Herbal ED Treatments

According to the Minnesota Men's Health Center, erectile dysfunction affects 30 million men in the United States. The possibility of experiencing erectile dysfunction increases with age, and 65 percent of men over the age of 65 will experience erectile dysfunction. With large numbers of men facing this problem, the numbers of treatments to relieve the condition have multiplied. The most popular pharmaceutical to correct the condition is Viagra. However, there are herbs and herbal preparations that are useful for this condition.

Condition Profile

• Prior to Viagra's debut in 1998, erectile dysfunction was called impotence. However, impotence also means powerlessness, so there is a negative connotation attached to the term. Erectile dysfunction more accurately describes the condition, and Viagra advertisements used the term extensively. Erectile dysfunction describes the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, and is now a common term. The pharmaceutical industry is busy creating new drugs to treat this widespread problem, but natural remedies have been used for centuries.

Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several causes of erectile dysfunction. The main causes are metabolic disorder, heart disease, clogged arteries, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. Since the key mechanism in achieving and maintaining an erection is blood engorgement of the penis, any conditions that modify or decrease blood flow to the penis can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Psychological and neurological conditions are also credited with causing erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbe

• The medical community accepts yohimbe as a useful herb when treating erectile dysfunction. It is derived from the tree bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe, an evergreen native to West Africa. The active ingredient is yohimbine, and the pharmaceutical form of the herb is yohimbine hydrochloride. This drug preparation has been used in the United States to provide relief from impotency and to relieve symptoms of depression. However, it has decreased in use due to very narrow dosage requirements. If too little of the herb is taken, then it is ineffective; if too much of the herb is taken, then it is toxic. According to the National Library of Medicine, other adverse side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, agitation and nervousness. Many physicians have leaned toward other preparations that are not as problematic.

Ginkgo

• The Mayo Clinic reports that ginkgo can be useful in treating erectile dysfunction because of its ability to increase blood flow to the penis. The main side effect is listed as blood thinning.

Epimedium

• Epimedium is also known as horny goat weed. Historically, Chinese medicine has used this herb to treat erectile dysfunction. According to the Mayo Clinic, horny goat weed may raise levels of thyroid hormone and testosterone. There are no studies on the efficacy of epimedium; however, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this herb is considered the most effective at treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

Warning

• Check with your doctor before self-treating any medical conditions. Advise your doctor of any herbs or supplements you are taking since they may interact with prescribed medications. Be sure to check the FDA website for herbal or natural preparations to avoid.