Spontaneous ejaculation according to Chinese Medicine

spermatorrhea redirects here

Spontaneous 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 spontaneous 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 spontaneous ejaculation is often associated with frequent urination, fatigue and loose stools in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause spontaneous ejaculation.

Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of spontaneous 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 spontaneous ejaculation.

The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause spontaneous ejaculation

In Chinese Medicine spontaneous 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.

Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency

Qi Deficiency

Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)

Tongue color: Pale

Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.

In addition to spontaneous ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include frequent urination, fatigue and loose stools.

From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.

Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".

Read more about Qi Deficiency here

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 spontaneous ejaculation, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi not Firm include enuresis, premature ejaculation 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".

Read more about Kidney Qi not Firm here

Five herbal formulas that might help with spontaneous ejaculation

Si Jun Zi Tang

Source date: 1107 AD

Number of ingredients: 4 herbs

Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.

Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which spermatorrhea is a symptom.

Read more about Si Jun Zi Tang here

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 spontaneous ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which spermatorrhoea is a symptom.

Read more about You Gui 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 spontaneous ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which spermatorrhoea is a symptom.

Read more about Tu Si Zi Wan here

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 spontaneous ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which spermatorrhoea is a symptom.

Read more about Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan here

Fu Tu Dan

Source date: 1107 AD

Number of ingredients: 5 herbs

Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidney Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Stops leakage.

Why might Fu Tu Dan help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi not Firm' of which spermatorrhoea is a symptom.

Read more about Fu Tu Dan here

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

Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous ejaculation as a symptom, like Fu Tu Dan 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.

Read more about Yam here

Why might Lotus Seed (Lian Zi) help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because Lotus Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous ejaculation as a symptom, like Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan or Fu Tu Dan for instance.

Lotus Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrhea. Strengthens the Kidneys, reinforces Essence. Nourishes the Blood and calms the mind.

Read more about Lotus Seeds here

Why might Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because Eucommia Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous 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.

Read more about Eucommia Bark here

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

Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous ejaculation as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.

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 Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) help with spontaneous ejaculation?

Because Schisandra Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous ejaculation as a symptom, like Fu Tu Dan 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).

Read more about Schisandra Berries here