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.
Premature ejaculation 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 premature ejaculation 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 premature ejaculation is often associated with vaginal discharge, back pain and frequent urination in the pattern “Kidney Qi not Firm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause premature ejaculation.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of premature ejaculation 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 premature ejaculation.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause premature ejaculation
In Chinese Medicine premature ejaculation 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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi not Firm
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Qi not Firm means Kidney Qi Deficiency. Two characteristics are typical in this pattern. Firstly, it is a type of Kidney Yang Deficiency with the associated Cold symptoms. Secondly, it is a type of sinking of Kidneys Qi, thus with many ‘leaking’ downwards symptoms.
In addition to premature ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi not Firm include vaginal discharge, back pain and frequent urination.
Kidney Qi not Firm is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Characterised by frequent urination as the most distinguishing symptom. Kidney Qi Deficiency can be a precursor of Heart Qi Deficiency.
In addition to premature ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi Deficiency include back pain, tinnitus and frequent urination.
Kidney Qi Deficiency is often treated with Qing E Wan, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Eucommia Bark - Du Zhong - as a key herb). Qing E Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang".
Three herbal formulas that might help with premature ejaculation
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidneys. Binds up the semen.
Why might Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Qi Not Firm include vaginal discharge, back pain and frequent urination.
Qing E Wan
Why might Qing E Wan help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi Deficiency' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Qi Deficiency include back pain, tinnitus 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 premature ejaculation?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Qi Not Firm include vaginal discharge, back pain and frequent urination.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat premature ejaculation
Why might Lotus Seed (Lian Zi) help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat premature ejaculation and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat premature ejaculation as a symptom (such as Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan for instance).
Lotus Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrhea. Strengthens the Kidneys, reinforces Essence. Nourishes the Blood and calms the mind.
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat premature ejaculation and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat premature ejaculation 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 Milkvetch Seeds (Sha Yuan Zi) help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat premature ejaculation and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat premature ejaculation as a symptom (such as Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan for instance).
Milkvetch Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Consolidates Essence and semen. Strengthens vision.
Why might Foxnut Seed (Qian Shi) help with premature ejaculation?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat premature ejaculation and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat premature ejaculation as a symptom (such as Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan for instance).
Foxnut Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and stops diarrhea. Strengthens the Kidneys and restrains Essence. Dispels Dampness and relieves leukorrhea.
Why might Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) help with premature ejaculation?
Because Eucommia Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat premature ejaculation as a symptom, like Qing E Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Eucommia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus.
Other symptoms often associated with premature ejaculation
Spermatorrhea Urinary incontinence Diarrhea Enuresis Impaired vision Vaginal discharge Back pain Impotence Tinnitus Leukorrhea