Article 47: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Kidney Yin Deficiency, Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency Syndrome) and Simple Medicinal Diets (General Introduction to Dishes and Stir-fried Pork Kidney with Eucommia Bark, etc.)

III. Kidney Yin Deficiency

The clinical manifestations of this syndrome include frequent or dribbling urination, occurring intermittently, exacerbated by exertion, and persistent. It may be accompanied by dizziness, lower back pain, tinnitus, blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, dark yellow urine, a red tongue with little or no coating, and a thready, rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on nourishing the liver and kidneys and promoting urination. Formulas such as Jiyin Decoction and Zhuling Decoction can be used.

1. Jiyin Decoction

Source: Records of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine

Composition: 30g Rehmannia glutinosa (processed), 15g raw tortoise shell (crushed and decocted first), 15g raw Paeonia lactiflora, 3g Kochia scoparia.

Usage: One dose per day, decocted twice with water, taken warm in the morning and evening.

Functions: Nourishes Yin and promotes diuresis. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia due to Yin and blood deficiency, with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, dry mouth and tongue, irritability, hot palms, dizziness, and lower back pain.

Note: The formula contains Rehmannia glutinosa, tortoise shell, and white peony root to nourish yin and blood, and Kochia scoparia to promote urination and relieve strangury.

2. Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus umbellatus Decoction)

Source: Treatise on Febrile Diseases.

Composition: 15g each of Polyporus umbellatus, Poria cocos, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and donkey-hide gelatin (melted and taken with water), and 15g of talc (wrapped and decocted).

Usage: One dose per day, decocted twice with water, taken warm in the morning and evening.

Functions: Nourishes Yin and promotes diuresis. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia due to damp-heat stagnation and damage to Yin, with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, turbid urine, and thirst.

Note: In this formula, Polyporus umbellatus, Poria cocos, and Alisma plantago-aquatica eliminate dampness and promote diuresis; Talcum clears away heat and promotes diuresis and reduces turbidity; and Colla corii asini nourishes Yin.

IV. Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency

The clinical manifestations of this syndrome include frequent urination, especially nocturia, weak urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, or urinary incontinence due to lower abdominal distension, lower back pain and weakness in the legs, fatigue, decreased libido, impotence, cold hands and feet, loose stools or constipation, pale tongue with a white coating, and a deep, thready pulse. Treatment should focus on warming and tonifying the spleen and kidneys, and replenishing qi and opening the orifices. Formulas such as Chunze Decoction, Amber Powder, Cimicifuga and Astragalus Decoction, and Baoyuan Tongbi Decoction can be used.

1. Chunze Decoction

Source: "Effective Prescriptions".

Composition: 15g Polyporus umbellatus, 5g Alisma plantago-aquatica, 15g Atractylodes macrocephala, 15g Poria cocos, 10g Cinnamomum cassia, 10g Panax ginseng (decocted separately).

Usage: One dose per day, decocted twice with water, taken warm in the morning and evening.

Functions: Tonifies Qi and warms Yang, promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia in the elderly with spleen and kidney Qi deficiency, manifested as difficulty urinating, urinary tract infection, fatigue, and impotence.

Note: This formula is Wu Ling San with the addition of ginseng. Wu Ling San has the function of promoting Yang, transforming Qi and promoting diuresis, while ginseng tonifies the Qi of the spleen and kidneys.

2. Amber Powder

Source: Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Jingyue).

Composition: 3 grams of amber (ground into powder), 10 grams of ginseng.

Usage: Decoction of ginseng, taken with amber powder on an empty stomach.

Functions: Tonifies Qi, promotes urination, and relieves strangury. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia in the elderly due to deficiency of spleen and kidney Qi and inability to transform Qi, with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, fatigue, and impotence.

Note: Amber in this formula promotes urination and relieves strangury, while ginseng tonifies the spleen and kidneys.

3. Cimicifuga and Astragalus Decoction

Source: Records of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine

Composition: 30g raw Astragalus membranaceus, 15g Angelica sinensis, 10g roasted Cimicifuga foetida, 10g raw Bupleurum chinense.

