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Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction-herbs/MC00064
Alternative medicine (1)
- Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
Causes (1)
- Male hypogonadism
Complications (3)
- Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?
- Self-esteem check: Too low, too high or just right?
- Diabetes, prostate cancer and ED
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits
Prevention (1)
- Penis health: Identify and prevent problems
Risk factors (1)
- Senior sex: Tips for older men
Symptoms (1)
- Symptom Checker
Treatments and drugs (5)
- Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications
- Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
- Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: Take control today
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Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
Some herbs claim to help erectile dysfunction. Find out the facts before trying one.
By Mayo Clinic staffErectile dysfunction — difficulty maintaining an erection sufficient for sex — is a common problem. You've likely seen advertisements for erectile dysfunction herbs or supplements to "increase your sexual performance." Could they work for you?
Erectile dysfunction herbs and other natural remedies have long been used in Chinese, African and other cultures. But unlike prescription medications for erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis), erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements haven't been well studied or tested. Some can cause side effects or interact with other medications. And the amount of the active ingredient can vary greatly from product to product.
Here's a quick guide to erectile dysfunction herbs:
| Herbal remedy | Does it work? | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Studied in people, positive results, generally safe | ||
| DHEA | Some evidence shows that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases libido in women and helps erectile dysfunction in men. | DHEA appears to be safe at low doses. It can cause acne. |
| L-arginine | Some evidence shows that taking high doses improves erectile dysfunction by stimulating blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. | Side effects may include nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Don't take L-arginine with Viagra. |
| Ginseng | One study of Panax ginseng showed it improved sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. A cream preparation is used for premature ejaculation. | Panax ginseng contains many active ingredients. It appears to be safe used on a short-term basis. Insomnia is a common side effect. |
| Studied in people, positive results, risky | ||
| Yohimbe | A number of clinical trials have shown that the primary component of this bark from an African tree can improve sexual dysfunction associated with a drug used to treat depression. | This herb has been linked to a number of side effects, including increased blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, and anxiety. Yohimbe shouldn't be used without a doctor's supervision. |
| Not studied in people or negative results | ||
| Ginkgo | Ginkgo has potential to increase blood flow to the penis. But there's no evidence of benefit for erectile dysfunction. | Ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Horny goat weed (epimedium) | Substances in the leaves of this herb have been used to improve sexual performance, but the herb has not been studied in people. | This herb might lower blood pressure. |
Be wary of 'herbal Viagra'
A number of nonprescription products claim to be herbal forms of Viagra. Some of these products contain unknown quantities of potent ingredients similar to those in prescription medications, which can cause dangerous side effects. Some actually contain the real drug that should be given by prescription only. Although the Food and Drug Administration has banned many of these products, some potentially dangerous erectile dysfunction remedies remain on the market.
Be cautious and talk to your doctor
Just because a product claims to be natural doesn't mean it's safe. Many herbal remedies can cause side effects and dangerous interactions when taken with certain medications. Talk to your doctor before you try an herbal treatment for erectile dysfunction — especially if you're taking medications or you have a chronic health problem such as heart disease or diabetes.
- Martin KA. Treatment of male sexual dysfunction. http://www.uptodate.com/ index. Accessed Dec. 10, 2012.
- Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..C2009-0-38984-9--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&about=true&uniqId=236797353-5. Accessed Dec. 10, 2012.
- Bauer BA. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:166.
- DHEA. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- Horny goat weed. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- Ginkgo. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- Ginseng, Panax. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- Yohimbine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- L-arginine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
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