Chinese Herbal Aphrodisiacs

In traditional Chinese medicine, one’s sexual health is connected with one’s kidneys. Yes, when you have kidneys that have weak chi circulation, then you’re definitely having sexual problems. Due to this, Chinese herbal medicines meant to cure your sexual dysfunction always target your kidney channels to improve its circulation. Your kidney chi and essence direct your sexual development and keep your libido healthy; improving the health of your kidneys often means increasing the health of your libido. Most Chinese herbal aphrodisiacs enhance sex drive and performance because they build kidney yin, kidney yang, and kidney Essence. More than that, they enhance immunity, energy, and stamina, giving them a profound impact on your overall health and longevity.

In China, vitality and sexual desire comes hand in hand. Without one, the other is useless. Due to this, they have come to great lengths discovering and perfecting their aphrodisiac recipes to generate and maximize its dual action; one for the strengthening of the body and health, the other for improvement of the lust and erection. Together equals overall vitality.

These herbs don’t act the same though. Some of them improve only the yin chi so they are recommended for those who are lacking in kidney yin, while others are rich in yang which is you know what, right?. And still, others give both yin and yang. These things should also create harmony within your chi system, just a balanced amount of yin and yang, because too much of the other will often lead to bad results and further problems. So don’t go taking all of them at once for faster and better improvement. It doesn’t work that way. Always consult with a practitioner of Chinese medicine near you.

Some of these herbs are indicated below:

Chinese Yam / Shan Yao (Dioscorea Opposita) - Used often as a tonic for the reproductive system. The dried white flesh of the tuber is sliced into long thin slabs, containing nutrients which can restore and enhance immune functions throughout the system. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies Chinese yam as neutral and sweet. It serves to tonify and augment the spleen and stomach; augment the lung yin and tonify the lung qi; and stabilize, tonify, and bind the kidneys. Chinese yam enters through the spleen, lung, and kidney channels (meridians). It is used as a tonic (restores tone to tissues). Chinese yam is used to treat weak digestion with fatigue and diarrhea, general weakness, frequent urination, decreased appetite, leukorrhagia (excessive vaginal discharge), premature ejaculation, the symptoms associated with diabetes, and chronic wheezing (whistling sound caused by breathing difficulty) and coughing.

Chinese ginseng / Rénshēn (Panax Ginseng) – It is a powerful herb for strengthening your chi and helping your body adapt to stress. It is used as a sexual tonic because of its modulating effects on your nervous system. If you are lethargic it can give you sexual energy, and if you are tense it can help you relax. Chinese ginseng contains compounds that may have effects on your body resembling those of certain sex and adrenal hormones. It does not act as an immediate sexual stimulant, but when taken long-term it can enhance your sexual vitality. It is usually used in combination with other herbal aphrodisiacs to increase sexual potency, kidney yang, and kidney Essence.

Fo-Ti-Tieng / Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) - Known as the elixir of long life, this herb has been used for over 2000 years in China to promote relaxation and improve memory, but has become popular as a powerful sexual stimulant. It is revered for its properties of rejuvenation and anti-aging that nourishes the blood, cleanses the liver and kidneys and enhances sexuality and fertility in both women and men. According to legend, it has the unique ability to return grey hair to its natural color. While there are no studies on this cosmetic ability, Polygonum, one of its alkaloids, has been shown to improve cognitive and several other functions in mice. It protects the heart tissue from oxidative damage, and has been determined to have surprisingly high estrogen activity, which may account for its reported sexually rejuvenating effects. The typical recommended dosage of this herb is 4-8 grams per day, which equals 4-8 ml of a (1:1) fluid extract. It may have a slight laxative effect, which can be reduced by lowering the dose. Modern research indicates that this herb contains an alkaloid that has a rejuvenating effect on the nerves, brain cells and endocrine glands.

Chinese Foxglove / Dìhuáng (Rehmannia, Rehmannia glutinosa) - Primarily referred to as "kidney's own food", it is believed to be a kidney tonic and longevity herb and is found in many common "anti-aging" formulations for longevity and rejuvenation. It is superb for nourishing your kidney yin and kidney Essence. Rehmannia is usually used in combination with other herbs to build Blood, and strengthen yin chi. As a women’s herb, it can enhance the female’s sexuality and draw chi and energy into their reproductive organs. Rehmannia is seldom prescribed as a single herb. One of the most popular Chinese herbal formulas containing rehmannia, along with other herbs for building kidney yin and kidney Essence, is Six Flavor Rehmannia Pills; the usual dose is eight pellets three times a day, depending on the type of product purchased.

