According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 30 million men in the United States suffer from erectile dysfunction. Several pharmaceutical options have become available to treat erectile dysfunction, with Viagra being one of the more popular choices. While Viagra seems to work in many cases, there are more natural herbal substitutes for those who don't want the potentially negative side effects of Viagra. As with any supplement, you should consult your health-care provider before taking anything.
Yohimbe
A sexual enhancer found in South Africa, yohimbe has been shown to possibly correct impotence. A purified form of the herb, called yohimbine, is FDA-approved and available by prescription.
Catuaba & Muira Puama
The powdered bark of these two trees, which are found in the Amazon rain forest, are commonly used together. They have been used for centuries by Brazilian natives to increase libido and sexual stamina.
Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed)
This not-so-subtly named herb has been used in China for thousands of years to increase sexual desire and to correct impotence. It's China's version of Viagra, and can be found in capsule form in many health food stores.
Tongkat Ali
A study conducted by the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Manipal, India, concluded that this herb considerably increases sexual activity, possibly tenfold, by stimulating testosterone production. Mucuna Pruriens can improve libido and delay premature ejaculation after three to four weeks of use.
Maca Root
Known as Peru's alternative to Viagra, maca root has been shown to boost sexual desire while correcting erectile dysfunction. The herb is known to be very fast-acting, and is typically used as an extract in foods and drinks.
Ashwagandha
This herb can help restore sexual health, and was mentioned in the ancient "Kama Sutra" as an herb that heightened sexual experiences.
Ginkgo Biloba
Universally known to boost memory, a University of California study found that ginkgo biloba reversed sexual problems in 84 percent of men who were taking medication for depression. The reason? Ginkgo helps to increase blood flow throughout all parts of the body.
L-Arginine
This herb also enhances blood flow. In a 1999 Tel Aviv University study, "Effect of Oral Administration of High-dose Nitric Oxide Donor L-Arginine in Men with Organic Erectile Dysfunction," J. Chen and colleagues reported that 31 percent of men showed improvement of their impotence within six weeks of taking this supplement.
Fo-Ti
Found in many Viagra alternatives, this herb was used in ancient China to reverse impotence.
Products
There are a wide variety of products available that are made with blends of the above-mentioned herbs and extracts. You may find, though, that purchasing individual herbs may be more helpful than the blends offered in most supplements.
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