Good kidney health not only contributes to a healthy body, but also enhances one's quality of life. Many people are in the habit of using certain ingredients or herbs to make infused water for kidney health. So, what are some good ingredients for making kidney-boosting infused water?
Recommended Ingredients for Kidney-Boosting Infused Water
1. Goji Berry Infused Water for Kidney Health
According to traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries have a sweet and neutral taste. They are believed to nourish the kidneys, benefit the essence, nourish the liver, improve vision, nourish the blood, calm the mind, generate fluids, and relieve thirst. Goji berries are commonly used to treat liver and kidney deficiencies, as well as insufficient essence and blood.
Instructions:
To make goji berry infused water, take 20-30 grams of goji berries and steep them in boiling water. Cover and let it steep for 10-20 minutes before drinking. You can reuse the goji berries for a couple more times before consuming them. Chewing the goji berries directly helps with better absorption of their nutrients.
2. Chinese Chives Seed Infused Water for Kidney Health
Chinese chives seeds, also known as chive seeds, have the function of nourishing the liver and kidneys, warming the waist and knees, assisting in yang energy, and solidifying essence. They are mainly used to treat conditions such as impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, bedwetting, frequent urination, sore and weak waist and knees, cold pain, and excessive vaginal discharge. Chinese chives seeds contain a large amount of vitamins and dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, treat constipation, and prevent colon cancer.
Instructions:
Mix 4 parts of Chinese chives seeds with 1 part of green tea, and add an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Put them together in a tea cup, pour boiling water over them, and let it steep. This preparation has the effects of nourishing the heart, benefiting the kidneys, and solidifying essence. For better results, it can be consumed along with Shensiting. It is suitable for conditions such as sexual insufficiency and mental stress.
3. Longan Infused Water for Kidney Health
Longan, also known as "dragon eye," has the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys. Due to its high sugar content and direct absorption of glucose by the human body, longan is beneficial for the weak, anemic, elderly, and those with chronic illness. Longan is naturally warm, and consuming it directly may easily cause internal heat. The solution is to make infused water with longan.
Instructions:
Steam 5 to 10 pieces of longan meat, and then steep them in boiling water. This preparation has the effects of nourishing the heart and spleen, replenishing qi and blood, and calming the mind. It is a good tonic and can promote longevity when consumed regularly.
4. Cistanche Infused Water for Kidney Health
Cistanche, also known as "desert ginseng," is a highly valued medicinal herb commonly used in kidney-tonifying prescriptions. According to the ancient Chinese book "Shennong Ben Cao Jing," cistanche can "nourish the five viscera, strengthen yin, and tonify essence and qi, making one feel light and youthful." The famous Tang Dynasty physician Zhen Quan also believed that it "nourishes the marrow, enhances complexion, and prolongs life." These statements indicate that cistanche is a precious herb that can slow down aging.
Instructions:
Take 15 grams of cistanche and boil it in water to make tea. You can add a small amount of honey to adjust the taste. It is important to note that cistanche has a laxative effect, so it is not suitable for those who have frequent loose stools.
5. Epimedium Infused Water for Kidney Health
Epimedium, also known as "horny goat weed," is a herb mentioned in the ancient Chinese book "Shennong Ben Cao Jing." It is the dried whole herb of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim or Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim. It has a pungent and sweet taste and a warm property. It enters the liver and kidney meridians and has the functions of tonifying the kidneys and enhancing yang energy, enhancing libido, dispelling wind, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as impotence, premature ejaculation, weak waist and limbs, and frequent urination. It is often combined with cistanche, Eucommia, and gecko to maximize its effects.
Instructions:
Making epimedium tea is also very simple. Take 10 grams of epimedium and steep it in 350 grams of water. Let it simmer for 20 minutes. This preparation has the effects of nourishing yin and yang, solidifying essence, and reducing urination. It is commonly used to treat male infertility and low sexual function.
