There are Natural herbs for Erectile Dysfunction that really work

Erectile dysfunction has been defined by the National Institutes of Health as the inability to achieve and/or to maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. It may result from psychological or physical causes.
   For many years patients relied on prescription medications for erectile dysfunction treatment. There is now a growing number of people who are choosing effective herbs and supplements. Many herbs provide a natural alternative to erectile dysfunction drugs. One effective product for sexual enhancement in a male or female is Passion Rx.

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How quickly does Passion Rx improve sexual pleasure?
Passion Rx provides sexual enhancement in a man sometimes noticed within a day or two, but most often fully appreciated over several days of use. Our feedback thus far indicates more than 80% of users notice a powerful libido enhancement by the end of the week, and higher by the end of two weeks.

Click here to learn about the ingredients in this product, or to buy Passion Rx, tongkat ali, tribulus terrestris, muira puama, horny goat weed, maca, and additional herbs that increase sexual pleasure and performance. Plus: subscribe to a highly popular FREE supplement research newsletter. We discuss natural ways to treat erectile dysfunction with herbs and supplements

Passion Rx enhances:
Libido and sexual thoughts
Dilation of blood vessels
Orgasms and climaxes 
Sensation of genital organs in men and women

Caution: Erectile dysfunction can be due to physical (or organic) causes (from high blood sugar, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, medication use), or due to psychological causes (from marital problems, stress, lack of confidence, insecurity, guilt, memories of poor performance in the past). All men with physical Erectile dysfunction, particularly older men who are more likely to have physical Erectile dysfunction than younger men, need a medical evaluation, detailed cardiac assessment, blood pressure measurement, lipid profile and blood sugar tests, as well as lifestyle advice regarding weight management, diet improvement, smoking cessation, sleep quality improvement, stress reduction, and exercise. If you have erectile dysfunction, make sure to have a full medical evaluation before starting therapy, whether with an herbal product or a drug. Some herbs are very potent and have a tendency to accelerate heart rate or increase blood pressure which may not be well tolerated by those who have cardiac or cardiovascular problems. Even though herbs are safer than prescription medications, they do have side effects in high doses. There is a higher rate of heart disease in men with physical erectile dysfunction.

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Treatment with Erectile dysfunction herbs
There are countless herbs and natural products that are helpful as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Below you will find a few examples of recent studies.

Ginseng erectile dysfunction herb
Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Asian J Androl. 2007 Mar;9(2):241-4. Sector of Sexual Medicine, Division of Urological Clinic of Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A total of 60 patients presenting mild or mild to moderate erectile dysfunction were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which the efficacies of Korean Red Ginseng and a placebo were compared. The patients received either 1,000 mg (3 times daily) of Korean Red Ginseng or a placebo. The data show that Korean Red Ginseng is an effective male erectile dysfunction herb.

Icariin as erectile dysfunction remedy - icariin is found in horny goat weed herb
Effects of icariin on erectile function and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in castrated rats.
Asian J Androl. 2005 Dec;7(4):381-8. Andrology Center of Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100009, China.
We investigated the effect of icariin on erectile function and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in castrated rats. Oral treatment with icariin ( 98.6 % purity) for 4 weeks potentially improves erectile function. This effect is correlated with an increase in percent of smooth muscle and the expression of certain nitric oxide synthase in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats. These results suggest that icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.

Maca erectile dysfunction herb - the brand used was MacaPure
Effect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats.
Urology. 2000 Apr;55(4):598-602. Zheng BL, He K, Kim CH, Rogers L, Shao Y, Huang ZY, Lu Y, Yan SJ, Qien LC, Zheng QY. Pure World Botanicals, Inc., South Hackensack, New Jersey, USA.
To determine the effect of oral administration of a purified lipidic extract from Lepidium meyenii (MacaPure M-01 and M-02) on the number of complete intromissions and mating in normal mice, and on the latent period of erection (LPE) in rats with erectile dysfunction. Mice and rats were randomly divided into several experimental and control groups. A 10% ethanol suspension of MacaPure was orally administered for 22 days. Oral administration of MacaPure enhanced the sexual function of the mice and rats, as evidenced by an increase in the number of complete intromissions and the number of sperm-positive females in normal mice. The present study reveals maca is an aphrodisiac and can be considered an erectile dysfunction herb.

