| When the makers of a herbal product, reputed to enhance male sexuality, took a survey of 230 its customers, they found that half had used Viagra and that 46 percent were "Viagra refugees" who eschewed the popular prescription drug altogether. With about 30 million men in the US alone affected by erectile dysfunction (ED) Viagra became wildly popular after hitting the market in 1998. But years of use has revealed some undesirable side effects and frustrated users. But there are some alternatives to using the oblong blue pill, writes OutUK Health Correspondent Charles Downey. | |
Herbs To The RescueMakers of the seemingly aptly named herbal mixture, Horney Goat Weed, gave 25 men (13 of whom had taken Viagra) two capsules daily for 45 days or a placebo. Sixty percent said they had more and better sex while 45 percent of the Viagra group said their sex lives were spiced up. Horney Goat Weed contains epimedium grandiflorum, maca pure and mucuan pruriens, among other herbs."Many of these herbs have used for thousands of years to treat ED," says study author Dr. Lamm. Also found on the shelves of health food stores are other folk cures purporting to treat E.D. The powers of some have been verified in recent scientific testing, according to Chris Kilham, author of "Tales from the Medicine Trail." | 
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Says Kilham: "Maca from Peru; Zallouh from Lebanon and Syria, Yohimbe from Africa
and Muirapuama from the Amazon have long histories of treating ED, in some cases,
for 2000 years." Better Man, yet another herbal preparation that promises prosexual
activity has been tested with good results on rats at the University of California,
San Francisco.
Lifestyle ChangesBut perhaps the easiest way to stiffen up a limp noodle with no medications, injections, devices or operations at all might be with just a few lifestyle changes.Dr. Dean Ornish says he has noticed good cure rates for men with erectile dysfunction when he puts them on his programme for reversing heart disease. That regime includes a very low-fat, vegetarian diet, halting smoking and a sensible exercise plan along with stress management. A welcome side effect for many is renewed sexual vigour. "Many guys can reduce or discontinue anti-hypertensive and cardiac drugs that can cause impotence," Dr. Ornish says. "Plus, blocked arteries usually happen in all of a man's arteries. Sometimes, erection problems appear before heart disease is diagnosed." ©EPN | |