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There are many herbs and nutrients that can help with problems like erectile dysfunction (ED). Unfortunately, there are also many unscrupulous supplement suppliers that write extremely positive advertising—for products that do very little. Below, I list some nutritional and herbal substances that are either scientifically validated or have extensive folklore attesting to their use. More extensive information and scientific references about these substances can be found in my book “Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life”. Chronic nutrient deficiencies, prescription medications, poor circulation, low testosterone levels, and chronic illness can all cause or exacerbate ED. Substances that can help with ED have several different actions on the body. The listing below shows the common names of some substances that may help with ED. It is divided into several broad categories based on the primary action of the substance. Click on the item name to buy it or for more info.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy for a man suffering from ED to know exactly which substance (or combination of substances) will stand the best chance of helping him. Also, without extensive knowledge of herbology, it is impossible to judge if a particular supplement is properly formulated or its herbal ingredients properly extracted. For example: many “male sexual supplements” on sale today incorporate muria pauma—an Amazonian herb extensively used in South America for its ability to help overcome erectile dysfunction. However, the active principles in this herb are not particularly soluble, and can only be extracted using special processes and alcohol. Thus, supplements containing muria pauma as ground powder provide little to no benefit from this particular herb. Another example is maca. Many male supplements contain it. Maca is extremely nutritious and has a high concentration of amino acids that justify its reputation as a sexual stimulant. However, to be effective, a large amount of maca is needed—far more than is typically contained in a combination supplement. I have met many men with erectile dysfunction, BPH, and prostatitis that have told me they tried several different herbs and nothing worked. Unfortunately, this is typically due to the use of the wrong herb, or the wrong form of an herb. Supplement manufacturers often make claims for their products based solely on herbs in the product—regardless of the quantity used or the method of extraction. Whether this is due to the ignorance of some manufacturers to proper herbal preparation, or a blatant disregard for the truth solely to make a bigger profit, I cannot say. Suffice to say—that it is certainly true of many male sexual enhancement supplements. Such products have virtually no chance of helping—but they are less expensive than properly prepared ones—and many men waste their money trying them. This is where a trained professional herbalist or a natural health practitioner can help. Knowing which herbs are effective and also knowing the correct form of an herb can make the difference between a successful supplement and one that is useless! Unfortunately, many folks learn this the hard way. Male enhancement supplements that work generally combine several of the above herbs and nutrients listed above with different categories of action for the synergistic effect. If properly formulated, such combination products can be very effective. I have found the two below consistently effective.
My clients say they all work well, albeit one might work better than the other for some guys - everybody is different. There are numerous natural substances that
may help reduce problems with erectile
dysfunction. I discuss many of them in more
detail in my book. Considering that ED is often
the first symptom of a more serious health
problem, it is wise to try to correct it at its
source before resorting to prescription drugs.
Copyright © 2007-2009, James Occhiogrosso, N.D., |