6. Polygonum Multiflorum Infused Water for Kidney Health
Polygonum multiflorum, also known as "he shou wu," has a mild and bitter taste. When taken internally, it has a good kidney-tonifying effect and can also darken hair and promote longevity. The famous physician Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty said, "Polygonum multiflorum can nourish the blood and liver, tonify essence, nourish the kidneys, strengthen the tendons and bones, and darken the hair. It is a good tonic that surpasses other herbs such as rehmannia and dong quai."
Instructions:
Take 9 grams of Polygonum multiflorum and steep it in boiling water to make tea. This preparation has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, nourishing essence and blood, darkening hair, and improving complexion. Long-term consumption can strengthen tendons and bones, nourish the essence and marrow, and promote longevity. It is a great tonic for strength, beauty, and longevity.
7. Dodder Seed Infused Water for Kidney Health
Dodder seed, derived from the dried whole herb of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It has the functions of tonifying the kidneys and nourishing the essence, nourishing the liver and kidneys, improving vision, and promoting blood circulation. It can be used to treat conditions such as sore and weak waist and knees, nocturnal emissions, diabetes, urinary incontinence, dark vision, and blurred vision. Modern research has shown that dodder seed contains substances similar to sugar and vitamin A, and animal experiments have shown that it has the effects of contracting the uterus and diuretic.
Instructions:
Take 12 grams of dodder seed, 3 grams of green tea, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Crush the dodder seed, put it together with the green tea and rock sugar in a tea cup, and steep them with boiling water. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. This preparation has the effects of nourishing yin, enhancing yang, solidifying essence, and reducing urination. It is commonly used to treat male infertility and low sexual function.
8. Dog Ridge Infused Water for Kidney Health
Dog ridge refers to the ridge of a dog's back, hence the name. According to traditional Chinese medicine, "like treats like," just as walnut kernels resemble the brain and can nourish the brain and calm the mind, dog ridge can nourish the kidneys and strengthen the bones.
Instructions:
Take 20 grams of dog ridge. Grind it into a fine powder and put it in a thermos. Pour boiling water over it and let it steep for 20 minutes. Drink it as tea once a day. This preparation is mainly used to treat weak liver and kidneys, insufficient qi and blood, accompanied by rheumatic pain in the waist and spine, weak legs, etc.
9. Eucommia Infused Water for Kidney Health
Eucommia, also known as "du zhong," has a warm taste and a slightly spicy flavor. It has the functions of tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening tendons and bones. Eucommia tea made from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. leaves has multiple effects, including nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening tendons and bones, reducing blood pressure, and promoting pregnancy. As the famous Ming Dynasty physician Miao Xiyong explained, "Eucommia is mainly used for waist and spine pain, tonifying essence and qi, strengthening tendons and bones, and relieving leg pain. The waist is the residence of the kidneys. If it moves excessively, the kidneys will become exhausted. Eucommia supplements what is lacking and nourishes the kidneys."
Instructions:
Take 5 grams of Eucommia leaves and 5 grams of high-quality oolong tea. Steep them in boiling water, cover, and let it steep for 5 minutes before drinking. Drink it once a day. This tea has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, strengthening tendons and bones, and reducing blood pressure.
10. Mulberry Mistletoe Infused Water for Kidney Health
Mulberry mistletoe, also known as "guang ji sheng," is a well-known authentic medicinal herb in southern China, also known as "guang ji sheng." It was already listed as a top-grade herb in the ancient Chinese book "Shennong Ben Cao Jing." It has the functions of nourishing blood and liver, tonifying kidneys, dispelling wind and dampness, and promoting lactation and breast enhancement. It enters the liver and kidney meridians and has a neutral taste that is both sweet and bitter.
Regarding the nutritional value and potential risks of animal organs, it is important to have a scientific understanding. Although animal organs have unique nutritional components, they also contain heavy metals such as cadmium, which can cause infertility in men. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when consuming animal organs.
