Premature ejaculation is often a subjective self-assessment, although it generally infers a male orgasm either before or soon after penetration of the vagina. According to "Professional Guide to Diseases," premature ejaculation is the most common male sexual dysfunction, occurring in over 25 percent of U.S. men. Causes can include anxiety, guilt, excitement and overactive imagination relating to intercourse. Treatments often focus on psychological advice, distraction methods and topical anesthetic creams, although herbal remedies can help control premature ejaculation. As with any medical condition, you should consult a doctor before embarking on any herbal regime.
Angelica Root Oil
The roots of the herbal plant, angelica, can be used to make a medicinal oil or cream that is directly applied to the skin of the penis. Angelica produces a slightly numb effect, similar to topical anesthetic creams, and is touted as a very effective treatment for premature ejaculation if you experience oversensitivity during intercourse.
Clove Oil
Cloves can be crushed and made into oils and applied to the penis; it provides warming and numbing effects. Creighton University School of Medicine cites that clove oil applied to the penises of rats reduced premature ejaculation in one study, although human trials of premature ejaculation and clove oil used additional herbal ingredients so the "cause and effect" could not be as clearly determined.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another herbal liquid that can be applied to the penis prior to intercourse. Peppermint oil or cream can produce some numbness when applied to the skin, but the menthol within it often causes a tingling sensation that distracts the nervous system from other nerve stimuli. For this reason, you can use peppermint oil on painful muscles and tendons for short-term relief as well.
Winter Cherry
Also referred to as ashwagandha in Indian ayurvedic medicine, this herb has been used for centuries to help men with sexual problems, including increasing physical stamina, enhancing libido, improving erections and treating premature ejaculation, according to "The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World's Oldest Healing System."
Salab Mishri
A popular herb among homeopathic practitioners, Salab mishri is often used to increase and maintain blood circulation to the penis, causing a stronger erection, although it has been shown to enhance sperm count, improve sexual stamina and reduce the occurrence of premature ejaculation too.
Wild Yam
Because anxiety is a factor in premature ejaculation, herbal remedies that increase serotonin levels, the hormone responsible for "feeling good," can be helpful. Wild yam is one such remedy and can be applied as a cream, consumed naturally or taken as a supplement. Wild yam increases serotonin levels in the brain and can delay orgasms if you suffer from anxiety or nervousness, as cited in "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine."
Passion Flower
Passion flower, although not proven to increase passion despite its name, does produce feelings of calmness, which can also be of help to men who have experienced premature ejaculation because of anxiety and stress during intercourse. Premature ejaculation can be caused by medical conditions needing attention from your doctor, so consultation should be considered before any supplementation regime begins.
References
- Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- Creighton University School of Medicine: Cloves Research
- The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World's Oldest Healing System; Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa; 2009
- Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine; David Hoffmann; 2003
