Loss of libido 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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Loss of libido 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 loss of libido 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 loss of libido is often associated with feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools in the pattern “Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause loss of libido.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of loss of libido we’ve identified five 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 loss of libido.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause loss of libido
In Chinese Medicine loss of libido is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
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".
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 loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with loss of libido
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 loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
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 loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which decreased libido is a symptom.
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 loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which decreased libido is a symptom.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which decreased libido is a symptom.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which decreased libido is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for loss of libido
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat loss of libido
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with loss of libido?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang or Wen Jing Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with loss of libido?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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).
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with loss of libido?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang 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 Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with loss of libido?
Because Cuscuta Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido 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 Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with loss of libido?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi 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.
Other symptoms often associated with loss of libido
Feeling of cold Lassitude Loose stools Fatigue Insomnia Feeling of guilt Palpitations Lower back pain Cold and weak knees Weak legs