12. Five-Flavor Fruit Infused Water for Kidney Health
In the ancient Chinese book "Shennong Ben Cao Jing," five-flavor fruit was listed as a top-grade herb. It has a sweet and sour taste, and its whole fruit contains all five flavors, hence the name "five-flavor fruit." It has a warm property that is not drying. Besides having astringent and tonifying effects, it also has the functions of replenishing qi, nourishing essence, calming the mind, nourishing the kidneys, and promoting longevity. Ancient physicians believed that five-flavor fruit contains the essence of the five elements and can rejuvenate and prolong life when consumed regularly.
Instructions:
Take 30 grams of five-flavor fruit and add an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Steep the five-flavor fruit in boiling water, cover, and let it steep for 30 minutes. Drink it twice a day. This tea can nourish the heart, calm the mind, tonify the liver and kidneys, nourish essence and blood, and solidify essence and urine. It is commonly used to treat male impotence, weak sexual function, and other conditions.
Recommended Kidney-Boosting Herbal Tea Recipes
1. Suoyang Kidney-Boosting Tea
Tea Recipe: Suoyang, Dangshen, Raspberry, and Chinese Yam, each 5 grams.
Instructions: Cut suoyang, dangshen, and Chinese yam into small pieces, put them in a pot, and boil them to make a decoction. Remove the residue and set aside the liquid.
Usage: Drink it as tea, adding boiling water as you drink. Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.
Benefits: Mainly used for kidney yang deficiency, impotence, and weak essence due to kidney leakage.
2. Cistanche and Eucommia Tea
Tea Recipe: Renshen 5g, Eucommia 3g, Cistanche 3g, Five-Flavor Fruit 3g, and Xuduan 3g, Red Tea 5g.
Instructions: Steep the ingredients in 400 grams of boiled water to make tea. Drink it until the taste becomes light.
Benefits: Tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens tendons and bones, lowers blood pressure, and promotes pregnancy.
3. Horny Goat Weed Tea
Tea Recipe: Horny Goat Weed 5g, Red Tea 3g.
Instructions: Steep the ingredients in 200ml of boiled water and drink it until the taste becomes light.
Benefits: Tonifies the kidneys, enhances yang energy, improves libido, relieves cough, resolves phlegm, relieves asthma, and reduces blood pressure. It is used for male impotence, premature ejaculation, weak waist and limbs, rheumatic pain, etc.
4. Shan Yu and Cinnamon Kidney-Boosting Tea
Tea Recipe: Shan Yu 5g, Cinnamon 3g.
Instructions: Cut the cinnamon into small pieces, put it together with Shan Yu in a container, and boil it. When it is hot, pour it over the Shan Yu and cinnamon mixture, cover, and let it steep for 20 minutes. Remove the residue and set aside the liquid.
Usage: Drink it as tea, adding boiling water as you drink. Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.
Benefits: Helps with kidney yang deficiency, impotence, and weak waist and limbs.
5. Eucommia and Mulberry Tea for Kidney Health
Tea Recipe: Eucommia, Mulberry, Five-Flavor Fruit, Goji Berry, each 5g.
Instructions: Crush the five-flavor fruit, cut Eucommia into small pieces, and combine them with the other ingredients in a container. Boil them with water and filter the combined decoction. Pour it into a thermos and drink it frequently.
Usage: Drink it as tea, adding boiling water as you drink. Take one dose in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Benefits: Can tonify the liver and kidneys, nourish essence and blood, and improve sexual function.
6. San Yuan Zi Tea
First, crush San Yuan Zi. Then, mix it with green tea at a ratio of 4:1 and put it in a tea cup. Steep it in boiling water for about 15 minutes before drinking. This preparation has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, astringing essence, and stopping nocturnal emissions. It is suitable for conditions such as fatigue, sore waist and knees, etc.
