There is a kidney on each side of the waist of a person, and various systems of the body rely on the kidneys, including the reproductive system, urinary system, nervous system, and more. The kidneys are fundamental to a person, like the roots of a tree. Just as strong roots lead to lush foliage, a healthy kidney leads to a healthier body. Men, as the pillars of their families, should understand the importance of nourishing their kidneys regularly to recharge them. However, many men may not know if they have kidney deficiency, so let’s learn more about it today.
In traditional Chinese medicine, kidney qi is an invisible force that can be seen as energy or vitality. When the body lacks this vital energy, it can lead to symptoms of kidney qi deficiency. If men do not take care of this condition for an extended period, they may experience symptoms such as weak lower back and knees, forgetfulness, insomnia, and in severe cases, even senile dementia.
Furthermore, there is kidney deficiency and kidney yang deficiency. If the body’s energy is likened to the sun, then kidney yang deficiency is akin to the sun being blocked by dark clouds, leaving the body feeling cool and damp due to the lack of sunlight. Prolonged kidney yang deficiency in men can lead to emotional weakness, feeling cold, aversion to cold, easy sweating, constipation, and a decline in physiological functions, resulting in a lackluster spirit.
For men to “recharge” their kidneys, they should remember three kidney-nourishing principles to energize their kidneys:
1. Rubbing the Lower Back:
Men can locate a depression on either side of the lower back, about three inches beside the fourth lumbar vertebra, known as the “lower back eyes.”
– Method 1: Sit upright on a stool, expose the skin around the lower back, rub both hands to warm them up, and place them on either side of the lower back. With tongue pressed against the palate, breathe evenly, contract the abdomen, and lift the perineum and anus. Rub downwards 100-300 times, and after rubbing, the entire lower back should feel warm, helping to regulate meridians, tonify the kidneys, and enhance kidney function.
– Method 2: Make a fist with both hands, place the thumbs at the base of the ring finger, and grip tightly with the remaining four fingers. Circularly massage the lower back eyes inwardly, 100-300 times each, aiming for a tingling sensation. This can be done once in the morning and evening.
2. Drink Plenty of Water:
During dry winter weather, the skin tends to dry out along with changes in the weather, which is not beneficial for kidney maintenance. Therefore, maintaining kidney health requires adequate hydration. Cultivating a habit of drinking water can boost kidney metabolism, reduce kidney burden, and promote kidney health.
3. Eat Kidney-Nourishing Foods:
According to traditional Chinese medicine, black foods nourish the kidneys. Hence, many black foods are favored by men, such as black beans, black rice, black mulberries, black sesame seeds, and black wolfberries.
In addition, some herbal plants also possess similar properties, like maca, Chinese yam, raspberries, epimedium, ginseng, polygonum, paired with wolfberries, mulberries, and jujubes. Combining these foods and brewing them into a tea like “Nine-Treasure Tea,” is more effective than consuming health supplements.
Ginseng’s primary function is to regulate kidney meridians and replenish vitality. People with kidney deficiency usually have poor spirits, and ginseng can help replenish vitality and improve mental alertness. Maca is known as the “number one plant” and acts as a natural “hormone engine” for men. Mulberries contain a large amount of anthocyanins and vitamins, which can nourish the liver and kidneys, regulate hormones, balance the organs, and enhance kidney qi…
Men can brew these natural herbal plants together, boosting their immunity, increasing vitality, replenishing the kidneys and liver, re-energizing the kidneys, and promoting kidney health.
Note: Images are sourced from the internet.
