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.
Impotence 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 impotence 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 impotence is often associated with infertility, fatigue and frequent urination in the pattern “Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause impotence.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of impotence we’ve identified four 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 impotence.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause impotence
In Chinese Medicine impotence is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Yang Deficiency is an Empty-Cold condition characterized by Coldness and Deficiency. It can cause a general hypoactivity of Organ functions and Oedema. Qi and Blood is more likely to stagnate. Yang Deficiency is mostly related to Spleen Yang, Kidney Yang, Heart Yang or Lung Qi. It is a result of lack of activity or exercise, excessive sex, over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to impotence, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang include infertility, fatigue and frequent urination.
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang 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: "Tonifies Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to impotence, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include infertility, spermatorrhea and tinnitus.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang 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: "Tonifies Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to impotence, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency include diarrhea, premature ejaculation and lower back pain.
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency is often treated with Li Zhong Wan, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Li Zhong Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Middle Burner".
Four herbal formulas that might help with impotence
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with impotence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which impotence is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Yang Deficiency Or Empty Yang include infertility, fatigue and frequent urination.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with impotence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which impotence is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include infertility, spermatorrhea and tinnitus.
Li Zhong Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Li Zhong Wan help with impotence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which impotence is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney And Spleen Yang Deficiency include diarrhea, premature ejaculation and lower back pain.
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 impotence?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which impotence is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include infertility, spermatorrhea and tinnitus.
Acupuncture points used for impotence
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat impotence
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with impotence?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat impotence and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat impotence as a symptom (such as Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance).
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with impotence?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat impotence and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat impotence as a symptom (such as You Gui Wan for instance).
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Why might Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) help with impotence?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat impotence and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat impotence as a symptom (such as You Gui Wan for instance).
Deer Antler Glue is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Yang tonification of the Kidneys and Liver, and to nourish vital Essence and Blood
Why might Curculigo Rhizome (Xian Mao) help with impotence?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat impotence and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat impotence as a symptom (such as Er Xian Tang for instance).
Curculigo Rhizomes is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and treats Kidney Yang Deficiency patterns. Strengthens the bones and sinews. Clears Cold and Dampness.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with impotence?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat impotence and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat impotence as a symptom (such as Li Zhong Wan for instance).
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Other symptoms often associated with impotence
Infertility Spermatorrhea Diarrhea Tinnitus Fatigue Back pain Frequent urination Knee pain Urinary incontinence Dyspnea