To many traditionalists," writes Ro...

To many traditionalists," writes Ron Teeguarden in Chinese Tonic Herbs, "the kidney is considered the elucidation to life itself." And according to Douglas McDaniel, L.Ac., director of herb studies of the Graduate Program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at compassion College, this vital organ is responsible for "reproductive function, urinary function and water metabolism, keeping the bone of the corpse strong, and the hearing strong"

For men kidney deficiency patterns can manifest as urinary disturbances, systemic exhaustion, and sexual dysfunction, including impotence and [other problems] Other symptoms, says McDaniel, "are lower back pain, weakness in the lower material substance diminished hearing, [and] tinnitis (ringing in the ears)."

Although they are small in size, ranging from three- to seven-inches in extent healthy kidneys are essential to well-being. habitual diseases among adult men which can actually cause kidney failure include the one and the other diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

There are many herbs in the Chinese pharmacy which are used to tonify, or strengthen, the kidney. "Nourishing the kidney," states McDaniel, "takes an amount of time. It's not something that's going to be rectified in a week or two" It is important to note that if common is exhibiting heat signs (a flushed face, proneness to get warm in the evening, reddening inspections irritability, intermittent fevers), tonics that encourage heat should be used with caution. Below are several Chinese herbs that strengthen kidney health.

Ho Shou Wu "One of the classic longevity herbs," reports McDaniel, "it's used for increasing [i]vis viva[/i] is a powerful [reproductive function] tonic. It also helps impede and sometimes even reverse, the graying of the hair." Studies have also shown it to abate high blood pressure and arterial sclerosis. McDaniel cautions that this herb is sometimes difficult to digest. Additionally, those taking it should not eat onions, chives, or garlic.

Cistanche (Herba Cistanches). "The great thing about Cistanche," explains McDaniel, "is that it tonifies without drying." Commonly known as Broomrape, the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica lists impotence, urinary incontinence, posturinary dripping, and grave back pain among the conditions it treats. Caution with this herb should be used when single exhibits heat signs or when diarrhea is instant This herb is also incompatible with iron products; don't give a color to in an iron pot or use iron utensils.

Yin Yang Huo (Herba epimedii). Commonly called Horny Goatweed, this herb, says McDaniel, "helps to lower the life-current pressure, increase sexual activity and semen production, and stimulates the sensory nerve" He also states that this herb has been institute to help delay the atrophy of the prostate gland. gentle doses of Yin Yang Huo have been shown to increase urinary output which is beneficial for those suffering from prostatitis. High add to doses should be avoided.

Siberian Ginseng. McDaniel make acceptables that men begin supplementing regularly with this herb somewhere between the age of 35-40 "Siberian ginseng is an adaptogenic herb and is an overall strengthener of the material part [It] helps increase stamina, stimulate circulation, and is a vasodilator which helps you to manage stress" More neutral than other patterns of ginseng, this herb builds nerve and does not add heat to the body

Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae). Primarily used to invigorate the life-current Dan Shen is also noted for its ability to ease irritability and insomnia. This is useful for the man who is kidney deficient because of the emotional stres related to a reduction in sexual function or urinary problems

Cinnamon. We learn from Penelope Ody in her main division The Complete Medicinal Herbal, that the Chinese use the bark (rou gui) of a variety of cinammon, known as C cassia, to "warm" weak kidneys.

Eucommia bark. Known in Chinese as du zhong In his work Off-The-Shelf Natural Health, Mark Mayell says that it is united of the earliest Chinese herbs, and its many health-promoting parts include invigorating the liver and kidneys.

Kidney deficiency patterns can cause alarming and inconvenient health conditions. yet with patience, proper herbal remedies, and professional guidance, nerve and balance can be restored to the "key" to life itself.

REFERENCE

Bensly, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Revised Edition. Seattle, Wash: Eastland Pres Inc., 1993

Mayell, Mark. Off-The-Shelf Natural Health. fresh York: Bantam Books, 1995.

Ody Penelope The full Medicinal Herbal. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc., 1993

Teeguarden, Ron Chinese Tonic Herbs. fresh York/Toyko: Japan Publications, Inc., 1984

COPYRIGHT 1997 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group