Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

Herbal remedies for impotency (erectile dysfunction) help naturally bring back a fading libido. Rhodiola Rosea, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Maca, and Horny Goat Weed are used to treat decreasing testosterone levels, poor libido, and erectile dysfunction. Although available in the market these remedies don’t sell well because of poor labeling and regulation.

What is Impotence?

Impotence is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. This condition is not considered normal at any age and is different from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm.

A much more common problem that affects the majority of men at some point in their life is the occasional failure to achieve an erection, which can occur for a variety of reasons, such as from drinking too much alcohol or from being extremely tired.

Failure to achieve an erection less than 20% of the time is not unusual and treatment is rarely needed. Failure to achieve an erection more than 50% of the time, however, generally indicates there is a problem requiring treatment.

In order to achieve an erection three conditions must occur: The nerves to the penis must be functioning properly; the blood circulation to the penis must be adequate; there must be a stimulus from the brain. If there is something interfering with any or all of these conditions, a full erection will be prevented.

Common causes of Impotence

Causes include diseases that affect blood flow, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); nerve diseases, psychological factors, such as stress, depression, and performance anxiety; and injury to the penis. Chronic illness, certain medications, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease (scar tissue in the penis) can also cause impotence.

For people who are at risk of developing impotence due to personal behavior, such as drinking too much alcohol, steps may be taken to prevent its occurrence. However, other causes of impotence may not be preventable.

The type of medical specialist who treats impotence will depend on the cause of the problem. Based on your family’s medical history as well as your own medical history and current health, your doctor may treat you with oral medications such as Viagra.

Show Emotional Support

Impotence can take a toll on a relationship. It is important to show support and offer encouragement to your loved one with ED. In addition to encouraging your loved one to seek medical treatment for his condition, you can help your partner deal with erectile dysfunction by offering emotional support.

Going Herbal for Impotence

Herbal products have been through the rigorous testing required of FDA-approved drugs. From ginkgo to ginseng, from maca to horny goat weed, natural aphrodisiacs are appealing to an increasing number of people seeking to improve their sex lives.

“More and more people are turning to complementary and alternative treatments for sexual dysfunction.

Herbal Alternatives

Some natural alternatives that are known to have great potential are the following below:

Rhodiola Rosea

A perennial plant that grows in arctic regions of the world, Rhodiola can boost sexual desire in both men and women. It’s also possible, although more study is needed, that it may help premature ejaculation.

While no one knows exactly how the plant improves sexuality, it probably works on the dopamine system in the brain which is very important to sexual functioning and libido.” But there may be other effects, too. It can help people gain a new sense of sexual energy. For women who suffered from menopause, they claimed to have more energy and some said, that the cobwebs are gone!”

Ginkgo Biloba

Best known for boosting mental power, the leaf extract of “the oldest tree is known to man” is also being used to treat impotence in men, increasing the body’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation.

Some studies show that like Viagra, ginkgo enhances the effects of nitric oxide, which helps relax artery walls, allowing more blood flow into the penis.

Ginseng

Like ginkgo, ginseng also increases nitric oxide levels and thus is helpful for erectile dysfunction. But it appears to have an effect on the dopamine system too and this can help women as well as men.

Maca

Maca, a root that grows at high altitudes in Peru, can have powerful effects on desire, erections, and orgasms.

Horny Goat Weed

A species of epimedium, a leafy plant that grows in the wild, usually at higher altitudes, horny goat weed has been said to improve erectile dysfunction in men and libido in both sexes.

Problems with Herbal Medicines

There really isn’t “a lot of data out there. You have to get the right preparation and most people don’t know what that is.”

This is one of the biggest problems with herbal preparations. Because of poor regulation, standardization, and labeling in the herbal industry, there is no way to know if one product will work as well as another.

More importantly, it’s hard to know how much of an active agent is in many unregulated products, he says. Too much can negatively affect not only sexual function but other body functions as well.

Studies Done on Herbal Drugs

Positive studies have been conducted on the use of herbal drugs. One study involved 48 men, each of whom received a capsule at his urology clinic daily for four weeks. Half received the herbal formulation; half received a sugar pill. No one knew who was getting the real thing, so no one could smell or taste the differences.

Nearly 88% of the participants who got ArginMax reported achieving better erections, and 75% said they had an improved sex life overall. Even the placebo group said they had better sex: 18.75% reported improved erections, and 18% reported an overall better sex life during the study. All the patients were checked for blood pressure and appetite changes, but no side effects were detected.

For women having sexual problems, a similar ArginMax formulation is being tested. The trial involved 49 women either nearing or at menopause, all reporting sexual dysfunction. “Across the board, there was a significant increase in sexual satisfaction in the women on the drug compared to the control women. Some 76% of the group on the ArginMax formulation reported improved sexual desire, while 72% had greater satisfaction in their sex lives, 64% had an improved sexual relationship with their partners, 60% had better clitoral sensation, and 52% had more frequent orgasms.

Some tips to handle Impotence as a partner:

Learn as much as you can about impotence.

Knowledge is power, so the more you know, the more you’ll be able to support your partner. When seeking treatment, you and your partner should both agree on a method that best fits your lifestyle.

Let your partner know that he’s not alone.

Remind him that impotence is a fairly common and very treatable medical condition. Impotence is not a reflection on his masculinity or a lack of attraction or desire for you. You should also support your partner in any effort to change his lifestyle (such as encouraging a proper diet, quitting smoking or use of any recreational drugs, etc.) to deal with impotence.

Go with him to see the doctor.

If your partner is agreeable, accompany him when he sees his doctor. This is another way to show that you’re concerned and willing to work with him to treat his condition.

Remind him that there are many options for successful treatment.

If your partner does not succeed initially, encourage him to continue to visit the doctor and explore other options.

As a partner of a man with impotence, you are also affected.

Discuss your feelings

Let your partner know that you care.

Stay positive.

Don’t talk about blame; instead, talk about what you and your partner want and need, and how to achieve it.

Try alternative techniques

Try to obtain sexual satisfaction by finding other ways to obtain and receive pleasure without pressuring your partner to perform.