If you are trying to conceive, try having sex at kidney time.

The kidneys govern reproduction, birth, development, longevity and aging. They also store our life essence, known as jing.

Jing is one of the Three Treasures (jing, qi and shen) that determine our health and is vital for all of the body’s processes. There are two aspects to jing: pre-natal and post-natal jing.

Pre-natal jing is the essence acquired from our parents when we were conceived; post-natal jing is acquired from the air, food and drink we ingest.

The health of our parents at the time of conception impacts on the quality of our pre-natal jing. If you are trying to conceive, consider preparing for at least three months. Start  with a healthy diet and exercise. Abstain from smoking and alcohol. Practice a meditative art, such as: meditation, tai chi, or yoga. This will ensure that you give your child the best possible start.

As kidneys govern reproduction, it is also a good idea to nourish the kidneys in order to prepare for conception.

The kidneys are interesting in that they contain both a water and fire aspect. The yang fire aspect, also known as the Gate of Vitality, must be balanced with the yin water aspect to properly support the body’s healthy functioning. Kidney imbalances may manifest as qi, yin or yang deficiency.

A deficiency of the kidneys can manifest with lethargy, aching knees, calves and soles of the feet, depression and incontinence. Sexual disturbances include an inability to control semen, premature ejaculation, frigidity or reduced libido.

Kidney yang deficiency may be the cause of gynecological or sexual dysfunction such as irregular periods, infertility, sterility and low or no libido. It may also manifest with a pale face and tongue, low mental and physical energy, lower back pain and knees, clear urination, frequent urination, asthma and oedema.

Eating foods that warm the kidney yang and nourish the qi will help to improve your reproductive and sexual health. Include ginger, black pepper, fennel seeds, cloves, lamb, chicken, salmon and trout, onions, shallots, chives, leeks, walnuts and black turtle beans in your diet to lift your kidney yang.

A kidney yin deficiency may manifest as a lack of fluids in the body with symptoms such as dry throat and mouth, as well as dizziness, ringing in the ears, spontaneous sweating, weak legs and lower back pain. Build kidney yin by eating seaweeds, black sesame seeds, beetroot, sweet potatoes, mung and black turtle beans, barley, millet and wheat germ.

If you are trying to conceive, try having sex at kidney time (5:00 to 7:0o p.m.) when the qi is strongest in the kidneys. Finally, to improve your chances of conceiving, make sure that you take care of your kidneys by not over-working, get plenty of sleep, drinking good-quality water and relax during kidney time.

Lee-Anne Armitage holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Acupuncture) and has also undertaken studies in Japanese Meridian Therapy, Esoteric Acupuncture, Five Element Acupuncture, IVF and pregnancy support. Lee-Anne is a committed Buddhist practitioner and has extensive experience with Asian meditative disciplines, including meditation, yoga, tai chi and martial arts. Follow Lee-Anne on Twitter at @Leeannearmitage.

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Editor: Colleen Simpson

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