Herbs for Male Sexual Health

Amla: Also known as Indian Gooseberry, the Amla fruit contains 20 times more natural Vitamin C than oranges. Studies show that Amla possesses anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-viral, digestive, mild laxative, hypotensive, hypocholesterimic, adaptogenic and alterative properties. This herb is traditionally used for anemia, asthma, bleeding gums, diabetes, general cold, chronic lung disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and yeast infections.

Anacyclus Pyrethrum (Akarkara ): The main active components in this herb are essential oils and an alkaloid called Pyrethrin. It is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory, tonic, stimulant, aphrodisiac and a spermatogenic. It is also used for nervous disorders, impotency and premature ejaculation.

Ashwagandha: Pharmacological research shows that Ashwagandha is an adaptogen and an immune system modulator possessing anti-stress, anti-epileptic, cytoprotective, tumoricidal, emmenagogic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, sedative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and amebicidal activities. Primary constituents of this herb include alkaloids, steroidal lactones and withanolides.

Bacopa Monnieri: Bacopa is known to have neuroleptic, anti-tumor, immuno-stimulant, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsing, anti-mycobacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, cholinesterase inhibitory, CNS depressant, convulsant, respiration inhibitory, spasmogenic, tranquilizing, cytotixic, hypotensive, neuromuscular blocking and psychotropic actions.

Bala (Sida cordifolia): Bala contains sterculic, malvalic acids, coronaric acids, fatty acids, ephedrine, palmitic acid, stearic acid, hexacosanoic acid and B- sitosterol. Traditionally, it is used for dystentery, urinary problems, cystitis, strangury, hematuria, hemiplegia, sciatica and facial paralysis.

Colchicum: This plant is found to contain colchicines, colchiceine, tannic acid, Gallic acid, starch, sugar and gum. Traditionally used for rheumatism, gout and disease of the liver and spleen, it is also known to have alterative and asperient activities. Colchicine, an active constituent of colchicum has been used for Peyronie’s disease with good success.

Licorice: Main active components of licorice are glycrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic acid, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, chalcones, coumarins, triterpenoids, sterols, starch, sugars, lignans, aminoacids, amines, gums and volatile oils. Licorice has estrogenic, aldosterone- like, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-trichomonas, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-convulsive, choleretic, anti-cancer, expectorant and anti-cough activities.

Mucuna Pruriens: Also known as “Kavach”, this herb contains four alkaloids: mucunine, mucunadine, prurienine and preurieninine. Resin, tannin, fat and traces of manganese are also present. Research has shown that mucuna seeds have dopamine, glutathione, lecithin, gallic acid and glucodides. Traditionally, Mucuna has been used to support the nervous system for renal infection and dropsy. It has diuretic, stimulant, purgative and emmenagogue effects.

Muira Puma: This native Brazilian plant is considered a powerful aphrodisiac and nerve stimulant in South American folk medicine.

Pipli (Piper longum): Active constituents in this plant are piperine, piplartine sesamin and piplasterol. Research has shown it also contains piperlonguminin, steroids and glycosides. Traditionally used for diseases of the respiratory tract, muscular pains and inflammation, Pipli also works as a cholagogue and helps with gall bladder problems and helps increase the absorption of other herbs.

Saffron: Saffron is shown to have aphrodisiac, stomachic, slightly anodyne and anti-spasmodic, and emmenagogue activities.

Shilajeet: Traditionally used in Ayurved for genitourinary infections, diabetes, bronchial asthma and considered a potent health promoting agent and aphrodisiac.

Talamakhana (Hygrophila Spinosa): Found to contain phytosterols, nitrogen, albuminoids, alkaloids, essential oils, myristic, palmitic, stearic and linolic acids, Talmakhana is traditionally used as a tonic, a diurietic, a demulcent, a refrigerant and an aphrodisiac.

Tribulus: Known as Gokshur in Ayurveda, Tribulus is a fruit that contains sapogenins, diosgenin, giogenin, chlorogenin, and ruscogenin. The leaves from this plant are rich in calcium, and the plant is traditionally used for urinary tract infections, stomach pain and as a lithotriptic. It also has diuretic, aperient and stimulant activities. In number of animal studies Protodiosin, an active principle in Tribulus has improved sexual desire and enhanced erection via conversion to DHEA.