Avoiding common misconceptions about kidney tonification for men: Understanding the remarkable effects of the Yaoyangguan and Chize acupoints and the principles of moderate sexual activity.
When we mention Yaoyangguan, we might recall the poem, "I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for beyond Yangguan there are no old friends." Yangguan, located in Gansu, was the ancient gateway from the Central Plains to the Western Regions, holding immense military importance. Because it was located in the south, it was called Yangguan (meaning "Yang Pass"). A crucial pass opposite it was called Yumenguan (meaning "Jade Gate Pass"). Yumenguan was originally called Yinguan (meaning "Yin Pass"), echoing Yangguan from the north and south. Similarly, in the human body, there are two corresponding "passes": Guanyuan on the Ren meridian and Yaoyangguan on the Du meridian. Many people know Guanyuan, located on the abdomen. "Guan" means pass, and "Yuan" means primordial energy; Guanyuan is the point where primordial Yin and Yang intersect. Yaoyangguan is essentially the projection of Guanyuan on the back. "Yao" refers to its location on the waist; "Yang" refers to its location on the Du meridian, the sea of Yang meridians. Yaoyangguan is the intersection of primordial Yin and Yang on the Du meridian. This acupoint is extremely important in the human body, serving as a gateway for the flow of Yang energy.
The Yaoyangguan acupoint is located on the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, along the midline of the back. It is a specific acupoint for treating lower back ailments, especially acute sciatica and lumbar sprains, which are common in modern people. When experiencing lower back pain, lie down or prone and apply a hot towel or hot water bottle to the Yaoyangguan acupoint, keeping the area warm for 20 to 30 minutes each time. If suitable items are unavailable, massage can be used. Use your thumb to massage the Yaoyangguan acupoint in circular motions 100 times each time, which can effectively improve pain symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine divides the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae into three gates: the wind-cold gate, the qi and blood gate, and the cold gate. The Yaoyangguan acupoint is located at the fourth lumbar vertebra, precisely in the middle of the cold gate, which is also a crucial point for the flow of yang qi. Many elderly people often feel cold in their backs in winter, largely because the meridians in this area are blocked, preventing yang qi from rising. At this point, as long as the Yaoyang Gate is opened, the Yang energy will flow smoothly upwards, and all the problems will naturally be solved!
Chize (尺泽) acupoint, belonging to the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, is mentioned in the *Ling Shu* (灵枢) chapter "Ben Shu" (本输). Also known as Gui Shou (鬼受) or Gui Tang (鬼堂), it is the He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian. "He" (合) means convergence; when the meridian qi is abundant, it penetrates deep into the Lung Meridian and converges into the internal organs, much like rivers flowing into the sea. Chize is also an excellent point for tonifying the kidneys, tonifying them by lowering lung qi. It is most suitable for those with upper excess and lower deficiency, a constitution often seen in patients with hypertension. People with excessive liver fire, even without lung deficiency, who are often short-tempered but able to control their temper, often experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. In such cases, massaging the Chize acupoint on the Lung Meridian can be helpful. Chize is located in the depression on the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon at the elbow crease. Method: With the palm facing upward and the elbow slightly bent, locate the point on the radial side of the biceps brachii tendon at the elbow crease. Why is the Chize acupoint, often overlooked, related to the body's innate kidney qi? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the lungs belong to metal, and the kidneys belong to water, with metal generating water. Chize is a He-Sea point, belonging to water; sufficient lung qi can tonify the kidneys. Therefore, massaging the Chize acupoint can transfer excess energy from the lung meridian to the kidney meridian. As we all know, the lungs and heart are connected to the upper burner. If energy in this upper burner is stagnant, a person will feel something rising inside, manifesting as what is commonly called "restlessness and irritability," or more simply, "internal heat." If this is well controlled, there will be a strong craving for cold foods. At this time, it's crucial not to waste this precious "internal heat" energy; transforming it is an excellent way to tonify the kidneys. How to do it? Use your thumb to massage the Chize acupoint on the opposite arm, pressing until you feel a slight soreness and distension. Massage for 2 minutes. Then switch hands and continue massaging. Do this 3 times a day.
