🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Menopause is a normal physiological change occurring after middle age. Men’s menopause comes slightly later than women’s, typically around ages 50–60. Mild cases require no treatment; severe cases need hormone or other medication under medical guidance. Combining food adjustment with medication often yields double benefits. Those with mild symptoms may achieve good results through dietary regulation alone.
TCM holds that menopause results from declining kidney qi. Proper dietary planning not only alleviates symptoms but also facilitates smoother passage through menopause.
Below are key dietary adjustments for male menopause:
1. Weight gain stems from metabolic imbalance. Therefore, increase intake of protein-rich, calcium-rich, and vitamin-rich foods; reduce high-sugar foods. Mainly focus on fresh vegetables, supplemented by chicken, fish, rabbit meat. Milk and soy products provide calcium, protein, and essential trace elements needed during menopause—can be consumed regularly.
2. Diet structure should follow low-salt, light, and balanced meat-vegetable combinations.
3. Avoid overeating at dinner. Daily meal proportions can be 35% calories for breakfast, 35% for lunch, 30% for dinner. Avoid binge eating.
4. Honey contains various nutrients and lubricates intestines. Although it contains considerable sugar, moderate honey water reduces intake of high-calorie foods and offers "moisturizing, soothing, detoxifying" benefits—generally advantageous. Drinking about one tablespoon of honey water daily is a good choice for bodily regulation.
5. Avoid spicy, dry, and pungent foods.
6. Shrimp, lamb, beef, walnuts, etc., strengthen tendons and bones, enrich blood and essence. For men experiencing sexual dysfunction or decreased libido during menopause, consuming these foods can effectively improve and enhance sexual function. When cooking, consider adding kidney-tonifying herbs—such as stewing lamb with cistanche, stir-frying lamb kidneys with eucommia, braising chicken with cordyceps. Also, moderate consumption of ginseng wine or "Two Seeds Wine" (recipe: 100g dodder seeds, 50g schisandra berries, 100ml low-alcohol wine) can replenish yang deficiency, improving symptoms like diminished libido, frequent nocturnal urination, insomnia, palpitations.
7. For men with irritability, insomnia, headaches, memory decline, fatigue, tension, poor cardiovascular function, diet should emphasize foods improving headache, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath. Examples: jujubes, walnuts, oats, yam, longan. Dishes like Longan-Jujube Congee or Goji Berry Stewed Softshell Turtle effectively calm the mind and enhance memory. Avoid coffee, tea, and other stimulating drinks. Best to drink lingzhi tea before bed—this boosts resistance during menopause and promotes better sleep.