Erectile dysfunction, a common theme of clinical medicine for doctors and sexual specialists, is a condition that affects thousands of men worldwide. It is understood as the failure to achieve or sustain a erection that is acceptable for sexual performance. Medical interventions to cure erectile dysfunction are abundant, but some men opt for natural solutions such as essential oils to relieve the problem. Essential oils have been used for centuries for their healing qualities and, more recently, for their likely efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Here we take a look at five essential oils with a documented role in ED treatment and their effects.
1. Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang-ylang essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the Indonesian tree Cananga odorata. It is sweet and floral in fragrance, and was traditionally utilised as an aphrodisiac. Ylang-ylang essential oil contains linalool, geranyl acetate, and beta-caryophyllene, all of which have been reported to be sedating and soothing.
According to a paper in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, ylang-ylang essential oil boosted sexual function and sexual desire in ED men. They believed this effect stemmed from its ability to inhibit stress and anxiety, two defining factors in ED. Ylang-ylang essential oil can be applied by diluting a few drops in carrier oil and applying it to the lower abdomen and inner thighs.
2. Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil is extracted from the petals of the rose plant, Rosa damascena. The oil smells overwhelmingly floral and has long been a staple in conventional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Rose essential oil is rich in citronellol, geraniol, and phenyl ethanol, all of which have been proven to positively influence sexual function.
One report, published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, indicated that rose essential oil had significantly improved sexual function in ED men. It did so, they said, by increasing the circulation and suppressing the inflammation in the genitals. Rose essential oil can be sprayed into a room or mixed with carrier oil and rubbed on the skin.
3. Lavender Essential Oil
One of the most common and versatile essential oils is lavender. The fragrance comes from the flowers of the plant Lavandula angustifolia, and it is very sweet. Lavender essential oil has been utilised for its calm and sedative properties, as well as its sexual healing properties.
One experiment in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that lavender essential oil aided sex and raised testosterone in male rats. The reason it had this effect, researchers suggested, was because it mitigates stress and anxiety, both of which are known to increase the risk of ED. Lavender essential oil can be diffused by inhaling a few drops in a room or sprayed into a warm bath.
4. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is distilled from the heartwood of the Santalum album tree, found in India. It smells woody and sweet, and has traditionally been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and libido-boosting effects. Sandalwood essential oil has compounds like santalol and alpha-pinene that have been shown to have beneficial effects on sexual health.
Sandalwood essential oil improved ED men’s sexual desire and satisfaction significantly, according to a paper in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The researchers attributed this result to the way it elevates testosterone and decreases inflammation in the body. You can diffuse a few drops of sandalwood essential oil into a room, or combine it with a carrier oil and apply it topically.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil:
Mentha piperita, or peppermint, is a European hybrid made by crossing watermint and spearmint. Peppermint leaves and flowers are steam distilled to produce pure peppermint oil. It becomes a favourite in aromatherapy, makeup, food, and drinks because of its cooling and effervescent properties.
The active ingredients in peppermint essential oil are as follows:
Menthol and menthone are the principal active components of peppermint essential oil. Menthol might be responsible for the oil’s analgesic and cooling effect, and menthone for its refreshing and invigorating effects. The vasodilating, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these ingredients could prove therapeutically beneficial to ED.
Peppermint Essential Oil and ED:
While very few research studies link peppermint essential oil to ED directly, we would agree that the active components of the oil induce an improvement in ED symptoms by altering penile blood flow, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Vasodilatory Action: Menthol’s vasodilatory effects may assist in increasing the amount of blood flow to the penis, which is a vital component for erection. In one trial, reported in the Journal of Physiology, applying menthol to the skin opened up the veins, bringing more blood to the site.
Antioxidant Effects: Oxidative stress is responsible for ED formation, so antioxidants may reduce ED symptoms. Other antioxidants in peppermint essential oil might help mitigate oxidative stress: rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. All of these drugs could potentially reduce the symptoms of ED because they inhibit the processes associated with its cause.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: ED is also associated with chronic inflammation. Peppermint essential oil is known to be anti-inflammatory and might help decrease inflammation and ease ED symptoms.
Conclusion:
Simply put, there have been some promising results in the area of using essential oils to treat erectile dysfunction. In the meantime, essential oils don’t replace medicine at all, and that’s crucial. More than anything else, you should see a physician before you intend to begin to use essential oils for healing purposes. You should, however, use only pure, high-quality essential oils and observe strict dilution instructions to prevent side effects. Essential oils, if administered correctly, are a natural way to maintain sexual health and treat erectile dysfunction.
