Impotency and Herbs

By: H.N.Shivaprasad, M. Suresh Gupta, S. Mohan & M.D. Kharya

Sex is a basic instinct like hunger. Sexual activity, however, demands complete concentration and relaxation. It cannot be performed in haste and tension. People who are usually tense and over occupied are unable to follow these norms. Many persons, therefore, suffer from sexual dysfunctions. The most common male sexual dysfunction is impotence.

Most men find it difficult to speak about their problems, especially sexual dysfunctions, there is little discussion about impotence, which is more common than you might think.

Origin for impotency
Until recently, the cause of most impotence was often dismissed as being in the mind. While some specialists still estimate that up to 80 percent of men's sexual dysfunction is linked to their emotions or to unresolved psychological issues, modern research makes such clear-cut distinctions less obvious. Emotions do play a role-we know that testosterone levels can drop from fatigue, depression, overwork, stress and insufficient sleep-but poor circulation and nerve damage also take their toll and can lead to impotence.
Impotence is sometimes caused by prescription drugs, especially some sedative, tranquilizer, ulcer and high blood pressure medications.
It is not just pharmaceutical drugs that are to blame for impotence; many recreational drugs, including heroin, amphetamines and alcohol, also reduce performance. While cocaine and amphetamines do stimulate the nerves that control ejaculation, these drugs can be self-defeating since they also block another set of nerves that control and sustain sexual interest. The result is short-lived performance with little gratification.

About a quarter of impotent men have too much of a pituitary hormone called prolactin. Stress increases prolactin, but the stressed-out man who figures he will relax with a beer should know that the hops (a plant used to flavor beer) in beer slightly increases prolactin, as well as increasing estrogen. This in turn makes testosterone levels drop. In fact, hops may be part of the reason why heavy beer drinkers often experience hormonal shifts and develop enlarged bellies and breasts.

Impotence takes three forms

• There is primary impotence when the man's erectile dysfunction is there from the very beginning of sexual activity and he simply cannot have any erection.
• Secondary impotence is the commonest and this implies that the man can normally attain an erection but fail on one or more occasions in between normal activity.
• The third form is associated with advancing age.

Role of Herbs in impotency
The first step to conquering impotence is to explore natural remedies for relaxation. To cure impotence with herbs is the change many men are making today. They are learning that there is an alternative way to cure impotence by using herbs. Herbs do not have the unpleasant side effects that prescription cures have. 1 in 5 people take an herbal supplement of some type.
The things that decrease your libido also affect your kidneys and sexual organs and how they perform. Many natural remedies have ingredients that are specific to these organs. Several of the herbs taken with a healthy diet can help impotence.

Some vital herbs used in impotency

Garlic:
Garlic is one of the most remarkable home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of sexual impotence. It is a natural and harmless aphrodisiac.

Onion:
Onion is another important aphrodisiac (Improve sexual desire) food, second only to garlic. It increases libido and strengthens the reproductory organs. The white variety of onion is however, more useful for this purpose.

Asparagus:
The dried roots of asparagus are used in ayurveda as aphrodisiac. They are available in the market as safe muesli. Fifteen grams of roots boiled in one cup of milk should be taken twice daily. The regular use of this remedy is valuable in impotency and premature ejaculation.

Drumstick:
A soup made with about 15 grams of drumstick flowers boiled in 250ml milk is very useful as a sexual tonic in the treatment of sexual debility. It is also useful in the functional sterility in both males and females. The powder of the dry bark is also valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation, and thinness of semen.

Ginger:
The juice extracted from ginger is a valuable aphrodisiac and beneficial in the treatment of sexual weakness. For better results, half a teaspoon of ginger juice should be taken with a half boiled egg and honey, once daily at night for a month. It is said to relieve impotency, premature ejaculation, and spermatorrhoea.

Raisins:
Black raisins are useful for restoration of sexual vigor. They should be boiled with milk after being washed thoroughly in water. This will make them swollen and sweet. Eating of these raisins should be followed by 200ml of milk three times daily, the quantity of raisins, should be gradually increased to 50 gm each time.

