Foods that people with kidney deficiency should eat more of include: sesame seeds, cowpeas, millet, and dog meat.

103. Foods that people with kidney deficiency should consume more of

Sufficient kidney qi leads to good health and vitality; deficient kidney qi can cause functional problems in various systems of the body, leading to a variety of diseases such as sexual dysfunction, lower back pain, anemia, osteoporosis, and urinary incontinence. Therefore, middle-aged men with low sexual function due to kidney deficiency should take appropriate measures to nourish their kidneys.

While low libido isn't solely caused by kidney deficiency, it can certainly contribute to male sexual dysfunction. So, how can middle-aged men experiencing low libido due to kidney deficiency replenish their kidneys? Here are some foods that are remarkably effective for relieving kidney deficiency.

Sesame

Sesame seeds are sweet and neutral in nature, and have the effect of nourishing the five internal organs and tonifying the liver and kidneys. As recorded in "Ben Cao Jing Shu", "Sesame seeds are neither cold nor hot, and have a mild flavor. They are an excellent grain for tonifying the liver and kidneys." In particular, they are most suitable for those who suffer from kidney deficiency, resulting in dry hair, dizziness, tinnitus, lower back pain, weak legs, constipation, and premature graying of hair.

cowpea

Also known as long beans or rice beans. They have a sweet taste and neutral properties, and can nourish the kidneys and strengthen the spleen. Besides being suitable for those with spleen deficiency, they are also beneficial for those with kidney deficiency. They are especially suitable for those suffering from kidney deficiency-related thirst, leukorrhea, seminal emission, or frequent urination. The Compendium of Materia Medica records that "cowpeas nourish the kidneys and strengthen the stomach, regulate the middle burner and replenish qi, and generate essence." The Sichuan Materia Medica also states that it can "strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourish yin and tonify the kidneys, and treat leukorrhea and seminal emission due to kidney deficiency."

millet

Also known as barley or millet. It can replenish kidney qi. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty said: "Millet is the grain of the kidney. People with kidney disease should eat it. Eating it as porridge can benefit the dantian and replenish deficiencies."

dog meat

Dog meat, salty in taste and warm in nature, not only has the effect of tonifying the middle and replenishing qi, but also warms the kidneys and invigorates yang. Therefore, it is most suitable for those with weak or cold lower back and knees, or those with insufficient kidney yang. The *Rihuazi Materia Medica* states that dog meat "tonifies stomach qi, strengthens yang, benefits qi function, replenishes deficiency, and warms the lower back and knees." The *Medical Essentials* also says, "Dog meat strengthens kidney qi and replenishes lung qi." Zhang Lu, a physician of the Qing Dynasty, also said, "Dog meat is most suitable for those with deficiency of the lower jiao." Those with deficiency of the lower jiao refer to those with weakened kidney yang and declining mingmen fire.

Beef bone marrow

Beef bone marrow is beneficial for nourishing the marrow, tonifying the kidneys, and moistening the lungs. The Compendium of Materia Medica states that it can "beautify the complexion, moisten the skin, and nourish the lungs and kidneys." It is especially suitable for those with deficiency of essence and blood, and those who are weak and emaciated due to kidney deficiency.

pig kidney

Pig kidneys are salty in taste and neutral in nature. Meng Shen of the Tang Dynasty believed that pig kidneys "treat kidney deficiency." The *Rihuazi Materia Medica* states that it "treats deafness and nourishes the kidneys." Therefore, those suffering from night sweats, seminal emission, and lower back pain due to kidney deficiency should eat pig kidneys regularly.

Lamb bones

Lamb bones, sweet in taste and warm in nature, can nourish the kidneys and strengthen muscles and bones. The *Yinshan Zhengyao* states that "lamb tailbone benefits the kidneys and improves eyesight, replenishing deficiency and coldness in the lower abdomen." The *Compendium of Materia Medica* records that "lamb spine bones unblock the Du meridian, replenish bone deficiency, and treat lower back pain and diarrhea; lamb tibia bones treat spleen weakness, kidney deficiency leading to inability to retain essence, and leukorrhea." It is most suitable for those suffering from weakness and coldness in the lower back and knees, kidney deficiency and fatigue, and muscle and bone pain.

sea ​​bass

Sea bass, also known as perch or spotted sea bass, is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It can nourish the liver and kidneys, as well as the spleen and stomach, and strengthen muscles and bones. The *Ben Cao Jing Shu* records: "Sea bass, with its sweet and bland taste and neutral nature, is suitable for the spleen and stomach. The liver governs the tendons, and the kidneys govern the bones. Its flavor belongs to Yin, ultimately benefiting the Yin Qi of these two organs, thus strengthening muscles and bones." The *Jia Gu Ben Cao* states: "Sea bass is beneficial when eaten in large quantities, especially when cooked as a tortoise shell." It is suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach, or those with liver and kidney Yin deficiency.

Dried scallops

Dried scallops, also known as Jiangyao scallops, have a sweet and salty taste and are neutral in nature. They can nourish the kidneys and replenish yin, so people with kidney yin deficiency should eat them regularly. Wang Mengying, a food physician in the Qing Dynasty, believed that "dried scallops nourish the kidneys in the same way as mussels."

Mulberries

Mulberries are cold in nature and sweet in taste, and have the effects of nourishing yin, benefiting the kidneys, and tonifying the liver. As stated in "Diannan Materia Medica", "Mulberries strengthen the essence and benefit the kidneys, and long-term consumption can darken hair and improve eyesight." Wang Mengying of the Qing Dynasty also said, "Mulberries strengthen the legs, replenish blood, and nourish the liver and kidneys." Therefore, they are most suitable for people with kidney deficiency, especially those with insufficient kidney yin.

Influenced by traditional habits, when men experience sexual dysfunction, especially the common erectile dysfunction, they naturally assume it's due to kidney deficiency and constantly take tonics or health supplements to invigorate their kidneys. In fact, this is a misconception. Sexual dysfunction has many causes, not just kidney deficiency. Men should avoid the misconception of "blindly tonifying the kidneys," seek timely medical diagnosis and treatment, and receive appropriate medication based on the specific cause.