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Herbal Testosterone

Nov 13, 2010 | By Michele Kadison

Testosterone governs libido in both men and women. As we age, testosterone levels decrease, which can increase the risk of various health problems, according to Life Extension Magazine. In men, testosterone is responsible for healthy sperm, with levels peaking during the late teens into the early 20s and declining thereafter. Ultimately, testosterone becomes less available to receptors in the genitals, nerves, brain, and muscles. As men age, estrogen levels often increase, creating an imbalance that can interfere with libido.

Herbal Treatments for Testosterone Function

According to Natural-hormones.net, using herbs to treat a testosterone imbalance can be an effective and noninvasive way of restoring the body's equilibrium. Although most herbs do not cause side effects, it is always important to discuss an herbal protocol with your doctor or health care practitioner before embarking on treatment.

Benefits of Muira Puama

Also known as "potency wood," muira puama is an herb that grows in the Amazon jungles and Brazilian rainforest, according to Natural News. Used by local herbalists for centuries as a tonic and aphrodisiac, muira puama's stems and roots contain testosteronelike properties that help to enlarge the penis while increasing energy, according to the online site, Wellness.com. As documented in Life Extension Magazine, in a study at the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France, reported in the November 1994 issue of the American Journal of Natural Medicine, 242 men unable to maintain erections and lacking sexual drive were treated with the herb. After two weeks, 52 percent with erectile dysfunction reported that muira puama was beneficial and 62 percent with low libido reported that the herb had a dynamic effect on their performance.

Using Maca to Balance Testosterone

Growing high in the Andes Mountains in South America, maca comes from a root that has been used there for decades to modulate endocrine function and assist with hormonal balance by addressing testosterone issues, according to Drug Information Online. A member of the radish family, maca is used for sexual disorders because of its isothiocyanate content, which functions like an aphrodisiac while helping to raise testosterone levels. The same source reports that maca has been found to increase the amount of sperm per ejaculation as well as the volume of semen.

Tribulus Terrestris and Testosterone Levels

According to Herbal Excel, tribulus terrestris has been used in Indian Ayruvedic medicine for centuries as a tonic for regulating libido. A flowering plant grown in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, it is also known as goathead, yellow vine, and caltrop. Bodybuilding.com reports that tribulus terrestris contains steroidal saponins that stimulate the natural production of testosterone. The herb contains the chemical protodioscin, or PTN, which increases hormone levels to provide a boost to the sex drive by relaxing smooth muscles and increasing blood flow to the penis. In this regard, tribulus terrestris can be effective in cases of erectile dysfunction.

Nettle for Increasing Free Testosterone

For testosterone to function properly, it needs to circulate in its free form in the bloodstream, unbound to serum proteins. Life Extension Magazine reports that nettle is an herb that helps increase the body's levels of free testosterone. Nettle contains compounds that inhibit certain enzymes from converting testosterone to DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, which can stimulate prostate gland growth and adversely affect sexual drive. In this regard, the herb has been used in Germany for decades to treat enlarged prostate glands, because of its ability to inhibit DHT from binding to attachment sites on the prostate membrane. Nettle also helps to increase the level of active steroid hormones, thus stimulating libido.

Stimulating Endocrine Glands with Fo Ti

The Chinese herb fo-ti, also known as Hoshou Wu, has been used as an aphrodisiac and to promote longevity for centuries. According to ancient Chinese herbal lore, the Chinese herbalist Chung Yun lived to the ripe age of 256 years old and had 24 wives along the way, largely because of consuming fo-ti every day of his life. Whether this is true or not, it makes for an excellent anecdote. Herbal Wisdom reports that the herb contains an alkaloid that stimulates and rejuvenates the endocrine glands, helping to increase testosterone levels and thus enhance libido and performance.

References

Article reviewed by Mike Myers Last updated on: Nov 13, 2010

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