Erectile dysfunction according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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Erectile dysfunction can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like erectile dysfunction here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here erectile dysfunction is often associated with infertility, poor bone development and late closure of fontanelle in the pattern “Kidney Essence Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of erectile dysfunction we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat erectile dysfunction.
Kidney Essence Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause erectile dysfunction
In Chinese Medicine erectile dysfunction is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Essence Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Essence (Jing 精) Deficiency usually involves Deficiency of Kidney Yin and, to some extent, Kidney Yang. Its symptoms are typically in relation to growth, development, reproduction, sexuality, bones, marrow, the brain, teeth, memory and hair.
In addition to erectile dysfunction, other symptoms associated with Kidney Essence Deficiency include infertility, poor bone development and late closure of fontanelle.
Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Three herbal formulas that might help with erectile dysfunction
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with erectile dysfunction?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which poor sexual ability is a symptom.
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Strengthens the Essence.
Why might Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan help with erectile dysfunction?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which poor sexual ability is a symptom.
Tu Si Zi Wan
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions.
Why might Tu Si Zi Wan help with erectile dysfunction?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which poor sexual ability is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for erectile dysfunction
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat erectile dysfunction
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with erectile dysfunction?
Because Cuscuta Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erectile dysfunction as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with erectile dysfunction?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erectile dysfunction as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) help with erectile dysfunction?
Because Schisandra Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erectile dysfunction as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Schisandra Berries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen).
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with erectile dysfunction?
Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erectile dysfunction as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan for instance.
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Desert-Living Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) help with erectile dysfunction?
Because it is a key herb in Tu Si Zi Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' (a pattern with erectile dysfunction as a symptom)
Desert-Living Cistanches is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang, Restores Essence and Blood. Induces laxation.
Other symptoms often associated with erectile dysfunction
Infertility Irregular menstruation Painful period Late period Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal pain after childbirth Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Cold extremities Amenorrhea