Usage: One dose per day, decocted twice with water, taken warm in the morning and evening.

Functions: Tonifies Qi and lifts upwards, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia due to Qi deficiency and sinking, with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, edema, lower abdominal distension, and weakness in the limbs.

Note: In this formula, Astragalus membranaceus tonifies Qi and raises Yang, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling; Cimicifuga foetida and Bupleurum chinense raise clear Qi; and Angelica sinensis nourishes and invigorates blood.

4. Baoyuan Tongbi Decoction

Source: New Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1987;10:50.

Composition: 100g raw Astragalus membranaceus, 30g talc (wrapped and decocted), 3g amber (powdered).

Usage: Boil Astragalus and Talc twice with water, mix the juices together, then add amber powder and take it on an empty stomach in two doses.

Functions: Tonifies Qi and strengthens the body, removes blood stasis and clears blockages. Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis, and Qi transformation disorder, with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, increased frequency of urination at night, dribbling, and loose stools.

Note: Astragalus membranaceus in this formula tonifies qi and promotes diuresis, while talc and amber promote urination and relieve strangury. Clinical studies have reported that this formula was used to treat 52 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, with the number of doses ranging from 3 to 45, averaging 18 doses. Results: 38 cases showed significant improvement, 13 cases showed improvement, and 1 case showed no effect, with a total effective rate of 98.1%.

Simple medicinal diet

Dishes typically include raw and cooked vegetables, chicken, duck, fish, meat, shrimp, crab, eggs, dairy products, and other foods. Dishes intended to enhance male virility often use ingredients with aphrodisiac properties, or add aphrodisiac Chinese medicinal herbs to ordinary ingredients.

There are several ways to prepare dishes.

(1) Stewing: Put the food and Chinese medicine into the pot at the same time, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, remove the foam, and then stew over low heat until tender.

(2) Simmering: Add an appropriate amount of vegetable oil to the pot, put the food and Chinese medicine in at the same time, stir-fry until semi-finished, then add seasonings and a small amount of broth, cover the pot tightly, and simmer over low heat until cooked.

(3) Simmering: Simmer food and Chinese medicine over a low flame or in the residual heat of firewood ash until thoroughly cooked.

(4) Steaming: Mix the food, Chinese medicine and seasonings together, put them in a bowl, place them in a steamer and steam them until cooked.

(5) Boiling: Put the food and Chinese medicine in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water or soup, bring to a boil over high heat, and then simmer over low heat until cooked.

(6) Boiling: Put the food and Chinese medicine in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water and seasonings, bring to a boil over high heat, and then simmer over low heat until tender.

(7) Stir-fry: Heat the wok, pour in vegetable oil, and coat the wok with the oil. Generally, use high heat. Add the food and Chinese medicine in sequence, stir with a ladle or spatula, and stir quickly until just cooked.

(8) Braising: Combine food and Chinese medicine in a certain way, put them into braising liquid, heat over medium heat to cook them, allowing them to penetrate the braising liquid until cooked.

(9) Frying: Put a large amount of vegetable oil in the pot (several times more than the raw materials), and after the oil is hot, put the food and Chinese medicine into the pot and fry them. Cook over high heat until cooked through.

(10) Braising: Sauté or fry the food, season and color it, then add Chinese medicine and an appropriate amount of water or soup. First bring it to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the sauce is thick and rich.

The cooking process for medicinal dishes is complex, and a wide variety of ingredients are used, resulting in a diverse range of dishes. Food emphasizes color, aroma, taste, and presentation; therefore, medicinal dishes generally contain small amounts of medicinal ingredients, and the amount consumed is not limited and can be determined according to appetite.

Dishes should be prepared and eaten immediately, emphasizing freshness. Cooked dishes should not be left out for too long; otherwise, their unique color, aroma, flavor, and appearance will be damaged, and many vitamins will be lost. Therefore, dishes should be eaten as soon as possible after preparation.

In addition, the broth of dishes often contains vitamins, minerals, and some medicinal ingredients with therapeutic effects. This broth should be consumed along with the dishes and should not be discarded.

