Tribulus terrestris
Men may potentially face a number of reproductive issues, including impotence, loss of libido, and prostate problems. The use of some common herbs—and some exotic ones as well—can help improve both performance and reproductive health.
The male reproductive system is comprised of the testicles, which produce sperm and testosterone; the penis, which ejaculates semen; and the prostate gland, which secretes a fluid that nourishes the sperm and is released as semen. A urologist oversees any disorders concerning the function of these organs, but medical treatments for sexual impotence or infertility can be augmented with herbal remedies, as can some benign prostate concerns.
IMPOTENCE
Decreased sexual function or lowered libido in men may be caused by age, disease, medications, stress, or emotional issues. A number of herbal supplements have a long history of successfully addressing these problems, but should be discussed with a physician prior to inclusion in a treatment plan.
Tribulus terrestris
Return of Vigor: In a clinical study, an ayurvedic herb called Tribulus terrestris L. was effective for increasing sexual desire and enhancing erections. It may work by increasing levels of a male hormone, DHEA. Another exotic herb found in Arabic medicine is ferula asafoetida. In a group study its extracts were able to revive libido and potency in 60 percent of participating men. Red ginseng contains the active compound saponin, which may account for its long history of restoring sexual desire and vigor and increasing patient satisfaction. Ginkgo biloba is known as a brain booster, but it may also help alleviate the sexual dysfunction often caused by antidepressant medications.
INFERTILITY
It’s a delicate matter, determining who is at fault when a couple cannot conceive. In one in five couples, the man is the culprit. One in twenty men has a low sperm count, a surprising one in a hundred men has no sperm in his semen. This could be due to lack of production or to poor transport. Other issues that affect fertility may be the inability to maintain an erection, a blockage between the testes and penis, low levels of pituitary hormones, or sperm antibodies.
Restore Virility: Aside from recommended physical accommodations—avoiding hot baths, tight underwear, and alcohol—men with low sperm counts can combat free radicals, which can damage sperm, by increasing their intake of supplements that contain antioxidants, especially beta-carotenes such as vitamins A, C, and E, and selenium and zinc. Herbal supplements such as saw palmetto, muira puama, ginkgo biloba, and Rhodiola rosea should be taken for at least three months—the time it takes sperm to form.
Natural Viagra, muira puama
PROSTATE HEALTH
As men age, their prostate glands may become enlarged, causing urinary issues. These can include urgency, frequency, difficulty voiding, burning, and leakage. Medical intervention often requires medication that may help to shrink the prostate, while saw palmetto berry extract can reduce prostate size by altering certain hormone levels. An effective tea can be made by pouring a pint of boiling water over 1/8 cup of watermelon seeds and letting it steep before straining and drinking. Other proven aids include stinging nettle, African plum tree bark (pygeum), garlic extract, and the multi-herb remedy beta-sitosterol.
Pygeum bark herb
DIY: The Facilitators