Let me be frank with you all: after a man passes forty, his body is like an old house—leaking drafts here and letting rain in there. Climbing three flights of stairs makes his knees tremble, he feels drowsy staring at the computer during the day, his head buzzes when lying in bed at night, and what's even more embarrassing is when it comes to intimate moments with his partner, things just go limp right from the start. These aren't simply signs of being tired; in the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are warning bells ringing for insufficient kidney essence.

Our ancestors compared the kidneys to the "foundation of innate constitution," much like a mobile phone battery. When new, it can last two days at full charge, but over time, the battery drains quickly and can't be fully recharged. Kidney essence is even more precious. It governs whether bones are strong, the mind is sharp, and energy is abundant—even the darkness of one's hair is related to it. Take a look at some men in their early forties who already have graying temples—nine times out of ten, it’s due to deficiency of kidney essence.

Today, I’ll share a nourishing formula called the "Vitality-Boosting and Foundation-Strengthening Decoction." This formula emphasizes "nourishing while protecting, unblocking while consolidating":

The first tier uses deer antler paired with red ginseng—these two are the "golden duo" for replenishing qi and strengthening yang. Deer antler warms kidney yang like a small sun, while red ginseng energizes cells throughout the body. This is especially suitable for men who experience cold hands and feet in winter or break into a cold sweat easily.

The second tier employs dodder seeds paired with cordyceps—this combination acts like a "power bank" for the kidneys. Dodder seeds specifically address issues like frequent urination and nocturnal emissions, which are symptoms of "leaking essence," while cordyceps boosts immunity. This is particularly suitable for office workers who often stay up late, smoke, or drink.

The third echelon is Shashenzi paired with Jinyingzi, these two are the "goalkeepers" in the formula. Shashenzi can consolidate essence and reduce urination, while Jinyingzi specifically treats premature ejaculation and clear discharge, like putting a lock on kidney essence to prevent the replenished essence from leaking out again.

Finally, use Ma Bian Cao and Du Zhong to conclude. These two are the "street sweepers" for clearing and regulating qi and blood. Ma Bian Cao can invigorate blood circulation and resolve stasis, while Du Zhong strengthens tendons and bones. They are especially suitable for office workers who sit for long hours and suffer from low back pain and soreness.

However, I must remind everyone of three things: First, this formula is somewhat warm and tonifying, so those who are prone to heatiness and mouth sores should not use it hastily; second, do not drink it when you have a cold or fever, as it can trap the pathogen inside; third, the dosage of the formula should be adjusted according to your constitution. For example, those with weak spleen and stomach should add Chen Pi and Fu Ling, while those with liver fire should add some Chrysanthemum and Zhi Zi.

Ultimately, nourishing and tonifying is like farming: you must first loosen the soil (regulate the spleen and stomach) before applying fertilizer (tonify qi and blood), and finally prevent pests and diseases (expel dampness and pathogenic factors). Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment, using different formulas for different symptoms, so that the medicine can effectively address the illness. If you also have similar problems such as soreness and weakness in the waist and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, or poor erections that need analysis, type "1" in the comments section. I will help you analyze your tongue diagnosis based on syndrome differentiation and assist you as much as possible.