Many people have spent a lot of money on nourishing the kidneys, but their physical condition remains the same—premature ejaculation is still premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction is still erectile dysfunction, with the problems not resolved at all. Clinically, this situation is commonly seen in three types of individuals.

First, let’s talk about the first type: men with kidney essence deficiency. Some young men do not know moderation, engage in excessive masturbation, and have frequent sexual activity. When they get older, they realize their essence chamber is depleted. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys govern the storage of essence. If kidney essence is deficient, the function of containment and storage becomes impaired. It’s like a warehouse door that cannot be tightly closed—things inside will leak out. Therefore, men of this type experience issues such as premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, weak erections, high sensitivity, and may also be accompanied by symptoms like tinnitus, blurred vision, premature graying of hair, and soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.

For this condition, the herbal pair of Fructus Rosae Laevigatae (Jinyingzi) and Semen Euryales (Qianshi) is quite effective. Fructus Rosae Laevigatae has a sour and astringent flavor; sourness and astringency have a consolidating effect, which can help retrieve and consolidate the essence of the kidneys that is leaking out, thus improving conditions of seminal emission. Semen Euryales is even more powerful; it not only strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness but also tonifies the kidneys and secures essence. The spleen is the foundation of postnatal health and the source of qi and blood production. By nourishing the spleen and ensuring sufficient qi and blood, the kidneys also receive nourishment. These two herbs work together—one consolidating and one tonifying—strengthening the kidney's ability to store essence from the root and replenishing the depleted kidney essence.

The second type of situation involves men with liver qi stagnation. Given the high-stress nature of modern life, many men are prone to emotional instability, frequently experiencing anxiety and depression. When these negative emotions accumulate over time, they can impair the liver's function of dispersion and regulation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver governs free flow and ensures the smooth movement of qi. When the liver fails to disperse properly, qi and blood circulation becomes obstructed, and the reproductive organs are deprived of the nourishment they need from qi and blood. This naturally leads to difficulties with erection, premature ejaculation, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as irritability, distending pain in the chest and flanks, dry mouth, and a bitter taste in the mouth.

At this point, the herbal pair of Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiangfu) and Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis (Foshou) can come into play, serving as a lifesaver for emotional stagnation. Rhizoma Cyperi has the ability to soothe the liver and relieve depression, acting like a key that swiftly unlocks the constrained liver qi. Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis not only assists Rhizoma Cyperi in soothing the liver but also harmonizes the spleen and stomach. When the spleen and stomach are functioning well, the production and circulation of qi and blood become smoother. Used together, these two herbs promote the free flow of liver qi, ensure the unobstructed movement of qi and blood, and allow the reproductive organs to receive proper nourishment, leading to a natural improvement in function.

The third type of situation involves men with damp-heat pouring downward. Some men overindulge in food and drink, preferring spicy and greasy foods, and often consume excessive alcohol and tobacco. These unhealthy habits damage the spleen and stomach, leading to the internal generation of dampness. When dampness accumulates in the body over time, it transforms into heat. The combination of dampness and heat descends to the lower burner, affecting reproductive function and causing symptoms such as impotence, premature ejaculation, dampness and itching in the scrotum, and unpleasant odors.

For this situation, pairing red adzuki beans with coix seed is very appropriate. Coix seed has the function of promoting urination and expelling dampness, helping to discharge excess water from the body through urine. Red adzuki beans are particularly effective in promoting urination, reducing swelling, detoxifying, and expelling pus, making them excellent for clearing damp-heat in the lower burner. Using these two herbs together can clear damp-heat from the body, addressing the issue of dampness at its root.

If you feel that you have these conditions, you might as well try these methods. However, it is best to first consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner for syndrome differentiation to see if your constitution is suitable for using them. This way, you can use them with greater peace of mind.