Examples of Viagra in Diet and Foods Suitable for Men
**Part Two:** "Viagra" in Diet
In daily life, many foods contain ingredients similar to Viagra, and regular consumption can have unexpected effects.
1. Wheat Germ Oil: Wheat germ oil is an important component of many nutritional supplements, known for its ability to improve endurance, physical strength, and energy. It contains a substance called octacosanol, which can convert stored energy from food into bioenergy, thereby enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and vitality. It can also improve fertility and sperm production. Wheat germ oil is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which have antioxidant activity, earning it the reputation of being a natural form of vitamin E.
2. Nuts: Nut kernels are rich in vitamin E, which can regulate sexual function through the secretion of gonadotropins by the anterior pituitary gland, thus promoting sexual arousal. Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages and medications such as oral contraceptives and aspirin increases the body's need for vitamin E, so supplementation is important. In addition, nuts kernels contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, fruit acids, dietary fiber, vitamin C, carotene, and various trace minerals, offering nourishing and health-promoting benefits; consuming more nuts is beneficial.
3. Seaweed: Seaweed contains alginic acid, mannitol, potassium, iodine, and various trace elements. Shellfish such as mussels and oysters, which grow among seaweed, have the effects of nourishing deficiency and replenishing essence, warming the kidneys and dispelling cold. They are also nutritious foods that nourish yin and calm the liver. They are effective in preventing and treating kidney deficiency, impotence, premature ejaculation, and lack of energy.
**Part Three** Examples of Foods Suitable for Men
1. Leeks, also known as "yang-raising grass," "lazy man's vegetable," "longevity leek," and "flat vegetable," have been loved and valued by the Chinese people since ancient times. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states that "leeks warm the middle and lower body, replenish deficiency, harmonize the internal organs, improve appetite, and benefit yang." The *Compendium of Materia Medica* further states that leeks nourish the liver and kidneys, and treat frequent urination and bedwetting. Leeks are not only tender and delicious but also rich in nutrients. Analysis shows that every 500g of leeks contains over 10g of protein, 30g of fat, 19g of carbohydrates, 280mg of calcium, 225mg of phosphorus, 6.5mg of iron, 95mg of vitamin C, and 17.5mg of carotene. Modern medical research has proven that leeks contain a relatively high amount of fiber, which can increase gastrointestinal motility, benefiting habitual constipation and playing an important role in preventing colon cancer; the volatile oils and sulfur compounds they contain have the effects of promoting appetite, killing bacteria, and lowering blood lipids. Therefore, it is very beneficial for patients with hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease.
Leeks are known as "the herb that invigorates yang" in pharmacopoeias due to their prominent effects of warming and tonifying the liver and kidneys, and strengthening yang and consolidating essence. Leek seeds have the effects of consolidating essence, strengthening yang, tonifying the kidneys, treating leukorrhea, and warming the lower back and knees, and are suitable for treating impotence, seminal emission, and frequent urination. Grinding leek seeds into powder and taking 15g twice a day with warm water is effective in treating impotence. Decoction of leek roots and leaves can be taken internally to treat night sweats and spontaneous sweating.
2. Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum) Goji berries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature. They enter the liver, kidney, and lung meridians, and have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting essence and improving eyesight, harmonizing blood and moisturizing dryness, beautifying the skin and complexion, and strengthening the body and darkening hair. They can be used to treat symptoms such as liver and kidney yin deficiency, dizziness, blurred vision, seminal emission, impotence, sallow complexion, dry and yellow hair, soreness of the waist and knees, yin deficiency cough, and diabetes in the elderly. They are also a good health medicine for improving male and female sexual function. Modern medical research has found that goji berries contain carotene, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂2, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, various free amino acids, linoleic acid, betaine, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and other components. They have the effects of enhancing the body's immune function, enhancing the body's resistance, promoting cell regeneration, lowering blood cholesterol levels, resisting arteriosclerosis, improving skin elasticity, and resisting organ and skin aging. Regular consumption of goji berries can delay aging, beautify the skin and complexion, and improve sexual function. Goji berries have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, so they are not suitable for people with hypersexuality.
