Is erectile dysfunction (ED) always a sign of kidney deficiency? Not necessarily. A 2005 nationwide survey in China involving more than 2,000 men from 18 provinces revealed a surprising truth: over half of the patients with ED didnβt suffer from deficiency syndromes, but rather from types of βexcessβ body constitutions.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 51.02% to 55.30% of ED patients had excess-type constitutionsβspecifically stagnation of Qi, damp-heat, phlegm-dampness, or blood stasis types. In contrast, only 27.44% to 31.14% presented with deficiency-types like yang or yin deficiency. Understanding your body type is the first step to targeted and effective dietary therapy.
1. For Easily Anxious Guys β The Qi Stagnation Type
Recognizing Qi-Stagnation Body Type
Men with this constitution are often slim, emotionally sensitive, and quick to feel anxious or down. They're prone to sighing without reason, feel tightness or a stuffy sensation in the chest, and frequently report throat discomfort like a "lump-in-the-throat" feeling. Insomnia is common.
What to Eat
Focus on foods that boost Qi circulation and ease emotions: daylily flowers, seaweed, hawthorn, and rose petals are all great choices.
TCM-Inspired Dish: Dried Tangerine Peel Porridge
Cook 60g of polished rice until almost done; add 10g of dried tangerine peel and simmer for another 10 minutes. This soothing porridge supports digestion and relieves bloatingβideal for men dealing with ED alongside poor appetite and abdominal discomfort.
Safety note: Always use food-safe, pesticide-free rose petals for consumption. Avoid long-term intake of strong-flavored herbs without professional supervision.
2. For Overheated, Irritable Men β The Damp-Heat Type
Recognizing Damp-Heat Body Type
This type is often oily-skinned, prone to acne, bad breath, and experiences sticky bowel movements. Urine may feel hot or look yellow, and the scrotal area is usually moist or sweaty.
What to Eat
Stick to a light, cooling diet: red beans, mung beans, celery, cucumbers, and lotus root. Avoid lamb, leeks, pepper, hot pot, and deep-fried dishes, as they increase internal heat.
TCM-Inspired Dish: Lotus-Stuffed Mung Beans
Soak 50g mung beans for 4 hours. Peel and hollow out a thick lotus root, then stuff the beans inside. Steam until fully tender, season lightly with salt. This combo helps detox the bodyβgreat for those with itchy skin, dry mouth, or blurry vision connected to ED.
3. For Heavyset, Sluggish Men β The Phlegm-Damp Type
Recognizing Phlegm-Damp Body Type
These men tend to be overweight, especially around the belly, and often feel sticky or sweaty. Symptoms include sluggishness, dizziness, mucous buildup in the throat, and a thick tongue coating.
What to Eat
Choose light, refreshing foods like lotus leaves, seaweed, winter melon, coix seeds, red beans, and hyacinth beans. Limit greasy, sugary, and fatty items.
TCM-Inspired Dish: Yam & Winter Melon Soup
Slice 50g of fresh Chinese yam and 150g winter melon, simmer them together for 30 minutes. Add salt to taste. This soup strengthens digestion, eliminates excess moisture, and can help with fatigue and low libido linked to phlegm-dampness.
4. For Moody, Easily Bruised Men β The Blood Stasis Type
Recognizing Blood Stasis Body Type
Men with this type often have dark lips, coarse skin, and visible blood vessels under the tongue. They bruise easily without noticing, have red veins in the eyes, and might bleed from the gums while brushing.
What to Eat
Go for foods that improve circulation: hawthorn, vinegar, kumquats, peach kernels, and black fungus. Avoid rich, greasy dishes which can worsen blood stagnation.
TCM-Inspired Dish: Black Bean & Chuanxiong Congee
Wrap 10g of Chuanxiong in a cheesecloth bag. Simmer it with 25g black beans and 50g polished rice until soft. Stir in 15g brown sugar and serve warm. This dish promotes blood flowβrecommended for men with ED plus headaches or chest pain symptoms.
Safety Tips: Be mindful not to consume blood-activating herbs like Chuanxiong long-term without guidance. Always consult a TCM expert if combining with medications like anticoagulants.
TCM emphasizes personalized care; we recommend consulting a qualified practitioner to determine your exact body type before starting any herbal treatment or food therapy.
Qi & emotional imbalance can influence erectile dysfunction: (PMID: 19422192)
Body constitutions affect disease susceptibility, including ED: (PMID: 31546693)
Chinese dietary therapy modulates internal balance and vitality: (PMID: 32041284)
Real Quick β Try This βED Body Type Testβ & 30-sec Fix
*If you often feel bloated and depressed β eat Orange Peel Porridge for 1 week to improve digestion and libido.*
*If you wake up sweaty and have stinky breath β go for Lotus-Stuffed Mung Bean for cooling relief.*
*If you feel tired, oily, and puffy β sip Yam & Winter Melon Soup post-lunch for lightness and energy.*
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.