The wisdom of protecting kidneys through food and medicine: chicken liver, Achyranthes bidentata, plant seeds, and five kidney-tonifying drinks.

Among the many foods believed to have aphrodisiac properties, chicken liver is a common and easily overlooked ingredient. The Compendium of Materia Medica records that chicken liver is "sweet and bitter in taste." Li Shizhen noted its slight toxicity. Its proven effects include calming the nerves, tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang, and treating abdominal pain. In other words, chicken liver is an excellent tonic for replenishing qi and nourishing the body. Here's a kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening recipe using chicken liver as the main ingredient: Cinnamon Stewed Chicken Liver. The specific preparation method is as follows: First, prepare 2 grams of cinnamon, 2 chicken livers, 3 slices of ginger, and a little Shaoxing wine. Wash the chicken livers and place them in a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of water, a few slices of ginger, and a suitable amount of Shaoxing wine. Then, wash the cinnamon and place it in the stewing pot, cover the pot, and stew for about 2 hours. Season to taste before serving. This soup is effective in treating kidney deficiency and lower back pain, and invigorating the kidneys and strengthening yang. However, it should be noted that because this soup contains cinnamon, its pungent, hot, and slightly drying properties can help to enhance the effects of chicken liver, but it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Men's health is not just about sexual function; it also concerns the liver, kidneys, and lower back and knees. The health of the lower back and knees is closely related to kidney health, and consequently, to sexual well-being. The fast pace of modern life, excessive stress, and unhealthy habits all place a heavy burden on the lower back and knees. When men feel fatigued and experience weakness and soreness in their lower back and knees, they should pay attention, as this is a manifestation of liver and kidney deficiency. In fact, this symptom is not only troubling modern men; similar conditions existed in ancient times. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, the seeds of a plant introduced from the Western Regions were highly effective in treating male kidney deficiency, and it has been cultivated for over 1000 years. Furthermore, the market demand for it is increasing year by year. This is the highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine: Huai Niu Xi (菡牛膝). Huai Niu Xi gets its name from its appearance; because its stem has ridges that resemble the kneecap of a cow, it is called "Niu Xi" (牛膝). Due to its long history and widespread use, it is recorded in many ancient medical books. Achyranthes bidentata can be used raw or processed with wine. Raw Achyranthes bidentata has the effect of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. Achyranthes bidentata used to make wine has always been considered a good medicine for tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening the waist and knees. This is recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica: "Achyranthes bidentata can tonify the liver and kidneys when processed with wine, and can remove stagnant blood when used raw."

In addition, we recommend a medicinal diet here, whose main ingredients are Achyranthes bidentata and Eucommia ulmoides, called Eucommia ulmoides and Achyranthes bidentata Pork Spine Soup. The specific method for making this soup is as follows: Prepare 30 grams of Eucommia ulmoides, 15 grams of Achyranthes bidentata, 500 grams of pork spine, and 4 red dates. First, wash the Eucommia ulmoides, Achyranthes bidentata, and red dates (remove pits). Chop the pork spine into pieces and blanch it in boiling water to remove blood. Then, put all the ingredients into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours. Season to taste. This soup has the effect of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening muscles and bones. It is important to note that when consuming Achyranthes bidentata, those with spleen deficiency, nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, excessive menstruation, and pregnant women should avoid it. Not only has ancient medicine recognized the efficacy of Achyranthes bidentata, but modern medical research has also made many discoveries. Achyranthes bidentata contains various polysaccharides and various nutrients beneficial to the human body. In addition to improving liver and kidney function, it also helps lower plasma cholesterol, improve immunity, and has anti-tumor effects.

In the ancient Chinese medical text *She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang* (薩生众妙方), there is a formula called "Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan" (五子衍宗丸), composed of the seeds of five plants: wolfberry, dodder seed, schisandra fruit, raspberry, and plantain seed. This traditional Chinese medicine is now readily available in most pharmacies. Originally used to treat male kidney deficiency, low sperm count, impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, and cold sperm, it was later expanded to treat frequent urination, bedwetting, nocturia, and drooling. Its therapeutic principle is essentially to replenish kidney qi and enhance the body's yang qi. Why do plant seeds have the effect of strengthening yang and tonifying the kidneys? According to experts, for plants, seeds store energy for a budding life, representing the most concentrated energy source within the plant. Therefore, using seed-based medicines to treat kidney qi deficiency is indeed reasonable. The establishment of the concept that plant seeds can strengthen yang is of great significance for the health and longevity of modern people. Especially for vegetarians, consuming various dried fruits and seeds, such as peanuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts, can replenish kidney qi and stimulate vitality. In addition, the concept of plant seeds as aphrodisiacs is also significant for those who do mental work. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the brain and kidneys are interconnected, hence the saying "tonifying the kidneys is tonifying the brain." Furthermore, the brain consumes a great deal of energy during work, directly depleting the kidney's vital energy (qi), easily leading to kidney deficiency. In this case, adding nuts to breakfast daily, or eating one or two walnuts or six or seven almonds daily, can have excellent kidney-tonifying effects, thereby improving brain function and even delaying aging. Furthermore, the aphrodisiac effects of leek seeds should not be overlooked. Leek seeds are pungent and sweet in flavor, warm in nature, and enter the liver and kidney meridians. They can tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen yang, and consolidate essence, suitable for impotence, seminal emission, lower back and knee pain, frequent urination, enuresis, and excessive vaginal discharge caused by liver and kidney deficiency, kidney yang deficiency, and weak kidney qi. Leek seeds can be taken alone or ground into powder and made into honey pills, with a recommended dosage of 5-10 grams each time. However, it should be noted that those with yin deficiency and excessive fire should avoid taking them. Additionally, I would like to recommend a medicinal diet based on leek seeds-leek porridge. Prepare 10 grams of leek seeds, 50 grams of japonica rice, and a pinch of salt. Simmer the leek seeds until cooked, then combine them with the japonica rice and a pinch of salt in a clay pot with 500 ml of water. Cook until the rice is tender and the porridge is done. Take twice daily while warm. This formula has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang, consolidating essence and stopping seminal emission, and strengthening the spleen and warming the stomach.

