Traditional Chinese medicine believes that a low sperm count is a result of deficiency in the kidney, often due to congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual activity leading to kidney damage, or prolonged illness causing depletion of both qi and blood, resulting in insufficient kidney essence. Therefore, kidney deficiency is considered to be the direct cause of a low sperm count.
However, kidney deficiency can manifest in different aspects such as kidney qi, kidney yang, and kidney yin. Which aspect of deficiency specifically leads to a low sperm count? Experts have analyzed the semen of over 80 patients with abnormal semen and found that a low semen volume is mainly related to insufficient kidney yin, while a low sperm count is related to deficiencies in kidney qi, kidney yang, and kidney yin. The degree of deficiency in these three aspects does not significantly affect the quantity of sperm. It has also been observed that yang-tonifying herbs primarily enhance sperm vitality, while yin-nourishing herbs significantly increase sperm count. As Zhang Jingyue said: "Those who are skilled in tonifying yang must seek yang within yin, so that yang obtains the assistance of yin and life transformation is boundless. Those who are skilled in nourishing yin must seek yin within yang, so that yin obtains the assistance of yang and the source remains abundant." Therefore, regardless of the quantity of sperm, as long as it is caused by kidney deficiency, it can be improved with the assistance of yang-tonifying foods. The following dietary therapy is recommended:
(1) 150g of Chinese chives, 150g of fresh shrimp, 1 egg, 50ml of white wine (preferably glutinous rice wine). Stir-fry Chinese chives with shrimp and egg, and consume with white wine as a meal once a day. Each course lasts for 10 days. This is suitable for those with kidney yang deficiency.
(2) Appropriate amount of sea cucumber, 100g of glutinous rice. Soak the sea cucumber, clean it, slice it, and cook it until soft. Then add glutinous rice and cook it into a thick porridge. Season and consume. This is suitable for those with kidney essence deficiency.
In addition, regularly consuming fish and shellfish, such as eel, snakehead fish, shrimp, frog meat, as well as warm-tonifying foods like pine nuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, and other plant seeds, can also help with sperm production.
For individuals with yang deficiency who experience a low sperm count, consuming animal testicles, such as sheep testicles, can naturally help. Alternatively, deer antler can also be taken, or edible ants can be consumed to warm and tonify the kidneys, as well as increase the zinc content in semen, improving the quality and quantity of sperm.
