Valentine’s Day is here! I’ll bet you didn’t know that the Chinese Medicine secret to a good love life is having strong Kidney Qi. In Western medicine, the Kidneys are only seen as mechanical organs that perform the important functions of removing waste products and regulating fluid levels in the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the Kidneys are a vital source of energy or Qi for the body. This is especially true for reproductive health. Kidney tonics are a common herbal recommendation to enhance libido and sexual performance.
Having plentiful Kidney Qi also enables us to age gracefully; it prevents illness and helps maintain the health of our teeth, bones and hair. Sounds like the fountain of youth, doesn’t it? So, in addition to herbal formulas or tonics, what can you do to boost your Kidney Qi?
Here Are 4 Easy Tips:
1. Get good sleep regularly – Your body repairs itself best at night, so allow plenty of time for it to do so.
2. Stay hydrated – The Kidneys are associated with the Water element. Drink plenty of water but eliminate the ice. For years, I have been doing this, strongly advise my patients to do the same, and have successfully converted my family members to ice-free drinks. In traditional Chinese Medicine, the constant use of ice in drinks is a harmful custom because bodies need the internal heat to absorb the nutrients. Ice, when ingested, constricts blood vessels and hinders the digestive process.
3. Eat Kidney friendly foods – Goji berries, Raspberries, Cherries. Green onions, Black beans, Sweet potato, herbs such as: Basil, Fennel, Garlic, and Ginger; Shrimp, Lamb, and Walnuts.
4. Show yourself or your loved one some appreciation with an acupuncture treatment – Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs are wonderful for strengthening your Kidney Qi.
Jennifer Dubowsky, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in downtown Chicago, Illinois, since 2002. Dubowsky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of Illinois in Chicago and her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. During her studies, she completed an internship at the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China. Dubowsky has researched and written articles on Chinese medicine and has given talks on the topic. She maintains a popular blog about health and Chinese medicine at Acupuncture Blog Chicago. Adventures in Chinese Medicine is her first book. You can find her at www.tcm007.com.