3. Astragalus complanatus seed (also known as Astragalus membranaceus or Astragalus quinquefolius), a legume. It has a sweet taste and warm properties, entering the liver and kidney meridians. It tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence, nourishes the liver and improves eyesight, moisturizes and softens the skin, and strengthens the waist and bones. It can be used for skin care and beauty, and to treat kidney deficiency and lower back pain, impotence, seminal emission, dizziness, excessive vaginal discharge, and decreased vision. The *Ben Cao Feng Yuan* states, "Tribulus terrestris (Sanguisorba officinalis) is both descending and tonifying, benefiting the kidneys, treating lower back pain, and is an essential medicine for seminal emission and general weakness." The *Ben Cao Hui Yan* states, "Tribulus terrestris is a kidney-tonifying and seminal-astringent medicine... It tonifies the kidneys, strengthens essence, and promotes fertility." Modern medical research has found that Tribulus terrestris contains abundant selenium, as well as copper, iron, zinc, manganese, fatty acids, tannins, vitamin A, and other substances. It has protective effects on the skin, maintaining its smoothness, softness, and elasticity, as well as enhancing sexual function and delaying aging. Patients suffering from kidney yang deficiency leading to frigidity, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, and insomnia can benefit from taking Tribulus terrestris. It can not only improve symptoms of sexual dysfunction but also has good effects on skin nourishment, hair darkening, and beauty, and can rejuvenate youthful vitality. However, Tribulus terrestris is warm in nature and has a yang-strengthening effect; therefore, it is not suitable for those with yin deficiency and excessive fire, or those prone to premature ejaculation.
4. Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are sweet and slightly warm in nature. They have the effects of strengthening yang and bones, nourishing blood and beautifying the skin, moisturizing the lungs and relieving cough, and lubricating the intestines and promoting bowel movements. They are a nourishing health food for middle-aged and elderly people. They have a good effect on those with poor appetite, fatigue, seminal emission, night sweats, excessive dreaming, physical weakness, and lack of erectile strength, and are an important aphrodisiac food. Modern medical research has found that pine nuts contain more unsaturated fatty acids, high-quality protein, various vitamins and minerals. Regular consumption can strengthen the body, improve the body's immune function, delay aging, eliminate skin wrinkles, moisturize and beautify the skin, and enhance sexual function. Pine nuts contain oils that can nourish the skin, making it delicate and soft.
5. Lychee. Lychee is sweet and warm in nature, and has the effects of nourishing qi and blood, replenishing essence and marrow, promoting body fluids and nourishing the stomach, and beautifying the skin. It is not only a health-preserving fruit that benefits health and appearance, but can also be used to treat insufficient body fluids after illness, kidney deficiency with nocturnal emission, spleen deficiency with diarrhea, forgetfulness and insomnia. Modern medical research has found that lychee contains pectin, malic acid, citric acid, free amino acids, fructose, glucose, iron, calcium, phosphorus, carotene, as well as vitamin B₁, vitamin C and crude fiber. It can improve digestive function and blood circulation, thus having a skin-moisturizing and beautifying effect; it can improve sexual function and is used to treat nocturnal emission, impotence, premature ejaculation, and frigidity. It can also improve anemia and symptoms such as lower back and knee pain, insomnia and forgetfulness caused by kidney yang deficiency. For those who are thin, have dark skin, and suffer from impotence and premature ejaculation, take 10 dried lychees, 10g of Schisandra chinensis, and 15g of Rosa laevigata, decoct in water, and take one dose daily. Long-term use can strengthen the body and treat the disease. Lychees are warm in nature and should not be eaten in excess; those with internal heat or excessive liver fire should not eat lychees.
6. Bird's nest, also known as "swallow's nest," is a nest built by swiftlets and other swallows of the same genus. They feed on small fish and seaweed from the sea, and the mixture of this food with the mucus secreted by their digestive glands and their downy feathers is used to construct the nest. These nests are often built on cliffs of islands, resembling swallow nests on land, hence the name. "Imperial swallow's nest" is considered the most nutritious and precious, followed by "feathered swallow's nest," while "blood swallow's nest" is of the lowest quality. Bird's nest is not only a delicacy on par with bear's paw and shark fin, a gourmet dish at high-end banquets, but also a renowned high-grade tonic. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states that bird's nest is "sweet and bland in taste, greatly nourishes lung yin, resolves phlegm and stops coughs, replenishes while clearing, and is a holy medicine for treating weakness and tuberculosis." The *Food Taboos* states that bird's nest has the effects of "strengthening yang and qi, harmonizing the stomach and improving appetite, replenishing essence and marrow, moistening the lungs, stopping chronic diarrhea, and eliminating phlegm." Bird's nest is rich in protein, with up to 50g per 100g, and also contains various amino acids, sugars, inorganic salts, and vitamins, making it an excellent tonic. It is a top-grade tonic for those suffering from chronic illness, weakness, emaciation, fatigue, and poor appetite. Stewing bird's nest with appropriate amounts of white fungus and rock sugar can treat dry cough, night sweats, and lung yin deficiency. Stewing bird's nest with Bletilla striata over low heat until tender, then adding rock sugar and stewing until dissolved, and consuming it morning and evening, can treat chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and hemoptysis in the elderly.
Before consuming bird's nest, it should be rinsed with clean water, then soaked in 80℃ hot water for 3 hours to make it expand and soften. Then, use tweezers to remove the feathers and down, and soak it in 100℃ boiling water for about 1 hour before cooking.