Kidney tonification is very popular now, and there are many methods. However, if we're talking about dietary supplements, drinking soups, porridges, and wines is better because these are more easily absorbed by the body. Here are a few convenient and practical kidney tonification recipes: 1. Ginseng and Walnut Drink. Ingredients: 5 grams of ginseng, 3 walnut kernels. Preparation: Slice the ginseng and break the walnut kernels into pieces the size of broad beans. Put both in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and simmer for 1 hour. Efficacy: Can be taken as a tea substitute for a long time. This drink has the effect of invigorating qi and strengthening the kidneys. It is often used for symptoms such as dizziness, forgetfulness, tinnitus, insomnia, premature graying of hair, fatigue, excessive sweating, and shortness of breath caused by kidney qi deficiency. 2. Lingzhi, Ginseng, and Goji Berry Wine. Ingredients: 50 grams of lingzhi, 30 grams of ginseng (American ginseng, cultivated ginseng, or sun-dried ginseng are all acceptable), 50 grams of goji berries, 100 grams of rock sugar, and 500 ml of white wine. Preparation: Wash and thinly slice Ganoderma lucidum, slice ginseng, and wash goji berries. Place them in a wine jar, add rock sugar and white wine, seal the jar, and soak for 15 days. Efficacy: Take 10 ml twice daily; can be consumed long-term. This wine is effective in invigorating qi and kidneys, and anti-aging. It is suitable for those with premature graying of hair, insomnia, forgetfulness, lower back pain, tinnitus, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue due to kidney deficiency. 3. Goji Berry and Lotus Seed Porridge. Ingredients: 30g goji berries, 50g lotus seeds, 100g fresh yam, and appropriate amount of white sugar. Preparation: Peel and slice the fresh yam; wash the goji berries and lotus seeds; add the above three ingredients to an appropriate amount of water and simmer over low heat until it becomes porridge. Add sugar to taste. Efficacy: Take warm twice daily, morning and evening; can be consumed long-term. Regularly drinking goji berry and lotus seed porridge can invigorate the kidneys and spleen, nourish the heart and calm the mind. This porridge is suitable for those with spleen and kidney deficiency leading to forgetfulness, insomnia, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. 4. Polygonum multiflorum and Turtle Soup – Nourishing Yin and Tonifying the Kidneys. Ingredients: One turtle, 30g prepared Polygonum multiflorum, 15g mulberry fruit, 15g Eclipta prostrata, 15g privet fruit, appropriate amount of scallions, ginger, and salt. Preparation: Clean the turtle by gutting it, removing the intestines and other internal organs, blanch it in boiling water to remove blood, remove the inner skin, and chop it into 2cm square pieces. Wash the prepared Polygonum multiflorum, mulberry fruit, Eclipta prostrata, and privet fruit, then place them in a gauze bag and tie it tightly. Place the turtle meat, shell, herb bag, appropriate amount of scallions and ginger slices into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Efficacy: Eating the meat and drinking the soup regularly can nourish Yin and tonify the kidneys. It is suitable for symptoms such as chloasma, obesity, dizziness, tinnitus, lower back and leg weakness, irritability, etc., caused by kidney Yang deficiency. 5. Fresh Chestnut and Chicken Soup. Ingredients: Half a chicken (about 500g), 500g fresh chestnut meat, 30g shiitake mushrooms, 2 slices of ginger. Preparation: Blanch the fresh chestnut meat in boiling water, soak briefly, then remove the skin; soak the shiitake mushrooms in water until soft, remove the stems, and wash; wash the chicken and chop it into pieces; put the chicken, chestnuts, and ginger slices into a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Add the shiitake mushrooms and simmer for another 20 minutes. Season to taste and serve. Benefits: Consume both the meat and the soup. This soup has the effects of invigorating qi and nourishing blood, nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys. It is suitable for those with poor appetite, fatigue, weak spleen and stomach, emaciation due to liver and kidney deficiency, general weakness, and chronic bronchitis in the elderly.