Herbal Remedies

Television advertisements are getting funnier these days, especially when it comes to herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction. The pharmaceutical industry through the media bombards us with more aggressive promotions that bring promise to eradicating a condition males are least interested to talk about.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes referred to as male impotence, pertains to a sexual condition that is characterized by a male partner’s inability to develop or maintain erection of the penis enough to satisfy his sexual partner.

Various stages are involved during lovemaking, including the initial arousal stage, when blood fills up the sponge-like inside portion of the male sex organ, resulting to its expansion in size and hardening.

Those suffering from erectile dysfunction cannot develop such erection or cannot maintain sustained erection until the completion of the coitus. Studies have shown that there are varying causes for this condition.

Among others, heart conditions, diabetes, trauma and other neurological problems, very low hormonal levels and side effects of certain drugs taken are known to contribute to this sexual dysfunction.

Known Herbal Cures for ED

Despite advances in mainstream medicinal researches, herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction continue to be very popular, especially with their less invasive effects to the general health condition of people with erectile dysfunction. What follows are some of the hottest herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction known so far:

1. Yohimbine – a substance derived from the bark of Yohimbe tree found in Western Africa. The US National Institutes of Health acknowledges that a standardized form of yohimbine is shown to be effective in curing erectile dysfunction. The extract is normally taken orally in pill form. Excessive uses, however, may be dangerous, resulting to hypertension, overstimulation, rapid heart beat and insomnia, among others.

2. Gingko – belongs to a group of irregular non-flowering plants that was able to retain its current structure unchanged through ages. It is sometimes described as a living fossil. Despite conflicting reports about its side effects, gingko is widely regarded to improve blood flow, including microcirculation in capillaries.

3. Maca – a native of high Andes of Bolivia and Peru, it has been long used as a root vegetable and herbal medicine. Maca is believed to help those with erectile dysfunction because of its high contents of protein and other mineral. Other studies suggest that it also contains p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, a chemical suspected of having aphrodisiac properties. A 1997 study conducted by G. Chacon de Popovici reveals those healing powers of maca. Other clinical studies also indicate that extracts from maca helps increase libido and improve semen quality and has helped increase sexual activity upon injection by maca extracts. Norway regards maca as a prescription herbal drug.

4. Damiana – a small shrub that produces small aromatic flowers growing abundantly in the wild in Central and South America. Spanish conquistadores noted that a concoction was drunk by natives to enhance performance during lovemaking. Normally, it is consumed as a tea.

The Little Herb Encyclopedia notes that, aside from improving penile erection, Damiana is also used to treat other diseases, such as low estrogen level, frigidity, pre-menstrual syndrome, inflammation of the prostrate and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

5. Muira Puama – sometimes called as “potency wood”, it is a flowering plant that grows abundantly in the Amazon rainforests. Certain tribes along the Amazon in South America are known to have used its extract as cure for erectile dysfunction. Clinical tests reveal that it contains anxiogenic, a compound that increases anxiety, which is suspected of increasing stimulation of the male sex organ.

I hope that this piece of information on herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction will help those men out there address their sexual dysfunction, despite their hesitance in admitting their condition.

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