Master Ruth Lee, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Licensed Dietitian from Hong Kong
According to a recent study by medical journal Phytomedicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is over 90% effective in alleviating COVID-19 symptoms and can reduce its death rate. But it turns out that TCM benefits go beyond that. Whilst western medication uses hormone replacement therapy or estrogenic creams to alleviate and some forms of sexual disorders as well as pain from sex, TCM can also provide a long-term solution to addressing problems in sexual wellness.
Global pleasure brand We-Vibe collaborates with Master Ruth Lee, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Licensed Dietitian from Hong Kong to understand how TCM can help achieve a high level of sexual wellness in a natural, non-invasive way through acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal remedies.
How Is Sexual Wellness Viewed In Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The foundation of sexual wellness in Traditional Chinese medicine is not about the genitals, but mainly in a more unexpected organ: the kidney. This system is not just a filtration organ but also the root of life.
From the TCM perspective, it stores the essence of our vitality and longevity, allowing women to conceive and men to fertilize. Sexual desire also depends on the equilibrium of the Yin and Yang of the kidney. Kidney Yang is like sunshine in our body, it warms the reproductive sex organs, while Kidney Yin is like water streams in our body, nourishing the essence. As the energies of the kidney’s Yin and Yang build up through body contractions of the uterus during the release of orgasm, such accumulated energy promotes the free flow of Qi. When the Yin and Yang of the kidney are healthy and in balance, sexual vitality and performance are likely to be strong.
Benefits Of Traditional Chinese Medicine In Sexual Wellness
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic therapy: there is no single herb or acupuncture point that magically transforms people into a sexual animal. According to a recent survey by pleasure brand We-Vibe, Singapore residents rank their average libido at 6.58 on a scale from 1 to 10. They also rank an average satisfaction of 6.19 on their sex lives. From a TCM perspective, low libido and unsatisfying sexual performance are rooted in an underlying imbalance and lack of harmony between the Yin and the Yang. “We emphasize on treating a person as a whole.” Master Ruth says. “We customize a plan with appropriate treatments of acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, moxibustion or a selection of herbal tea. That way, the kidney system is nourished and the Qi and blood flow is enhanced.” Amongst others, TCM can provide the following sexual wellness benefits:
- Boosts natural lubrication
- Improves sexual desire
- Enhances sexual senses and response to stimuli
- Improves sexual performance and boost stamina
- Regulates erectile dysfunction
- Balances body, mind and spirit to relieve stress
- Balances sex hormones
How Does Acupuncture And Acupressure Help Sexual Wellness?
Acupuncture and acupressure work the same way but with different levels of stimulation. Acupuncture provides a stronger stimulation by inserting needles into body acupoints for around 30 minutes while acupressure uses fingertips or a device to hold and massage the area.
While acupuncture is more effective in manipulating the Qi flow, it needs to be practised by a licensed acupuncturist; whereas acupressure is an inexpensive, safe, and simple form of self-care that everyone can practice. Massaging acupoints is a crucial component in the Taoist “Yin-Yang energy integration” practice and vibrators are proven to be useful tools in the process.
As an example, here we use some of We-Vibe’s popular products for a self-administered acupressure treatment that anyone can do at home by focusing on the following acupoints:
Sanyinjiao SP6: located at four finger widths above the tip of the bony bump on the inner side of the ankle. This is a must-use acupoint to nourish the Yin as it is the intersection of the three Yin meridians including the kidney, liver and spleen. The We-Vibe Touch X’s ultra-soft silicon makes it the perfect tool to stimulate this point.
Price: $140
Yongquan KI1: On the sole of the foot, about one third of the distance between the base of the second toe and the heel, the point lies in the depression that appears when the toes are curled. It is the first point of the kidney meridian. Besides it being great for activating the Qi of the kidney, this point is effective for calming the spirit and balancing excessive heat in the heart system. The Touch X’s 8 intensity levels along with 7 modes delivers deep powerful vibrations for a pleasurable massage.
Taichong LR3: On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression where your big toe and the next toe joins. It is often used to get the Qi moving, great for decrease stress and anxiety. The Touch X is waterproof, making it easy to massage this spot any where and is simple to clean.
Qihai CV6: Lies 2 fingers’ width below the umbilicus (belly button). The point is famous for its ability to replenish Qi into the body, particularly the reproductive system. An important point for regulating gynaecological and sexual conditions. Ensuring Tango X won’t switch itself on accidentally, the travel lock is automatically deactivated when the toy is recharged.
Price: $110
Zhongji CV3: Lies 6 finger’s width below the umbilicus on the midline. This point is effective in strengthening the Kidney essence and moving the stagnation on the reproductive and urinary systems. Convenient and eco-friendly, the Tango X is rechargeable with up to 120 minutes of massage on a single charge.
Shen Shu BL23: On the back, 3 fingers’ width lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. This point is also known as ‘Sea of Vitality’ which is important to tonify the Kidney Yin and Yang, facilitating the production of Kidney essence. Designed to be discreet, Tango X is whisper quiet.
How About Herbal Remedies?
By strengthening your kidney’s Yin and Yang, and kidney essence, herbal remedies can fortify your sexual vitality and strengthen the health of your entire body. Chinese doctors customize an herbal formula according to one’s specific body constitution. These are meant to address boosting every aspect of the body’s health to address sexual issues and enhance sexual vigour.