1. Stir-fried pork kidneys with Eucommia ulmoides

[Main Ingredients] 250g pork kidney, 12g roasted Eucommia ulmoides.

[Preparation] Split the pig kidneys open, remove the white membranes and glands, clean them thoroughly, and cut them into kidney-shaped pieces. Wash the eucommia bark, place it in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer to make 30 ml of concentrated broth. Mix this broth with an appropriate amount of cooking wine, cornstarch, and salt, then stir it into the kidney pieces. Add an appropriate amount of sugar and mix well. Pour lard or vegetable oil into an iron wok and heat it over high heat. Add the kidney pieces, Sichuan peppercorns, scallions, ginger, and garlic, and stir-fry continuously until the kidney pieces are cooked. Add a small amount of MSG and serve as a dish.

[Functions] It tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence. It is used to treat kidney deficiency, impotence, seminal emission, lower back pain, unsteady gait, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, and hypertension.

2. Stir-fried lamb kidneys with Eucommia ulmoides

[Main Ingredients] 15g Eucommia ulmoides, 6g Schisandra chinensis, 500g sheep kidney.

[Preparation] First, place Eucommia ulmoides and Schisandra chinensis in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 40 minutes, then remove the dregs. Next, simmer over low heat until concentrated into a thick liquid, then add soybean flour or cornstarch. Cut open the sheep kidneys, remove the fascia and glands, wash thoroughly with water, and then cut into small pieces. Coat the kidneys evenly with soybean flour or cornstarch slurry, then stir-fry in hot vegetable oil until tender. Add cooking wine, soy sauce, salt, chopped green onions, and minced ginger. Serve as a dish.

[Functions] This medicine tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the lower back. It is used to treat kidney deficiency, impotence, seminal emission, lower back pain, frequent urination, or increased nocturia.

3. Cornelian Cherry, Walnut, and Pork Kidney Stew

[Main Ingredients] 10g Cornus officinalis, 15g walnut kernels, 2 pork kidneys.

[Preparation] Cut open the pig kidneys, remove the white fascia and glands, and wash them clean. Wash the cornelian cherry and walnut kernels, then stuff them into the pig kidneys, tie them tightly with thread, put them in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until cooked. Serve as a dish.

[Functions] It tonifies the kidneys and astringes semen. It is used to treat kidney deficiency and instability, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, lower back pain, and weak legs.

4. Stir-fried pecans

[Main Ingredients] 100g small walnut kernels, 200ml Shaoxing wine.

[Preparation] Wash the small walnut kernels and put them in a hot pan. Stir-fry over low heat for 10 minutes. Take 10 grams each time, with 20 ml of rice wine, twice a day.

[Functions] This medicine tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the lower back. It is used to treat kidney deficiency, impotence, seminal emission, frequent urination, and lower back pain.

5. Candied Yam

[Main Ingredients] 500g yam, 100g white sugar, 25g sesame seeds.

[Preparation] Wash and peel the yam, then cut it into chunks. Place an iron wok over heat and pour in vegetable oil. When the oil reaches 50% of its maximum temperature, add the yam chunks and fry for half a minute. Then reduce the heat to low and fry until cooked through. Drain the oil using a slotted spoon. Heat the iron wok over high heat, add white sugar, and stir constantly until the sugar turns light yellow. Add the fried yam chunks and stir continuously to coat them evenly with the sugar. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the yam chunks and quickly transfer them to a plate (the bottom of the plate should be greased with cooked oil beforehand). Pour a bowl of cold boiled water, dip chopsticks in the water, and then eat the yam chunks.

[Functions] It tonifies the kidneys and replenishes essence, astringes and stops seminal emission. It is used to treat kidney qi deficiency, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, lower back pain and weakness, weakness of the lower limbs, thirst and frequent urination. In addition, it can also be used for spleen and lung weakness after prolonged illness, fatigue, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, phlegm and cough, and dry skin.

(Due to space limitations, the 47th article ends here. Subsequent articles will continue to be output in the same format.)