Dietary Therapy Methods for Male Hyposexuality

Low sexual desire refers to a type of sexual dysfunction characterized by the absence of a desire for sexual intercourse under sexual stimulation, indifference to sexual thoughts, and difficulty in achieving penile erection. However, some believe that low sexual desire merely indicates indifference to sexual thoughts and does not impede penile erection.

Sexual desire can vary due to factors such as age, personality, mental state, physical health, living environment, marital relationship, sexual education received, and life experiences. Therefore, there is no strict standard to determine whether an individual has low sexual desire. Generally, assessment can be made based on the patient’s sexual history, understanding changes in sexuality, and the intensity of sexual desire.

I. Causes of Low Libido

1.Insufficient secretion of sex hormones

Human sexual desire is mainly regulated by sex hormones. Therefore, whether physiological or pathological, any cause that leads to insufficient secretion of sex hormones can result in low sexual desire or even a lack of sexual desire. For example, testicular hypoplasia, hypothyroidism, and pituitary gland wellness can all lead to low sexual desire.

2. Psychological factors

The most common patients with low libido are primarily psychogenic. For instance, individuals may lose interest in sexual intercourse due to depression; long-term work-related stress can suppress sexual excitement; intense mental stimulation and excessive worry can also contribute; misconceptions about sexual behavior, such as believing it to be the most shameful act or harmful to health; experiencing trauma in sexual history, such as being humiliated; and emotional discord between spouses, among other mental and ideological factors, can all lead to low libido.

3.Suffering from chronic debilitating wellness

Chronic debilitating wellness such as Addison’s wellness, Liver cirrhosis, and malnutrition can lead to low libido. In addition, spinal cord dysfunction caused by masturbation or frequent sexual intercourse can also often result in low libido. During wellness, overuse of certain medications, such as drugs acting on the central nervous system and hypnotic sedatives: barbiturates, amphetamines, propranolol; hormonal drugs: adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosteroids, estrogens, etc.; anticholinergic drugs: tricyclic antidepressants, atropine, probanthine, and other antispasmodics; anti-adrenergic drugs: guanethidine, methyldopa, and serpentine alkaloids, etc., can also cause low libido.

4. TCM understanding of the etiology of low sexual desire

In traditional Chinese medicine, low libido is most closely related to the Liver and Kidneys. The Kidneys store genuine yin and genuine yang and govern reproduction. When Kidney yang is deficient and the vital fire is insufficient, it fails to provide warmth; when Kidney yin is depleted and unable to nourish, low libido and sexual indifference may occur. The Liver stores blood, governs planning, and controls the sinews. Blood deficiency leading to malnourishment of the Liver meridians, or emotional stagnation causing Liver qi depression, where the child organ (Liver) depletes the mother organ (Kidney), can also result in low libido.

II. Syndrome Differentiation and Dietary Therapy

1.Decline of Kidney yang and insufficiency of vital fire

Individuals with a constitution of yang deficiency, or due to prolonged wellness, or excessive sexual activity, may experience yin depletion affecting yang, resulting in insufficient yang to warm and nourish, leaving the body lacking vitality. signs of imbalance include decreased libido, aversion to sexual activity, accompanied by soreness and weakness in the lower back and legs, pale complexion, cold intolerance with cold limbs, or damp scrotum, or fatigue and lack of strength, or impotence and premature ejaculation, pale and swollen tongue, and deep and slow pulse. The supports principle is to warm the Kidney and strengthen yang, and one can consume lobster wine.

Formula and Preparation Method: 1 pair of fresh giant prawns, 250 milliliters of 60-proof white liquor. First, wash the prawns thoroughly, place them in a wide-mouthed bottle or porcelain jar, then add the white liquor and seal it. Allow it to soak for one week before consumption. An appropriate amount of the liquor can be consumed daily, or it can be taken with meals.

In the formula, freshwater shrimp is sweet in taste and warm in nature, capable of tonifying the Kidney and strengthening yang. When consumed with wine, it can supports low libido caused by Kidney yang deficiency.

For patients with more severe conditions, Dragonfly Decoction can also be selected. Formula and preparation method: 4 dragonflies, 15 grams each of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (cynomorium herb) and Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma (desertliving cistanche). Remove the wings and feet of the dragonflies, lightly stir-fry them, and then add Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. and Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma to decoct into a soup. Take it once a day for 10 consecutive days.

The dragonfly in the formula has a slightly cold odor and is non-toxic. According to Compendium of Materia Medica, it can strengthen yin, arrest seminal emission, invigorate yang, and warm the Kidney. When combined with Cistanche Deserticola (Rou Cong Rong) and Cynomorium Songaricum Rupr. (Suo Yang) to nourish the Kidney and replenish essence, as well as soften the Liver and strengthen tendons, the formula yields reliable effects when taken.

In addition, one can also choose to consume dietary therapy prescriptions that warm the Kidney and strengthen yang.

