Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Sex Drive
Within the month of February, it's hard to not constantly be reminded of love, romance and of course, Valentines Day. You might even feel like there is something missing, and I'm not talking about chocolates and those conversation hearts. I am talking about your libido, your mojo, that va-va-voom. For many women, it may feel like that raging, passionate fire we used to have has dwindled down to a mere tea light. Luckily, there is something that can be done to get that flame growing again.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, libido is connected to our Kidneys. There is Kidney Yang, which is the flame, the urge, and the drive to get that motor going. There is also Kidney Yin, which is more of the nourishment and the fluid that lubes that motor (if you know what I mean). Just like everything else, we need a healthy balance of the two.
At Magnolia Wellness, we have some amazing formulas that help our body build back that Kidney Yin and Yang.
First up is Love Goddess Elixir - a powerhouse of herbs geared specifically towards enhancing the female libido. One of the main herbs in this formula is Polygala, which is also known as Yuan Zhi. This herb is traditionally used as a Shen tonic, which helps to relax the mind and calm the spirit. Another amazing thing about this herb is that it opens up the pathway between the Kidneys, which is our sexual energy, and our Heart, which is our love energy. Many times this pathway is blocked, and although we feel love for our partner, we may feel disconnected sexually. Another great herb in this formula is Schisandra, also known as Wu Wei Zi. The herb helps to strengthen the Heart and Kidneys, to help with our emotions and desires, as well as build more blood and fluids in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Schisandra is also said to promote radiant beauty, generate vitality, as well as relax the mind.
Up next is the formula Shanghai Lady. This formula contains a very strong and potent Yang strengthening herb known as Lu Rong, which is obtained from the tips of deer antlers (cruelty free in this formula specifically). This herb fuels that fire and increases that sexual drive. Shanghai Lady also contains Desert Cistanche Stem, which is another very strong Kidney Yang strengthening herb. Cistanche, in particular, is known to direct blood flow to the pelvic and genital regions, which can relax the pelvic floor and enhance pleasure. These two herbs, combined with Schisandra and a few others, will help to bring out that Shanghai Lady in us all.
One more great formula to keep in your medicine cabinet is known as Dew Drops. This formula is great for those who may suffer from vaginal dryness, whether it may be from Menopause, postpartum, or just that disconnect to our nether regions. Dew Drops is a wonderful Kidney Yin Tonic and contains the herb Tian Men Dong, also known as Asparagus Root. This powerful herb is not only known as an aphrodisiac but has amazing benefits specifically for women. It helps increase the blood flow to our genitals, as well as balance our hormones. Women who have PCOS, endometriosis, or those who are suffering from menopausal symptoms can notice that decline in libido from the hormone imbalances going on within. Combining Tian Men Dong with other herbs in this formula such as Lily flower, which helps to quiet the mind, as well as Pseudostellaria, which helps to generate more fluids in the body, makes this an amazing formula to help us to get in the mood.
Other ways to help strengthen our Kidneys and turn that passion light back on, is through food. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys are associated with the color black. By adding foods into our diet that are either black, dark blue, or dark purple, we can help strengthen our Kidneys. Try incorporating blackberries, blueberries, and figs to your daily regimen as well as sprinkling black sesame seeds over all of your meals. Other foods that are well known aphrodisiacs which also help strengthen our Kidneys are walnuts, chestnuts, oysters, chives, cucumbers, and lentils.
Along with adding in these foods and amazing formulas, make sure to come in for your routine acupuncture treatments. Before you know it, that little flicker of flame will turn into a raging, burning, fire of love.
For more info on Chinese herbs that boost your libido, don’t miss our blog post here.