Premature ejaculation according to Chinese Medicine

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 impotence, frequent urination and feeling of cold in the pattern “Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang”. As you will see below, we have in record four 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 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 premature ejaculation.

The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause premature ejaculation

In Chinese Medicine premature ejaculation is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.

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 premature ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang include impotence, frequent urination and feeling of cold.

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".

Read more about Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang here

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 frequent urination, tinnitus and back pain.

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".

Read more about Kidney Qi Deficiency here

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 premature ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include spermatorrhea, impotence and frequent urination.

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".

Read more about Kidney Yang Deficiency here

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 premature ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency include impotence, diarrhea 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".

Read more about Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency here

Five herbal formulas that might help with premature ejaculation

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 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.

Read more about You Gui Wan here

Qing E Wan

Source date: 1107

Number of ingredients: 3 herbs

Key actions: Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang.

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.

Read more about Qing E Wan here

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 premature ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.

Read more about Tu Si Zi Wan here

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 premature ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.

Read more about Ba Wei Di Huang Wan here

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 premature ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which premature ejaculation is a symptom.

Read more about Li Zhong Wan here

Acupuncture points used for premature ejaculation

The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat premature ejaculation

Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with premature ejaculation?

Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with premature ejaculation as a symptom)

Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.

Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.

Read more about Prepared Aconite here

Why might Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) help with premature ejaculation?

Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with premature ejaculation as a symptom)

Cinnamon Bark is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.

Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood.

Read more about Cinnamon Bark here

Why might Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) help with premature ejaculation?

Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with premature ejaculation as a symptom)

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

Read more about Deer Antler Glue here

Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with premature ejaculation?

Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with premature ejaculation as a symptom)

Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.

Read more about Prepared Rehmannia here

Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with premature ejaculation?

Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with premature ejaculation as a symptom)

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.

Read more about Cornelian Cherries here