Male impotence, also called erectile dysfunction, is the inability to have or sustain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. James A. Duke, Ph.D., author of the book "The Green Pharmacy," notes that about 30 million Americans suffer from some form of impotence. Several herbal remedies may be used to treat male impotence.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe is a traditional African aphrodisiac that is derived from the bark of the yohimbe, or rauwolfia, tree, which is native to West Africa. According to James A. Duke, it is a herbal erection enhancer that has been shown to help produce erections in men suffering from psychological impotence and physical erection problems. Today male impotence is treated with yohimbine, an alkaloid extract of the yohimbe herb, which is available as an over-the-counter nutritional supplement and as a prescription drug under the names Yocon, Yohimex and Yovital. Suggested dosage is 5.4 mg three times a day for three to six weeks.
Damiana
Damiana is an aphrodisiac that was used by the ancient Mayan Indians as a sexual stimulant and remedy for male impotence. In a monograph on damiana, Healthwise suggests treating male impotence with damiana herbal tea. Steep 1/4 tsp. of dried damiana leaf in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three cups a day. To use damiana in tincture form, take 2 to 3 ml three times a day.
Muira Puama
Muira puama is a herb that is native to the Amazon, where it has traditionally been used as a sexual stimulant. In their book "Botanical Influences on Illness," Melvin Werbach, M.D., and Michael Murray, N.D., report that muira puma may be an effective remedy for treating loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. They cite the results of a study in which 262 men were administered daily doses of 1/2 to 1 1/4 tsp. of muira puama extract for two weeks. An improvement was reported by 62 percent of men suffering from a loss of libido and 51 percent men with erection problems.
Ginkgo Biloba
According to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine," ginkgo biloba is used as a herbal remedy for male impotence that results from poor blood flow or diabetes-related nerve damage. James A. Duke, suggests taking 60 to 240 mg a day, noting that it may take about six months to show results.
References
- "The Green Pharmacy"; James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 1997
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2004
- Healthwise Knowledgebase: Damiana
- "Viagra for Women for Women's Sexuality"; Thomas J. Rundquist; 2003
- "The Magical and Ritual Use of Aphrodisiacs"; Richard Alan Miller; 1993
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