Precautions for Drinking Herbal Tea
1. Choose suitable water
To ensure the effectiveness of herbal tea, it is important to choose suitable water. In general, soft and light water is recommended for making tea. The famous Tang Dynasty book "Lu Yu's Classic of Tea" states: "For water, mountain spring water is the best, followed by river water, and well water is the worst." Studies have shown that tap water contains more bleach, so it is better to store it overnight or boil it for an extended period of time.
2. Follow proper methods for preparing herbal tea
There are three main methods for preparing herbal tea: steeping, decocting, and blending.
① Steeping: This method involves placing the ingredients in a tea cup and pouring boiling water over them. Cover and let it steep for a certain period of time. The tea should be consumed when the taste is light.
② Decocting: This method is used for complex herbal teas with multiple ingredients that cannot fit in a tea cup, or for herbs with thick flavors that are not easily extracted. The herbs are boiled multiple times, and the decoction is combined and filtered before being stored in a thermos for frequent consumption.
③ Blending: This method is used for herbal tea powders. The powder is mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste that can be consumed. Examples include Ba Xian Cha, etc.
3. Different herbal teas should be consumed at different times
The choice of when to consume herbal tea should be based on the nature of the tea and the condition of the individual.
For sweating and releasing the exterior, it is recommended to drink the tea warm and once, without restrictions on the timing. Sweating should only be done lightly, and excessive sweating should be avoided to prevent exhaustion.
For nourishing teas, it is best to consume them before meals to ensure optimal absorption. Teas with stimulating effects on the gastrointestinal tract should be consumed after meals to reduce irritation.
For purgative teas, it is best to consume them on an empty stomach in the morning to ensure optimal absorption. It is important to monitor the number and characteristics of bowel movements after consuming the tea. If there are too many bowel movements, it is advisable to eat a cold gruel to stop them.
For calming teas, it is best to consume them before bedtime.
For preventive teas, it is recommended to choose them according to the season.
For teas used for long-term health maintenance and the treatment of chronic diseases, it is important to have a regular and persistent routine.
4. Be mindful of dietary restrictions when consuming herbal tea
In clinical practice, in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of herbal tea, in addition to being aware of the "nineteen fears" and "eighteen contraindications" of Chinese herbs, attention should also be paid to dietary restrictions when consuming herbal tea.
For teas that induce sweating, it is advisable to avoid raw, cold, and sour foods. For teas that stop coughing and relieve asthma, it is advisable to avoid fish and shrimp.
For teas that clear heat and detoxify, it is advisable to avoid greasy, spicy, and fishy foods.
For teas that regulate qi and reduce bloating, it is advisable to avoid beans and sweet potatoes.
Natural Ways to Boost Kidney Health for Men
1. Exercise is the Best Way to Boost Male Sexual Stamina
While women rely on skincare, men rely on exercise. Regular physical activity not only promotes a healthy physique and abundant energy, but also increases the oxygen content in the body and enhances the secretion of testosterone in the testicles, making it the best supplement for the male reproductive system. This internal strengthening effect far surpasses any health supplement, making exercise the best way to boost male sexual stamina. It is recommended to engage in intense physical activity at least twice a week, such as playing sports, running, strength training, etc. After sweating profusely, the body and mind can experience complete relaxation, leading to enhanced sexual performance. In addition to exercise, incorporating the following methods can be even more effective.
2. Walking on Tiptoes
There is a saying, "Take a hundred steps after a meal, and you will live to be 99 years old." Walking more than a hundred steps after a meal can have a positive effect on longevity. For middle-aged men with weak sexual function, walking on tiptoes after a meal can yield good results in less than half a month.
When walking on tiptoes, the forefoot is exerting force, more specifically, the inner side of the forefoot and the big toe are providing support. The inner side of the foot contains three meridians, namely, the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Therefore, walking on tiptoes can massage the three yin meridians, guide qi upwards, warm and nourish kidney yang, and improve sexual function.
