Simple Methods for Sexual Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Sexuality, or sexual activity, is a hallmark of ancient Chinese health preservation. TCM believes: “Sexual activity can create life or destroy it—like water and fire. Properly used, it nurtures life; improperly used, it leads to death.” Sexual life should follow nature’s rhythm, avoiding harm through proper technique—essential for longevity. Evidence shows moderate, enjoyable sex benefits mental and physical health. However, human sexuality is influenced not only by physiology but also by social environment, psychology, genetics, and illness. Correct understanding and management of sexual life are vital for well-being.
Do not engage in sex while drunk
Alcohol is highly stimulating, easily causing genital congestion and excitement, leading to loss of control and excessive sexual activity, depleting kidney essence. Ancient warnings repeatedly state: “Never engage in sex while drunk. Drunken intercourse causes facial pallor, coughing, shortness of breath; severe cases damage internal organs and endanger life.” “Drunk sex exhausts the liver and intestines—men suffer reduced semen and erectile dysfunction; women experience weakened menstruation and prolonged leukorrhea.” Modern medicine confirms long-term drunken sex weakens immune regulation. Clinical cases of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and menstrual disorders often link to post-alcohol sex.
Abstinence to preserve essence for longevity
The *Huangdi Neijing* says: “Essence is the root of life.” Essence is fundamental to the body, the basis of life activities. Preserving essence is crucial for strength. Essence belongs to the kidneys; excessive indulgence harms kidney essence and further damages other organs, undermining health and accelerating aging or shortening lifespan. Modern medicine notes long-term sexual excess reduces immune regulation due to full-body excitement and energy depletion, weakening organ adaptation. Historical data shows 209 Chinese emperors with recorded birth and death dates had an average lifespan of just 39 years, with 31 dying before age 20. Qing Emperor Qianlong learned from past rulers’ mistakes, adopting “Don’t get drunk, don’t overindulge in sex” as a health practice—living to 88. Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao lived to 102, whose famous saying was: “Avoid sex during extreme cold or heat; never have sex when drunk or full; if all five organs turn upside down, desire burns slowly—better to sleep alone.”
Practice strengthening kidney exercises
Several simple, effective methods:
(1) Teeth-knocking and saliva-swallowing method
Knock teeth 100 times each morning, then lick the palate and gum with the tongue, collect saliva, swallow it slowly, directing it to the dantian. “Suo Zhou” means contracting the anus: inhale while tightening the anus, exhale while relaxing—repeat 50 times. This nourishes yin, reduces fire, strengthens teeth, and prevents sexual decline.
(2) Massage Yongquan point
Seated position: rub both Yongquan points (on soles) 100 times, focusing intention on the area, rhythmic motion. This harmonizes heart and kidney, guides fire downward—effective for insomnia and nocturnal emission.
(3) Palms rubbing waist method
Seated: place palms on Shenshu points (kidney points), middle fingers aligned with Mingmen point (second lumbar vertebra), focus intention on Mingmen. Rub palms from top to bottom 40–100 times until warmth spreads. This warms the kidneys, retains essence—effective for male spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation; female leukorrhea, menstrual irregularities.