Traditional Chinese acupressure massage has a long history and practical foundation for promoting health. In daily life, simple self-massage can be a good way to tonify the kidneys. For example, massaging the ear can effectively regulate kidney function. The method is simple: rub your hands together to warm them up, gently massage the earlobes for about three minutes, then continue to massage them meticulously with the thumb and index finger, followed by alternately pulling and stretching the upper part of the opposite earlobes with both hands, repeating this series of movements twelve to eighteen times, which helps improve kidney health.
The lower back is the “dwelling of the kidneys,” strengthening the Shenshu acupoint and Mingmen acupoint can effectively strengthen the lower back and kidneys. In practice, warm your hands, place them on each side of the Shenshu acupoint, then perform upward or downward/left or right massaging motions around the Mingmen acupoint and Shenshu acupoint, not only warming the lower back but also enhancing kidney function.
When it comes to the Dantian, the area in the abdomen is closely related to vitality, and regular massages can promote the harmony of the spleen, liver, and kidneys, enhancing overall health. In practice, cover the palm of your right hand over the “Qichong” acupoint outside the right pubic bone node, while the left hand makes circular motions centered around the belly button, helping to harmonize the body’s qi and blood.
The Yongquan acupoint, as an important point of the kidney meridian, massaging this area can calm the mind and promote the interaction of the heart and kidneys. The specific method is to rub both feet’s Yongquan acupoints alternately with the middle finger after warming both hands, until the soles feel warm, which helps activate the kidney meridian and promote whole-body circulation.
In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, various herbs are also renowned as excellent tonics for the kidneys. For example, goji berries, due to their rich nutritional value, are often used to regulate the liver and kidneys, improve vision, and relieve fatigue. Chewing goji berries directly is better than soaking them in water to fully utilize their nutrients, but moderation is needed to avoid over-nourishment. Deer antler is a preferred choice for enhancing constitution and improving kidney yang deficiency; Euryale seed, also known as the “water ginseng,” is good at tonifying the kidneys and securing essence, especially suitable for supplementing in summer and autumn. In addition, glossy privet fruit, dodder seed, epimedium, eucommia bark, Chinese yam, and polygonum multiflorum all have unique effects in tonifying the kidneys, benefiting essence, and strengthening the body, but their use should be based on individual constitution and specific conditions, preferably under the guidance of professionals.
