Erectile dysfunction is a condition that impacts an enormous number of men across the world. It is defined as the failure to attain or retain a erection that is hard enough for sex. While many medicines exist for ED, herbs are preferably considered to be the natural remedy for male erectile dysfunction. Here, in this essay, we talk about five herbs that have been traditionally used for erectile dysfunction.
1. Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng (or Korean red ginseng) has been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to help cure a wide range of diseases, including ED. The plant is said to promote sexual performance through the creation of more nitric oxide, which expands blood vessels and promotes flow to the penis. Panax ginseng, for example, has been found to greatly enhance erectile function in men with ED. It comes in a supplement form and can be taken once a day for long-term use.
2. Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed, or Epimedium, is a herb that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat sexual dysfunction. It’s loaded with a compound called icariin, which was shown to work in the same way Viagra does, boosting the flow of blood to the penis and increasing erectile function. In one experiment involving men with mild to moderate ED, Horny Goat Weed increased erectile function in 60 per cent of participants. This herb can be used as a supplement or as a tea.
3. Yohimbe
Yohimbe is a shrub native to western and central Africa, and its bark has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for treating various ailments such as ED. The active ingredient in Yohimbe is yohimbine, an alkaloid known to be an aphrodisiac.
In an abstract, the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggested that Yohimbe might enhance sexual function in men with ED, particularly moderate to mild ED. In addition, a 2014 paper in the journal Urology found that Yohimbe helped men with ED due to organic causes. Note: Several researchers suggest Yohimbe can help to enhance sexual function in ED men.
The mechanism for Yohimbe’s effects in alleviating ED appears to involve its capacity to both increase nitric oxide levels and to inhibit the function of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors that are activated by penile smooth muscle contractions. By promoting nitric oxide and inhibiting the function of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, Yohimbe could boost blood flow to the penis and support the formation of an erection.
4. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba, the maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest living trees on Earth. For millennia, conventional medicine used this herb to treat certain conditions: memory loss, tinnitus and depression. More recently, it has also been investigated for possible uses in ED treatments.
Ginkgo Biloba contributes to ED in one way by increasing blood flow. It is supposed to stretch the blood vessels and help the circulation, as well as improve erections. Not only that, Ginkgo Biloba is also believed to be an antioxidant, due to its ability to defend the body against possible destruction due to free radicals. This could contribute to improving general blood flow which is of paramount importance in maintaining the erection.
A second way Ginkgo Biloba could aid ED is by increasing nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide is a natural chemical that helps to relax the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum, the sponge-like tissue that makes up the majority of the penis. Slack muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum increases blood supply to the penis and thus facilitates erections.
A number of studies have confirmed Ginkgo Biloba as an alternative to ED treatment. In one such study, Ginkgo Biloba significantly outperformed a placebo in restoring erectile function in patients with ED. One of them had appeared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, where Ginkgo Biloba was used to relieve erectile dysfunction in men suffering from ED following drug treatment with SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, an antidepressant.
What should be noted is that while Ginkgo Biloba has shown promising results in trials, it is not a cure for ED and more studies are required to establish its full effects. In addition, the plant should not be taken in place of prescription ED medications without consultation with a physician.
You should never begin taking Ginkgo biloba for ED without first consulting with a health professional. They can evaluate whether or not the medication is appropriate and safe for you, how much you should take, and even keep an eye on any possible side effects such as headaches, stomach pain or skin rash.
5. Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris grows mainly in tropical and temperate climates, from southern Europe and Asia to Africa and Australia. It has been used in conventional medicine for hundreds of years for a wide range of conditions, including ED. The active ingredients in Tribulus Terrestris are steroidal saponins, the most prevalent and biologically active of which is protodioscin.
Several studies reported that Tribulus Terrestris could help restore sexual function in men with ED. In one study, Tribulus Terrestris extract significantly improved sexual function in men with mild to moderate ED, as reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. A separate study in the journal Andrologia showed that Tribulus Terrestris boosted erectile function in ED men who had low testosterone.
The exact mechanism by which Tribulus Terrestris promotes ED remains elusive. But it is thought to boost levels of nitric oxide, a compound that is essential for relaxation of penile smooth muscle and the formation of an erection. In addition, Tribulus Terrestris increases testosterone levels and possibly contributes to its anti-ED effect.
Conclusion:
In short, though various medicines are used to treat erectile dysfunction, some men may want to experiment with herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction at home. Yet one must seek medical advice before administering an herbal remedy as herbs can interfere with some drugs and may be harmful to certain individuals. A second thing to remember is that herbs tend to linger in the making before the results can be discerned; patience, then, is a precious virtue. With the right herbal remedies and guidance, an ED man will seek relief and behave sexually normally as normal.
