with meats such as lean pork, chicken, or duck, or even fresh placenta, to make a nourishing food, which is more beneficial.
Eucommia
Warm in nature, sweet and slightly pungent in taste, it can tonify the liver and kidney, and strengthen the sinews and bones. It is most suitable for those with soreness and pain in the腰脊, weakness and powerlessness in the feet and knees, paralysis of the lower limbs in children due to kidney deficiency, and habitual miscarriage in women caused by kidney deficiency. Just as the Ming