"ED" induced by drug instructions and a bowl of porridge that cured the emperor's impotence

**ED induced by drug instructions**

On Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), a mother and son came to my clinic. The mother was a radiologist at a hospital, and she asked me anxiously if her child had erectile dysfunction.

Here's what happened: Last summer, after playing soccer with friends, Xiao Zhang felt lower back pain and weakness, so he went to the hospital. After taking his pulse, the doctor told him he had kidney deficiency and prescribed two bottles each of Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) and Ciwujia Pian (Acanthopanax senticosus tablets). After taking the medication as prescribed, Xiao Zhang felt his erections weren't as firm as before, and he had many questions: Did he have a serious problem with his reproductive system? Was it a serious adverse reaction to the medication?

Upon further questioning about his medical history, it was revealed that Xiao Zhang had had sexual intercourse with his girlfriend once, during which time his erection was excellent. For the past five years, Xiao Zhang had maintained a masturbation routine of about two to three times a month, with decent erections, including spontaneous morning erections. A physical examination revealed no physical abnormalities in Xiao Zhang; his issues stemmed from psychological problems. After patient explanation, Xiao Zhang's "illness" resolved itself without medication.

Case Analysis:

1. Will the medication Xiao Zhang is taking cause erectile dysfunction? The answer is no. Liuwei Dihuang Wan and Ciwujia Pian are commonly used traditional Chinese medicines for health maintenance, and they are effective in treating lower back pain, weak knees, dizziness, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and seminal emission. Moreover, these medications are generally safe to take, with almost no obvious adverse reactions. Xiao Zhang's problem may be related to the psychological suggestion he received after reading the medication's instructions.

2. Is Xiao Zhang's erectile function normal? The answer is yes. Penile erection is mainly caused by the engorgement of the corpora cavernosa of the penis with blood. The quality of the erection depends mainly on the size of the erection angle; the larger the angle, the better the erection. Generally, an erection angle greater than 100° will not cause any problems with sexual intercourse.

Author: Wang Chuanhang, Department of Andrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital

**A bowl of porridge cured the emperor's impotence**

Emperor Renzong, the fourth emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, once suffered from impotence, but he was miraculously cured by the porridge he was given by the imperial physician.

According to the "Essentials of Diet and Nutrition," Emperor Renzong of Yuan defeated the invading Russian army in Xinjiang and returned to Dadu (Beijing). However, due to years of military life, constant travel, and overwork, he suffered from kidney deficiency and impotence, causing him great distress. Husi Hui, a Mongolian nutritionist and imperial physician in charge of the palace's diet, learned of this and invented a "Sheep Kidney and Leek Porridge" made primarily from sheep kidneys, mutton, and leeks for him to consume daily. In less than three months, Emperor Renzong's impotence was cured, and his concubine even became pregnant.

It has the effect of harmonizing the middle and strengthening the spleen, which can indeed warm the middle and dispel cold, strengthen the body and make the body's yang energy sufficient.

Author: Wang Jue, Special Expert for Health Times