Herbal alternatives To Viagra due to some side effects men have like headaches, light sensitivity issues, increased blood pressure.
The physical and biochemical processes involved in achieving and maintaining an erection are complex. Some herbs do, in fact, stimulate more than just the imagination.
L-Arginine And Yohimbe Bark
This amino acid-herb duo was shown in a clinical trial to improve erectile dysfunction. L-arginine increases blood flow to the skin and extremities, while the bark of the Yohimbe plant (with its long
folk history in Africa as an aphrodisiac) is a libido enhancer. The combination might take two or three weeks to work, so don’t give up right away if you don’t see immediate results. Take 5000 mg of L-arginine and 30 to 100 mg of Yohimbe bark an hour prior to sex. But be careful if you have a history of mental illnesss — yohimbe may cause anxiety, irritability, or panic attacks.
Gingko Biloba
According to herbalist Brigitte Mars, author of Sex, Love & Health (Basic Health Publications, 2002, this herb helps relax blood vessels for greater sensitivity and better blood fl ow in the sexual organs. Take 120 mg per day of a standardized product.
Korean Red Ginseng And Panax Ginseng
Long revered in China for its ability to boost a man’s libido, recent studies confi rm this herb’s effectiveness.
Firm up your sex life by taking 100 mg two to three times a day.
In a study on the effectiveness of erectile dysfunction and Ginseng, it was found effective only after several weeks of administration. The same study also found no changes in sexual response after acute, short-term ginseng administration. So popping a ginseng capsule an hour before sexual activity probably won’t do much for you.
Horny Goat Weed
As the story goes, the name came from observations by Chinese goat herders that their animals became exceptionally amorous after grazing on this particular shrub. It appears to impact male sexual performance mainly through the actions of a particular flavonoid known as Icariin. Scientists testing alternatives to Viagra® found that a new, modified extract of this aptly named ancient Chinese
herb may treat erectile dysfunction as well as Viagra® with far fewer side effects.
But don’t think of horny goat weed as a quick fix for your next romantic encounter. The herb has traditionally been used to correct the underlying imbalance which leads to impotence, not the erectile
dysfunction itself. Horny goat weed inhibits an enzyme that controls blood fl ow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. Drink as a tea, or take 15 to 30 drops of a standardized tincture, three times a day.
Maca
This plant, nicknamed Peruvian ginseng, has long been used in the Andes to boost energy, stamina, and libido. A study published in the journal Andrologia in 2002 found that Maca improved sexual desire in men aged 21 to 56 who took 1.5 to 3.0 grams for 12 weeks. Though the effects don’t appear to be specifically connected with hormone levels, Maca is an adaptogen that helps the body balance and regulate hormone production.Recommended dose is five to 20 grams of dried maca root daily, or 30 to 40 drops of a tincture three times a day. Read more about Maca here!
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a precursor to testosterone, has been shown to improve erectile function. Testosterone is the most important sex hormone in men and a deficiency can wreak havoc on sex drive. The body’s production of DHEA and, thus, testosterone, slows after age 30. Take 25 to 50 mg daily if a lab test shows you’re not producing enough testosterone.