Ashwagandha:
Sometimes referred to as the Indian Ginseng and "ashwaganda", is the Indian answer to Ginseng for the male libido. It can help treat impotence, male infertility, sexual function, particularly erection problems, 1 teaspoon of root powder twice a day, boiled in milk or water.

Yohimbe:
Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) bark is noted for its effects in overcoming impotence.  The primary action of yohimbe is to increase blood flow to the erectile tissue of the penis with a modest increase in sexual arousal. This will produce results of a harder, firmer erection.

Damiana:
Mexican Damiana (Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca) is an herb used by both sexes for sexual problems such as impotence, frigidity, or exhaustion, as well as sterility. Damiana is thought to slightly irritate the urethra, thereby producing increased sensitivity of the penis.

Gingko biloba:
In addition to its use in increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain, recent evidence indicates that Gingko biloba may be extremely beneficial in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Ginseng:
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is touted as a "sexual rejuvenator." Ginseng has been shown to promote the growth of the testes, increase sperm formation and testosterone levels, and increase sexual activity.

Diet:
Diet is an important factor; to begin with the patient should adopt an exclusive fresh fruit diet. Take fresh fruits and fresh fruit juice twice daily. Concentrate on food like nut, cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk, honey etc. Avoid smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee, all processed canned refined and denatured foods especially white sugar and white flour and products made from them. Do not eat bread with meats and extremely acidic foods. Avoid excessive meats as well, especially cold cuts, processed meats and sausages, which contain a lot of chemicals. The same high fat diet that narrows arteries and blocks flow to the heart also narrows the arteries that carry blood to the penis. Eating smaller, more-frequent meals will add to your energy.

Life style:
A vigorous massage all over the body is highly beneficial in the treatment of impotency as it helps to revive muscular vigor which is essential for nervous energy. The nerves of the genital organs are controlled by the pelvic region. Hence a cold hip bath for ten minutes in the morning or evening is very effective.

About the Authors:

M. Suresh Gupta is a lecturer in Pharmaceutics at PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore. He has worked as officer at Analytical R & D in Dr. Reddy's Lab, Hyderabad. He has developed many analytical methods for natural drugs. He also worked as Research Associate at Glenmark Research Centre, Mumbai.

H.N.Shivaprasad is a lecturer in Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry at PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India. He is the university rank holder at graduate and postgraduate levels. He has worked as Executive, R & D in Himalaya Drugs, Bangalore. He is doing his Doctoral [Ph.D.] research at Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar [M.P].
He has several National and International publications to his credit. He has written many health articles in Health and Fitness section of reputed daily Vijay Times. He has also written many scientific articles to reputed herbal websites. He has been awarded as Best presenter in 55th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, Chennai.
He is the Editor for "Continuing Health Awareness" a fortnightly bulletin which is circulated among all the PES Group of institutions.  He is the reviewer for the prestigious PHARMACOGNOSY JOURNAL [www.phcog.net] 

Dr. S.Mohan is a Principal and Professor in Pharmaceutical chemistry at PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore. He has a vast teaching experience of 30 years.   He has several National and International publications to his credit. He has guided several M.Pharm and Ph.D. students till date. He had the privilege to present scientific papers in International Conferences. He has delivered invited lectures and chaired many scientific sessions in India and abroad.
He was the President of the Association of Pharmaceutical teachers of India, Karnataka State branch and is a life member of several reputed professional and academic organizations.
He is the Editor-in-chief for "Continuing Health Awareness" a fortnightly bulletin which is circulated among all the PES Group of institutions.

Dr. M.D.Kharya is a professor of Pharmacognosy and Dean at Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Hari singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar [M.P], India. He is a member of Senate and Chairman, board of studies, Dr. Hari singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar [M.P], India. He has several National and International publications to his credit. He has more than thirty years of academic experience.
He has guided more than 50 M.Pharm and 10 Ph.D. students. He is a life member of several reputed professional and academic organizations.
He is the President of the Association of Pharmaceutical teachers of India, Madhya Pradesh. He is the Associate editor for Indian Journal of Natural Products.