As part of National Month of Impotence Education I’d like to share some breakthroughs in the treatment of sexual dysfunction with natural herbs. Sex drive in both men and women can be enhanced with herbs, so can longer lasting erections, female lubrication and more intense orgasms all resulting in sexual satisfaction. Herbs are drugs and can interact with other medications you may be taking so always check with your medical doctor to determine if they are right for you. Among the more popular and effective herbs are the following:

Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo is the oldest living tree species on earth for 150 – 200 million years. This Chinese herb is known for relieving tension and anxiety, improving mental alertness, elevating moods and restoring energy, increasing blood flow to the genitals especially for men and improving all age-related problems.  Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most well researched herbs in the world.

Dong-quai – Also known as Chinese Angelica, is primarily used in treating women’s conditions such as loss of sexual desire, PMS and menopause. Women have discovered this 5,000-year-old tradition that naturally provides balancing and normalizing support for women’s unique rhythms, cycles and body systems.  However, it increases the effects of hormones in both men and women, and is also widely used as an aphrodisiac.

Fo-Ti-Tieng – Known as the elixir of long life, this herb has been used for over 2000 years in China to promote relaxation and improve memory, but has become popular as a powerful sexual stimulant. Modern research indicates that this herb contains an alkaloid that has a rejuvenating effect on the nerves, brain cells and endocrine glands.

Muria Puama – Potency Wood is what this powerful herb is affectionately called. A study conducted by the UCLA School of Medicine has shown that use of this herb has produced significant improvement in both erectile function and sexual desire.  This extract is derived from the roots and bark of a little-known Amazonian tree.  It increases blood flow to the pelvic area causing erections and increased sensation, and it enhances the production of sexual hormones.

Yohimbe – This is the only herb listed in The Physicians Desk Reference Book as a natural aphrodisiac for both men and women. This extract is derived from the bark of a large tree that grows in tropical West Africa. Researchers in a Stanford University study investigated Yohimbe’s long time reputation as an aphrodisiac.  The study showed that subjects experienced a 90% increase in sexual desire in less than one hour.

Damiana – This “lover’s herb” contains alkaloids, which stimulate blood flow to the genitals & increase sensitivity. The damiana leaf has been used to boost sexual potency by the natives of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians. Since the 19th century this herb has been used as an overall body tonic to stimulate the circulation of the body which raises energy levels for men and women.

Ginseng (panax ginseng) – The most commonly used type is Chinese Ginseng renowned for increasing sexual vitality. Ginseng is widely used in the United States to boost energy, normalize glucose levels after meals in diabetics, stimulate immune function and treat male impotence.

Epimedium – Also known as “Horny Goat Weed” dates back to at least 400 A.D., where it was used as a tonic for the reproductive system (boosting libido and treating impotence) and as a rejuvenating tonic (to relieve fatigue), as well as for infertility and premature ejaculation. It is believed that Epimedium may be able to restore levels of testosterone and thyroid hormones.

Avena Sativa – Also known as Wild Oat has been used as a natural alternative to Viagra, Cialis and Levitra without the same side effects.  There is some evidence that Avena Sativa is effective for treating impotence and it can increase sexual desire in men and women.  It is a biologically standardized extract of green oats which contain an ingredient that stimulates sexual feelings and behavior in light of such expressions as “feeling your oats” or “sowing your wild oats”.  Historically, the earliest reference to the sexually stimulating effects of oats was found in the German Pharmacopoeia 200 years ago. Researchers at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality discovered that Avena Sativa works by freeing up testosterone, which becomes increasingly bound to various compounds within the body with advancing age.  Freed-up testosterone is more effective in stimulating the sex centers in the brain.  Testosterone is responsible for stimulating sexual activity in women as well as in men.

On a final note, avoid Spanish Fly – Also known as Cantharis Vesicatoria, which are dried, crushed green blister beetles. When they are pressed into powder form, they are sold in capsules and ingested by men who want to improve their erections. On the contrary, Spanish Fly causes painful swelling and irritation of the urinary tract, which used to be mistaken for sexual arousal. Research done in 1996 by the FDA shows that the drug has no so-called sexual effects and it is now illegal in the United States.

For more herbs and aphrodisiacs, take an online certified course from Loveology University at: http://www.loveologyuniversity.com/ShortCourseDetails.aspx?CourseID=32