Herbal medicine for men

Long term general tonic herbs

Ginseng – Chinese or Korean ginseng – Panax ginseng – is the ‘male orientated’ ginseng which increases male hormone production. It boosts immunity and is used in China for longevity and to treat heart disease and cancer. It should not be used for more than a few days by women, and not by men who are stressed, overheated, overweight, highly energetic or who have headaches, high blood pressure or palpitations.

  • American ginseng – Panax quinquefolium – is a cooler, gentler ginseng that can be used by everyone except those with high blood pressure.
  • Siberian ginseng – Eleutherococcus senticosis – can be used safely long term by everyone. It is used by the Russian Olympic team and by cosmonauts to build stamina and a strong immune system. Many studies have been done on this herb and have shown it to be helpful in regulating blood fats and blood pressure. It is recommended for diabetics, infertility, heart disease, stress, exhaustion, sportsmen and those going through life changes.
  • Indian ginseng – ashwagandha – is a grounding herb, useful with anxiety , which has a rejuvenating effect on glandular and sexual function, stamina and energy.

Not all ginseng products are of equal quality; demand is very high throughout the world, and it is important to be careful when buying. Wildcrafted roots of high quality can cost hundreds of pounds, and there have been several cases of used ginseng roots being sold to be processed into capsules and tablets – these of course have no active constituents.

Herbal alternatives to Viagra – impotence

  • Korean ginseng – increases vascular blood flow – note the cautions above.
  • Gingko – this is the herb of choice if atherosclerosis is the cause as it is in 50% of cases. In one study of 60 men, after 6 months on gingko 30 regained full potency, after a year a further 16 had regained full potency.
  • Sarsaparilla – stimulates testosterone production, also progesterone and natural cortisone. This is good for stamina and recovery after injury or exhaustion.
  • Kelp – a good general tonic for sexual activity.
  • Damiana - is a sexual stimulant which is good in combination with saw palmetto.
  • Garlic, onion and ginger – are all aphrodisiacs and sexual tonics.
  • Saw palmetto – increases genital blood flow
  • Gotu kola – is a nerve tonic which also increases blood flow
  • Nutmeg – is apparently effective for premature ejaculation – although as it is also a sedative it should be taken several hours before bedtime.
  • Ashwagandha – is specific for impotence – safe and non–irritating.

Smoking and impotence have a strong correlation, it seriously impairs penile blood flow.

Fertility

Over recent years chemicals found in the atmosphere, in our houses and in our foods have been implicated in reduced sperm counts and malformed and infertile sperm. Plastics have been particularly implicated.

Important steps to take are:

  • make changes to your environment and diet as much as possible
  • Follow diet and exercise as for prostate problems
  • Use anti stress remedies – herbal, relaxation, and physical
  • Use herbal tonics eg ginsengs

Herbal formulae would include:

  • Adaptogenic tonic, hormone balancing herbs – siberian ginseng, ginseng, liquorice
  • System/ adrenal tonic herbs – damiana
  • Circulatory herbs – hawthorn, gingko
  • Bitter herbs – to improve health via digestion – mugwort, yarrow
  • Sperm count improvers - saw palmetto
  • Alterative herbs with a specificity for the reproductive system – sarsaparilla, raspberry leaf, burdock, saw palmetto.

Prostate health

60% of men between the ages of 40 and 60 have a problem with their prostate gland – there are several steps that can be taken to help with prostate health, the first two should be taken by all men as preventative; when there is a problem then all steps need to be followed.

1) Eat zinc containing foods – this normalises testosterone production –

  • Seaweeds eg kelp, wakame, nori
  • Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
  • Garlic
  • Mushrooms
  • Soya beans
  • Tomatoes – contain the antioxidant lycopene, useful in preventing prostate cancer

2) exercise – both in bed and out to improve the circulation to the area. Also Kegel exercises, which exercise the muscle used to stop urine flow. Sitz baths or hot and cold packs will also improve circulation to the area.

3) As soon as you feel that there is a problem take action with herbs. It is important to act quickly as stagnation in any part of the body is likely to cause a problem. Act as soon as urination starts to get slower due to the urethra getting pinched by a swollen prostate.

Saw palmetto is the best herb for most mens prostate problems. It has a hormonal effect which blocks dihydrotestosterone which is responsible for prostate enlargement. Double blind trials have shown that saw palmetto has significantly :

  • Reduced night time urination
  • Increased urinary flow rate
  • Decreased residual urine left in the bladder

Taken for 12 months, 75% of men showed dramatic improvement. When saw palmetto was combined with nettle the combination was as least as effective as conventional drugs (finasteride) over 12 months, with fewer side effects of reduced libido. The combination of saw palmetto and nettle usually shows results within 4-6 weeks.

Other herbs that can also be used include kidney/bladder herbs such as marshmallow, rehmannia, gravel root, and uva ursi. Liquorice is a helpful anti-inflammatory herb which also protects against prostate cancer, and also acts as a sexual function enhancer. However liquorice should not be taken if you have raised blood pressure.

4) Other measures that must be taken when there is a prostate problem include:

  • Reduce dairy products in diet – these contain oestrogens
  • Reduce or remove tea, coffee, alcohol, sugar, refined foods – these will inflame and irritate the problem.
  • Increase fluid intake – water, barley water, herbal teas
  • Look at other medication – decongestants, antihistamines and antidepressants will turn a partly obstructed prostate into a fully obstructed one.
  • In acute situations where the prostate is hot and inflamed use a clay poultice over the area at night – equal parts bentonite clay, slippery elm, barberry, lavender and aloe gel to make a paste.

There are many measures that can be taken to improve health by yourself – all these herbs are available either from myself or another herbalist. If you have any problems, or feel you need some guidance, please contact me for either a full herbal consultation or just a chat.