Understanding Erectile Dysfunction: What Causes It, and Can Herbs Help?
Erectile dysfunction (ED), commonly known as impotence, refers to a man's inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this condition is often linked to emotional distress, liver and gallbladder heat with dampness, or kidney deficiency, which can lead to weakened reproductive function. In clinical practice, several natural remedies have been traditionally used that may help improve symptoms.
Seriously Effective Remedies—5 Traditional Recipes Men Still Swear By
1. Male Silkworm Moth Powder with Alcohol – For Kidney Deficiency
Ingredients:
- 20 male silkworm moths
- 30g white liquor (such as rice wine)
Instructions:
Select live male silkworm moths and roast them until dry. Grind into a fine powder. Take 3 grams, mixed with a small amount of white liquor, once in the morning and once at night. Continue for at least two weeks.
Note: Avoid consuming radishes while using this remedy. This formula is especially suitable for those with ED caused by kidney deficiency.
2. Snow Lotus Wine Infusion – Gently Warming for the Weak
Ingredients:
- 90g snow lotus flower
- Enough white liquor to cover
Instructions:
Soak snow lotus petals in white liquor, seal tightly, and shake the bottle a few times daily. Let steep for 7 days before use. Drink around 15ml before bedtime. Do not exceed 50ml at a time.
Warning: Not suitable for individuals with heat and dampness in the lower body. Best for ED linked to kidney yang deficiency.
3. Stir-Fried Garlic Chives and Shrimp – Boost Blood Flow, Tastes Great
Ingredients:
- 180g fresh garlic chives
- 240g fresh shrimp
- Cooking oil, MSG, and salt to taste
Instructions:
Cut garlic chives into 3cm pieces. Peel and clean shrimp. Heat cooking oil in a pan, then add chopped chives and shrimp. Stir-fry briskly, add flavorings and serve hot.
Tip: This dish may be even more effective when served with medicinal wine for enhanced blood flow and kidney warming.
4. Cordyceps and Yellow Sparrow Stew – A Potent Tonic Soup
Ingredients:
- 6g cordyceps
- 2g fresh ginger
- 12 yellow sparrows
Instructions:
Clean the sparrows and cut into pieces. Combine with cordyceps and ginger slices in a clay pot. Add appropriate water and stew for 2–3 hours, until meat is tender. Eat both the meat and broth throughout the day.
Suitable For: Men experiencing both yin and yang kidney deficiency.
Warning: Avoid this recipe if you have signs of internal damp-heat.
5. Three-Herb Pork Soup – Gentle Detox and Kidney Support
Ingredients:
- 60g Senecio (Qian Li Guang)
- 30g Snake-back herb (She Dao Tui)
- 15g Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
- 100g lean pork
Instructions:
Decoction: Boil the herbs in water, then remove the herbs and keep the liquid. Use the herbal broth to stew pork until tender. Eat the meat and drink the soup morning and evening for 3–5 days.
Alternate Tip: If you can’t eat fatty meat, substitute with lean meat.
Note: Long-term use of some herbs (like Ginkgo seeds) requires removal of the inner embryo and should be moderately consumed.
How It All Connects—The TCM Angle and Modern Research
From TCM’s standpoint, nourishing and balancing the kidneys, removing excess dampness, and regulating qi and blood are key to improving male performance. Interestingly, several modern studies now validate the efficacy of herbs long used in Chinese medicine.
- Studies have shown cordyceps may improve testosterone and libido levels in men (PMID: 20090349).
- Snow lotus in small doses has antioxidative and adaptogenic properties helpful in sexual function (PMID: 27198520).
- Ginger has been studied for improving vascular health, an essential factor in combating ED (PMID: 26466891).
One-Click Check + Quick Fix Combo You Can Start Tonight
If → you’ve been fatigued, low-libido, or waking often at night →
try Recipe #1 now with a small glass of rice wine.
If → you feel dry mouth, pulses are rapid, and you have warm hands often →
avoid Recipe #2 and choose Recipe #5 with lean meat.
If → you're unsure what suits your body type →
mix Recipe #3 into your next dinner and monitor response over 3 days.
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