Female Ginseng / Dong-quai (Angelica sinensis) - Also known as Chinese Angelica, it is primarily used in treating women's conditions such as loss of sexual desire and menopause. Women have discovered this 5,000-year-old tradition that naturally provides balancing and normalizing support for women's unique rhythms, cycles and body systems. However, it increases the effects of hormones in both men and women and is also widely used as an aphrodisiac. In Chinese medicine, Dong quai is most often used in combination with other herbs. Within the Chinese medical framework, Dong quai is used as a component of formulas for liver chi stasis and spleen deficiency. It is believed to work best in patients with a yin profile, and is considered to be a mildly warming herb. Dong quai is thought to return the body to proper order by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital energy. The name Dong quai translates as "return to order" based on its alleged restorative properties.

Horny Goat Weed / Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium) - The Chinese refer to this herb as 'yin yang huo', a 'lichentious goat plant'; hence, its common name is well known as 'horny goat weed' in many western cultures. According to legend, this plant’s aphrodisiac properties was discovered by a Chinese goat herder who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they ate the weed. Epimedium is considered to be the most powerful vegetarian sexual tonic in Chinese medicine. For women, it is best used in combination with herbs like rehmannia, which strengthen or tonify yin, because epimedium has strong kidney yang-building effects. It may possess male hormone-like actions and is believed to work by stimulating your nervous system, especially the nerves in your genitalia. This herb has also been found to decrease high blood pressure, but it will not affect blood pressure that is too low. In addition, epimedium has powerful immunity-boosting and immunity-regulating effects. In Chinese medicine, it is also used for promoting heath and longevity. Epimedium should not be used regularly by women who have an overactive sex drive, a high fever, or symptoms of kidney yin deficiency such as hot flashes, insomnia, or anxiety. It is sold as a health supplement, usually in raw herb or pill form and sometimes blended with other supplements.

Sarsaparilla / Hua Khao Yen (Smilax ornate) - The Chinese refer to this herb as 'khao yen' and believe strongly in its abilities to act as an aphrodisiac and a sexual stimulant. Sarsaparilla has been used worldwide for its systemic benefits, especially sexually. Traditionally, sarsparilla root is widely taken as a tonic for the male reproductive system, and in low mood and debility associated with the menopause. It is a cleansing remedy for skin and joint problems.

Chinese Dodder / Tusizi (Cuscuta Chinensis) - Is commonly used in long-term tonic programs. It is a gentle tonic for the kidney yin and yang and also helps nourish Chi. It helps the kidney to consolidate the Chi and is widely used to improve vision, nourish the sperm and marrow and strengthen bones and sinews and to strengthen sexual functions. Cuscuta seed is commonly used in tonic formulations designed to benefit yin and yang. It is most commonly used to strengthen the uro-genital functions such as impotence, premature ejaculation, frequent urination and leukorrhea as well as ear ringing and aching lower back, symptoms which often accompany deficient kidney conditions that cause sexual weakness.

Dendrobium / Shi Hu (D. loddigesii, D. fimbriatum, D. chrysanthum, D. officinale, D. candidum, and D. nobile) - This variety of Chinese orchid is an excellent and delicious Yin Jing tonic and longevity herb. It is said to quickly and effectively replace spent "adaptive energy" and is widely used by the orientals who engage in high sexual activity to replace the spent energy and to replace fluids; and thus it is commonly called "honeymooners tea." When combined with licorice root, it is also called "healer's tea," as it provides healing energy which can be transmitted to others and replace spent healing energy.

Caterpillar Fungus / Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps sinensis) - is one of the shining stars among Chinese herbal aphrodisiacs. It has been revered for thousands of years in the Orient, but has historically been very rare. As a result of modern growing techniques, it is now available to everyone at a fraction of its traditional cost. Cordyceps is used for the purposes of strengthening the primary kidney functions, which include sexual function, brain power, structural integrity and healing ability. In terms of sexual function, it builds your sexual energy over time by enhancing your kidney yang and replenishing your kidney yin. Because of its dual nature, expansive yet contractive, cordyceps is a perfect sexual tonic for women. It also has immunity-enhancing properties. In China, cordyceps is highly valued. Fortunately, it has become more readily available as a result of modern cultivation techniques. The recommended dose of cordyceps as a single herb is 500 milligrams two to three times a day. Refrain from using cordyceps if you have a fever.