A formula with mixtures of herbs needs to be prescribed after consultation to achieve the best result. Many Chinese herbs with aphrodisiac properties could be used to enhance libido and sexual performance. For example: Epimedium, Morinda, Cnidium, He Shou Wu, Eucommia and Cistanche.
Ruth Lee encourages the use of other means of sexual wellness to communicate with the body in conjunction to ingesting herbal remedies. Sex toy’s massaging properties are a great complement and use unconventional pressure technologies. Womanizer products, for example, come with the patented Pleasure Air Technology which uses air waves to gently massage the sensitive nerve-endings of the clitoris, while the male-focused Arcwave Ion promises the experience of a new type of orgasmic sensation with unique pulsating airwaves that stimulate the sensitive Pacinian pleasure receptors in the frenulum.
Womanizer Premium 2 (S$280)
Epimedium, or commonly known as Horny Goat Weed, is an herbal supplement that can be used for sexual dysfunction for female or menopausal symptoms, perfect to be taken before any sexual activities. A great foreplay to be used before the Womanizer Premium 2, which is now equipped with Autopilot 2.0 that allow the users to give up control, as the toy changes between different intensity levels in a harmonious way on its own. Premium 2 now comes with 14 intensity levels and features the famous Smart Silence technology that allow the toy to only function when in contact with the skin.
Womanizer Classic 2 (S$180)
Morinda, also known as noni berry, has numerous benefits including boosting of endurance. While it warms the kidney, Master Ruth suggests using Womanizer Classic 2 to further enhance sexuality. Discreet, simple and powerful, this version comes with a unique and brand-new Afterglow feature: by short-pressing the power button, the Afterglow feature allows the toy to quickly switch back to the lowest intensity level to finish your climax in a more comfortable way.
Womanizer Starlet 3 (S$110)
Cnidium is most commonly used for increasing sexual performance and sex drive and should be taken 1-2 hours before having sex. Why not test out the Starlet 3 after? which has 6It comes with 6 intensity levels, a beginner model in the Womanizer portfolio, which makes it the ideal toy to try the Pleasure Air Technology.
Arcwave Ion (S$274)
Eucommia is an herb that has been used for centuries to improve kidney health, improving vitality and promote longevity. It complements the Arcwave Ion, where both strives to promote a healthy sex life. Arcwave Ion is a state-of-art toy that uses a re-engineered version of Pleasure Air technology. It stimulates the frenulum with air waves to deliver an entirely new type of orgasm. Made up from premium grade, super smooth, soft, stretchy silicone, Ion suits both circumcised and uncircumcised penises of all sizes.
About Master Ruth Lee
Master Ruth is one of the most loved Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in Hong Kong. She provides customized and holistic solutions for treating menstrual health, fertility issues, insomnia, depression, obesity and various skin conditions.
Graduated from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Master Ruth practiced in renowned hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai before she came back to her hometown Hong Kong. Later she received her Master degree of Science in Baptist University of Hong Kong for Personal Health management, which enables her to design comprehensive and personalized programmes to help her patients for managing their own health.
Master Ruth applies the traditional wisdom of Chinese medicine to help women to cope with all challenges in the modern world. What sets her apart is her caring yet integrated approach. She combines aromatherapy, Tibetan singing bowl sound therapy, Chinese herbal formulas, acupuncture, moxibustion, auricular reflexology and other tools that make her treatment effective and enjoyable. Her master skill has won her reputations as one of the best natural and alternative medicine practitioners and her clinic the best TCM clinic in Hong Kong.
Being at her late-fifties, Master Ruth is the best advertising for anti-aging. No wonder her signature facial acupuncture and guasha treatments are one of the best kept secrets of many beautiful celebrities around town.
About We-Vibe
We-Vibe specializes in the development of innovative products for everybody’s love life – with a focus on products for couples. In 2008, Bruce Murison from Canada invented the first We-Vibe couples’ vibrator, which has gone on to sell more than 6 million times worldwide. The free We-Connect app allows users to control We-Vibe products from anywhere and across continents via smartphone.
We-Vibe, like Womanizer and Arcwave, is a brand of WOW Tech Group with offices in Berlin, Ottawa, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Further information can be found at we-vibe.com.
About Womanizer
Womanizer develops high-quality pleasure products for your love life. Founded in 2014 with the invention of the patented Pleasure Air Technology, Womanizer is now an internationally recognized brand with offices in Berlin, Hong Kong, Ottawa and Shanghai. More than 4 million people in over 60 countries have already purchased a Womanizer. With the global #IMasturbate campaign, the brand is committed to destigmatizing masturbation and sexuality, and thrives for an open, shame-free dialogue about sex, because every person deserves a sexually fulfilled life. Womanizer (insert link!) is, like Arcwave and We-Vibe, a brand of the WOW Tech Group.
About Arcwave
Arcwave is the embodiment of modern masculinity, offering a platform for the adventurous. This future-oriented and technology-focused brand offers a completely new masturbation experience. The first product was launched in September 2020 after more than two years of development. “Ion” is the world’s first Pleasure Air Stroker that stimulates the sensitive receptors in the penis with pulsating air waves.
Arcwave is, like Womanizer and We-Vibe, a brand of the WOW Tech Group, a sex tech company and one of the leading innovation drivers in the sexual wellness industry. The Group is headquartered in Berlin, with three additional locations in Ottawa, Hong Kong and Shanghai.