As people age, they often equate "middle age" with "kidney deficiency." Coupled with advertising claims like "nine out of ten men have kidney deficiency" and "fatigue is kidney deficiency," many middle-aged men struggling to make ends meet constantly feel they have kidney deficiency. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the "kidney" is not the same as the "kidney organ" in Western medicine. It is considered the "foundation of innate essence" and the "root of life," encompassing the functions of several systems in the body. The kidney stores essence, nourishes bone marrow and brain marrow, regulates reproductive and urinary functions, and plays a vital role in growth, development, and the life process. Because men lack necessary understanding of "kidney deficiency," they often mistakenly interpret it as "decreased sexual ability," equating it with erectile dysfunction (ED) in Western medicine, thus adding unnecessary psychological burden. In fact, men don't need to assume they have kidney deficiency; it's often caused by high psychological stress. Statistics show that a significant number of men who claim to have "kidney deficiency" don't actually have any symptoms. Even if they do, it doesn't necessarily mean decreased sexual function; it could be other symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, and palpitations. Therefore, the statement that "90% of Chinese men have kidney deficiency" is an exaggeration. As kidney deficiency is a decline in physiological function, men do not need to feel "ashamed" or "guilty".
While aging is inevitable, its process is manageable. Some people show signs of premature aging as soon as they enter their forties; others, though nearing sixty, remain vigorous. The key lies in the strength of their kidney qi. To maintain vigorous kidney qi, one should pay attention to balancing work and rest, moderating sexual activity, exercising regularly, treating chronic diseases promptly, and engaging in targeted tonification. The frequency of sexual activity varies from person to person. Generally, it is advisable to have sex until the next day without feeling fatigued and in a good mood. In terms of age, young couples should have sex 2-3 times a week, while middle-aged couples should have sex 1-2 times a week. Therefore, daily kidney care requires attention to moderation in sexual activity-neither forced nor excessive.
Modern people, especially young people, tend to be more open-minded and begin cohabiting and having sex at a young age. Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying, "Desire should not be premature," meaning that desire should not be premature. Excessive desire depletes essence (jing), and if a person's essence and blood are damaged, symptoms such as blurred vision, dull eyes, muscle wasting, and tooth loss may occur. Therefore, health preservation emphasizes nourishment, and the most important aspect of preserving essence and protecting the kidneys is moderation in sexual activity. For men, premature sexual activity depletes essence, which can severely damage their health in the future. Therefore, ancient health practitioners always emphasized the importance of rationality and control over one's body, including sexual desire; otherwise, one's essence will be dissipated due to lust, resulting in the loss of vital energy (yang qi).
In addition, to preserve one's vital energy and prevent excessive loss of yin essence, besides avoiding early sexual activity, one should also pay attention to seasonal changes during intercourse. The body's functional state changes accordingly with the seasons, and sexual function varies in intensity. Adjusting the frequency of sexual activity based on the season and the strength of sexual arousal can help prevent sexual dysfunction and maintain good health. The *Essentials of Nourishing Life* states: "In spring, ejaculate once every three days; in summer and autumn, once a month; in winter, abstain from ejaculation. Heaven stores its yang in winter; if people follow this, they can achieve longevity. One act of ejaculation in winter is equivalent to a hundred acts in spring." This suggests that sexual activity should be minimized in winter to preserve kidney yang essence. Spring, the season of growth and reproduction, is suitable for sexual activity every 3-4 days, while summer and autumn are suitable for 1-2 times a month. Although the saying "one act of sexual activity in winter is equivalent to a hundred acts in spring" is not scientifically sound, the lower winter temperature slows down metabolism and reduces libido. Accordingly, one should moderately restrain sexual activity and reduce its frequency to preserve kidney yang, retain essence and energy, and avoid depleting essence and blood.
A person's vital energy is finite, and it will inevitably be greatly depleted over many years of excessive sexual activity. While one might not feel any significant changes in their body within three to five years, once illness strikes, recovery becomes very difficult. Therefore, moderation is key in sexual activity. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, a person's blood and energy circulate through six meridians: Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin. One meridian is circulated daily, and all six meridians are circulated within six days. Therefore, even the mildest external pathogenic factors generally take seven days to heal. During sexual intercourse, palpitations, sweating, fever, and dizziness, along with the leakage of semen, damage the blood and energy of one meridian. Once a meridian is damaged, it must wait seven days for the blood and energy to circulate back to that meridian before recovery. If semen is ejaculated again before the seven-day period, the meridian's energy has not yet recovered, resulting in further damage. This leads to both external and internal deficiencies. If this continues without adhering to the principle of seven-day recovery, a multitude of illnesses will accumulate over time. In fact, improper sexual desires such as masturbation are the same; the leakage of semen damages one's vital energy and blood. Moreover, the delusions arising in one's mind accumulate over time, like a demonic obsession, making it difficult to escape such mental interference and torment. Indulging in sexual desire leads to endocrine disorders, weakened immune function, decreased resistance, abnormal metabolism, increased disease, and shortened lifespan. Many modern people do not understand how to follow the body's internal laws, do not know how to restrain and moderate their desires, and instead intensify them by following their urges. Although there may not be a moral issue between spouses, they should not indulge themselves either.