Herbs for Penis Health

When experiencing problems with penis health and sexual dysfunction many men turn towards plant medicines and alternative health supplements. But how is one to know what works and what is bogus? Many herbal medicines contain penis-specific vitamins and active chemicals and others do not so one would do well to do a little research before purchasing any herbal product. If this important step is omitted then a man can run the risk of wasting money on pills marketed to improve male hormone balance and penis health – but actually do nothing. If you are on prescription medication always check with your healthcare provider before using any form of herbal medication.

Damiana

Damiana is a remedy used to treat impotence and low level libido throughout Mexico and South America. The top of the herb as well as the leaves of the damiana plant are a source of essential oils, flavonoids and small amounts of caffeine. Herbalists have long theorized that the effects of damiana on libido may be due to a direct action on the nervous system as the plant is also known as an anti-depressant. Researchers from the University of Mississippi, USA discovered that damiana also has a significant impact on male hormones and neurotransmitters. During animal testing the damiana extract showed to have an inhibiting action on aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen in the body. By inhibiting aromatase by up to 50%, damiana may increase total testosterone levels.

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most popular and well known plant medicines in the world. Traditional systems of medicine in Asia, India, Europe and North America have harvested the roots of the ginseng plant for its ability to reduce stress and fatigue and to promote virility. In a study funded by Southern Illinois University, USA, scientists found that ginseng had a significant effect on several factors influencing sexual function in men. Ginseng and its active constituents, ginsengosides, have a direct impact on nitric oxide levels, enzymes that control blood flow to the penis during arousal. Ginseng also effects neurotransmitters in the brain and has a beneficial effect on physical performance, fatigue, mood and testosterone balance. These findings support the worldwide use of ginseng root for the successful the treatment low libido and sexual dysfunction.

Horny Goat Weed

Horny Goat Weed is an Asian herbal medicine that has been used for libido and impotence for centuries. Modern studies have confirmed that horny goat weed has a range of active constituents, but the best researched is the chemical known as icariin. In a review of several year’s worth of research published in “The Journal of Ethno pharmacology” scientists from Lanzhou University, China confirmed that both icariin and horny goat weed have a wide range of benefits for both general health and sexual function in men. Icariin works on a range of levels, similar to the drug sildenafil. When taken in high enough doses, icariin reduces depression, increases testosterone, stimulates nitric oxide production and supports blood circulation. In a double-blind clinical trial, 38 male volunteers were either given sildenafil or horny goat weed. And it was found that both these treatments were more effective than placebo in improving sexual dysfunction, but men taking horny goat weed reported a higher level of sexual satisfaction than the men taking sildenafil.

Shea Nut

Shea nuts are harvested in Africa for their use in topical products, as the butter extracted from the shea nut contains large quantities of vitamin E. This makes shea nuts and shea nut butter very effective as a topical treatment for penis health problems. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, heals skin, prevents scarring, and may support erectile function. In a Brazilian study published in “BJU International”, scientists discovered that vitamin E had a potent stimulatory effect on nitric oxide. By increasing nitric oxide levels naturally, shea nut butter may work in similar ways as sildenafil, ginseng and horny goat weed. While oral supplements are absorbed to varying degrees, specialist health crèmes (most professionals recommend Man1Man Oil) contain a range of active ingredients and nutrients that work with vitamin enriched shea nut butter to promote penis health, tissue integrity and male hormone balance.