3. Rubbing the Kidney Eye
The kidney eye is located in the depression 3.5 inches below the lower side of the third lumbar spinous process. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney eye is located in the "belt meridian" and is the area where the kidneys are located. The kidneys prefer warmth and dislike cold. Regularly rubbing the kidney eye can warm and nourish kidney yang, promote smooth qi and blood circulation. It can also improve sexual function and promote longevity. Rubbing the kidney eye with warm palms or a ridged surface, or applying pressure with your fingertips or knuckles, until a slight soreness and warmth is felt, can have a positive effect on kidney yang nourishment and longevity.
4. Quality Sleep to Nourish the Kidneys
Adequate sleep plays an important role in the biochemical processes of qi and blood, as well as the maintenance of kidney essence. Many patients with kidney dysfunction have a history of staying up late, excessive fatigue, and insufficient sleep. Therefore, it is important to avoid staying up late, develop good sleep habits, go to bed and wake up early, and maintain optimal kidney health.
Sleeping position has different effects on health. The best sleeping position for men is supine with legs apart, while prone and lateral positions may have adverse effects on male reproductive organs.
5. Cold and Hot Water Alternating Baths
This is an ancient method to enhance male sexual function. When using alternating hot and cold water baths, it is best to maintain a certain room temperature to prevent catching a cold. After sufficiently warming up in the bathtub, expose the genital area to cold water for about 3 minutes. This will cause the penis and scrotum to contract. Then, re-enter the bathtub. Repeat this process 3-5 times before ending the bath. If you can do this "alternating bath" every day, it can greatly enhance male sexual energy, strength, and reduce fatigue.
6. Foods for Kidney Health
There are many foods that are believed to boost kidney health, such as oysters, chili peppers, chocolate, truffles, Chinese chives, pigeon meat, and donkey meat. However, many of these claims are not scientifically proven and may not have significant effects.
It is worth noting that many people enjoy eating lamb "kidneys" during barbecue. Combining this with the traditional belief of "eating what you want to replenish," many men's diets include beef kidneys, lamb kidneys, pork liver, and chicken kidneys, which are rich in zinc or have aphrodisiac effects. However, experts have recently pointed out that it is important to be aware of the nutritional value and potential risks of consuming animal organs, as they contain heavy metals such as cadmium, which can harm male fertility. It is important to exercise caution when consuming animal organs.
7. Rubbing the Feet Every Day
The soles of the feet have many reflex zones in the body. Regularly rubbing the feet can nourish the brain and kidneys, improve intelligence and calm the mind, promote blood circulation, and treat conditions such as forgetfulness, insomnia, indigestion, decreased appetite, bloating, constipation, and diseases of the heart, liver, spleen, and gallbladder.
8. Swallowing Saliva to Nourish the Kidneys
The saliva in the mouth is divided into two parts: clear saliva, which is mainly produced by the spleen, and thick saliva, which is mainly produced by the kidneys. You can conduct an experiment: if you spit out saliva as soon as it is produced, within a day, you will feel soreness in the waist and fatigue. This indicates that swallowing saliva can nourish kidney essence and have a positive effect on kidney health.
9. Massaging the Scrotum to Enhance Male Sexual Energy
To improve male sexual function, it is recommended to develop the habit of directly massaging the scrotum. Regular massage can improve blood circulation in the testicles. Since the testicles require a low-temperature environment, maintaining a suitable temperature is essential. It is best to wear loose cotton underwear, which allows the scrotum to be exposed and provides ventilation and cooling. This helps to restore the natural expansion and contraction function of the scrotum, promotes the secretion of male hormones, and enhances male sexual energy.
10. Wiping the Kidney Eye
In the morning, use your fingertips or a ridged surface to gently rub the kidney eye and other ear-related areas in a circular motion or apply pressure. The local area should become slightly swollen, warm, and have a tingling sensation. This method has the effects of regulating yin and yang, promoting qi and blood circulation, tonifying the kidneys, and solidifying essence, as advocated by well-known health experts throughout history.
