According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), somewhere between 15 and 30 million men around the world suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable to sustain a firm erection for a long enough period to have sexual intercourse. ED can strike at any time but it most frequently occurs in older men. Persistent problems with ED can contribute to low self-esteem and may cause relationship problems. There are a variety of herbal remedies that may help treat ED.
Causes
A variety of medical conditions may contribute to erectile dysfunction. They include high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Certain lifestyle factors such tobacco use and excessive consumption of alcohol can also play a role in ED.
Sometimes psychological issues (depression, stress) can cause problems with achieving and maintaining an erection.
Gingko
Ginkgo (an Asian tree also known as ginkgo biloba) may increase blood flood to the penis and offset the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. But the Mayo Clinic says further research is needed to verify its usefulness in the treatment of ED. Gingko may cause thinning of the blood, which can raise the risk of bleeding.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an age-old Chinese medicine that has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions and may also help treat erectile dysfunction. Ginseng is not associated with any major side effects unless it is taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant, in which case it could trigger mania.
Yohimbe
The herb yohimbe comes from the bark of the African yohimbe tree. It may be particularly beneficial when erectile dysfunction is psychologically based. Doctors occasionally prescribe a pharmaceutical yohimbe preparation to treat ED. There are several potential side effects associated with yohimbe. They include headaches, dizziness and high blood pressure.
Epimedium
Epimedium (also known as horny goat weed) is another ancient Chinese medicinal herb. It is thought to aid in increasing testosterone (a potent androgenic hormone produced primarily by the testes) and thyroid hormone levels. Difficulty breathing is one possible side effect of epimedium when taken in high doses.
Herbal Viagra
Since Viagra hit the market in the last decade to treat ED, several over-the-counter products have been promoted as "herbal" Viagra. The Mayo Clinic says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned a number of these products, (Viril-Ity-Power (VIP) Tabs, V.Max and Rhino Max) that may have contained ingredients comparable to prescription-strength Viagra. Despite the ban, a few of these possibly unsafe erectile dysfunction treatments continue to be sold.
Outlook
As with prescription ED treatments, herbal remedies may cause side effects and have potentially risky interactions when taken with other drugs. Be sure to consult with your doctor before taking herbal supplements to treat erectile dysfunction. Keep in mind that ED can be associated with an underlying medical or psychological condition that may need treatment.
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