2.Kidney Yin Deficiency

Individuals with a constitutional Yin Deficiency, or those suffering from prolonged wellness, the five types of labor and seven types of injury, or those engaging in excessive sexual activity, may all suffer from Kidney Yin Deficiency. signs of imbalance include indifference to sexual desire, dizziness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the waist and legs, five-center heat, bone-steaming tidal fever, red tongue, and thin and rapid pulse. The supports should focus on nourishing Kidney yin, with a small amount of yang-warming herbs, and Fresh Milk Jade Liquid can be selected.

Combination and Preparation Method: 60 grams of round-grained rice, 80 grams of fried walnut kernels, 45 grams of raw walnut kernels, 200 grams of milk, and 12 grams of white granulated sugar. First, wash the round-grained rice, soak it in water for 1 hour, then lift it out, drain off the water, and blend it evenly with the raw walnut kernels, fried walnut kernels, milk, and clean water.

Strain it through gauze to obtain the liquid and set it aside; pour clean water into a pot and boil it, add white granulated sugar, and filter it after it has dissolved. Slowly pour the two kinds of filtered liquids into the pot, stir them evenly, and boil them. It can be consumed at will.

In the formula, japonica rice and milk strengthen the Spleen and benefit the stomach, nourish yin and replenish deficiency, while walnut kernels are used to tonify the Kidneys and boost yang. The entire formula nourishes both yin and yang and takes into account both the Spleen and Kidneys. It can not only supports low libido but also strengthen the body and promote longevity.

In addition, one can also choose food therapy prescriptions that nourish yin and replenish essence for consumption.

3.Liver Qi Stagnation

Individuals with a constitutional blood deficiency fail to nourish the Liver with blood or may experience Liver Qi Stagnation due to poor emotional well-being. When meridians are obstructed, this can lead to reduced libido, often accompanied by aversion to sexual activity, along with signs of imbalance such as a distending sensation in the chest and hypochondrium, silent disinterest in food, frequent sighing, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, a dark tongue proper, and a wiry pulse. supports should focus on nourishing the blood to soften the Liver and regulating Liver qi. The recommended supports is Zhugan Hehuan Decoction for consumption.

Formula and Preparation Method: 10 grams of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Finger Citron), 10 grams of Albizia julibrissin flower (20 grams if fresh), and 150 grams of fresh pork stomach. First, place the Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis and Albizia julibrissin flower in a bowl, add water, and soak for 1 hour, then remove them. Slice the pork stomach and put all ingredients into a steaming bowl. Add a small amount of refined salt, cooking wine, green onion, and ginger. Steam in a pot over water until cooked, then remove and discard the Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis and Albizia julibrissin flower. Add a small amount of green onion, ginger, and sesame oil, mix well, and serve.

In the formula, fingered citron can regulate qi and harmonize the middle-jiao, soothe the Liver and helps with occasional depression; silk tree flower, with its fragrance, can helps with occasional depression and disperse qi, harmonize the middle-jiao and stimulate appetite. When used together, they have the strongest effect in soothing the Liver and relieving depression. Pig Liver nourishes the Liver and benefits the blood. The entire formula is dispersing without being drying and nourishing without being greasy, making it just right for supports low sexual desire caused by stagnated Liver qi.

One can also consume pork Kidney cooked with rose.

III. External Folk and Proven Prescriptions

In the New Compilation of Proven Prescriptions, there is a prescription named Dinggong Xianzhen Formula. It is said that after sleeping on it for a hundred days, it can replenish essence and benefit the Kidneys, dredge the meridians, invigorate the spirit, and supports men’s mental fatigue, low libido, poor appetite, and soreness and weakness in the waist and knees.

Prescription: Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper), Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower root), Broussonetia papyrifera fruit, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Atractylodes macrocephala (white atractylodes rhizome), Platycladus orientalis seed (oriental arborvitae seed), Mentha haplocalyx (field mint), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia bark), Evodia rutaecarpa (Tetradium ruticarpum, evodia fruit), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome), Citrus aurantium (immature bitter orange), Alpinia oxyphylla (sharp-leaf galangal fruit), Aconitum carmichaelii (monkshood root), Veratrum nigrum (black false hellebore), Angelica sinensis (Chinese angelica), Notopterygium incisum (incised notopterygium rhizome), Saposhnikovia divaricata (divaricate saposhnikovia root), Homalomena occulta (homalomena rhizome), Magnolia biondii (biond magnolia flower), Angelica dahurica (dahurian angelica root), Acanthopanax gracilistylus (Siberian ginseng bark), Aconitum carmichaelii var. praeparatum (prepared monkshood root), Paeonia lactiflora (white peony root), Cistanche deserticola (desertliving cistanche), Ligusticum sinense (Chinese lovage), Ulmus macrocarpa (large-fruited elm), Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum (Manchurian wild ginger), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice root), Schizonepeta tenuifolia (fineleaf schizonepeta herb), Gleditsia sinensis (Chinese honeylocust spine), Chrysanthemum morifolium (flos chrysanthemi), Eucommia ulmoides (eucommia bark), Lindera aggregata (lindera root), Pinellia ternata (pinellia tuber), 30 grams each. Make into one medicinal pillow.For sleeping.