Paullinia pinnata erectile dysfunction herb
Paullinia pinnata extracts rich in polyphenols promote vascular relaxation via endothelium-dependent mechanisms.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;47(4):599-608. Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France.
Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) is an African tropical plant whose roots and leaves are used in traditional medicine for many purposes, especially for erectile dysfunction. P. pinnata root and leaf methanolic extracts are rich in phenolic compounds. Paullinia pinnata extracts induce arterial relaxation, indicating that this arterial relaxation was mediated by endothelial nitric oxide release.

Diet and erectile dysfunction
Dietary factors in erectile dysfunction.
Int J Impot Res. 2006 Jul-Aug;18(4):370-4. Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Naples SUN, Piazza Miraglia, Naples, Italy.
We investigated the relation of the Mediterranean diet with erectile dysfunction. A total of 100 men with erectile dysfunction were compared with 100 age-matched men without erectile dysfunction. In analyses adjusted for the prevalence of associated risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia), body mass index, waist, physical inactivity and total energy intake, the intake of fruits and nuts, and the ratio of monounsaturated lipids to saturated lipids remained the only individual measures associated with erectile dysfunction. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that dietary factors may be important in the development of ED: adoption of healthy diets would hopefully help preventing erectile dysfunction.

Mediterranean diet improves erectile function in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.
Int J Impot Res. 2006 Jul-Aug;18(4):405-10. Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Naples SUN, Piazza Miraglia, Naples, Italy.
Men with the metabolic syndrome demonstrate an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction. In the present study, we tested the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on erectile dysfunction in men with the metabolic syndrome. After 2 years, men on the Mediterranean diet consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and olive oil as compared with men on the control diet. Endothelial function score and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) improved in the intervention group, but remained stable in the control group. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective per se in reducing the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with the metabolic syndrome.

How common is erectile dysfunction?
Data from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study has indicated that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction of any degree is 50% in men between the ages of 40 to 70 years.

Erectile dysfunction treatment
Treatment for erectile dysfunction can be achieved by the use of prescription drugs or natural supplements. However, it is important to review causes of erectile dysfunction as discussed below. Sometimes eliminating the cause make erectile dysfunction treatment unnecessary.

Q. I have difficulty with erection and I am looking for an erectile dysfunction treatment. I am not sure whether to just start an erectile dysfunction drug such as Levitra, or to try natural supplements.
   A. We think it is worthwhile to try erectile dysfunction herbs initially as a treatment, and if that fails then resort to drugs.

Understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be classified simply under two headings. Psychological erectile dysfunction: that is, mental; or Organic erectile dysfunction: that is, due to some form of physical or medical problem. Organic erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men get older.

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
The causes of psychological erectile dysfunction are numerous, and it is difficult to list them all, but most often erectile dysfunction is related to depression, performance anxiety, marital stress or relationship problems, marital boredom, life crisis, financial difficulties, religious repression, or some type of mental illness. Improving erectile dysfunction in these cases may require addressing the underlying causes.

Organic causes of erectile dysfunction
There are four major causes of organic erectile dysfunction: Vascular, Neural, Hormonal, and Drug-induced. The type of erectile dysfunction determines the treatment approach. Fore more research on Erectile dysfunction causes.

1. Vascular causes of erectile dysfunction
Endothelial function plays a very important role in the process of erection. Erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease overlap in risk factors due mostly to endothelial dysfunction There is growing evidence that patients presenting with erectile dysfunction should be investigated for heart disease, even if they have no symptoms of cardiovascular problems
   Alterations in the flow of blood to and from the penis are thought to be a common cause of male erectile dysfunction. For instance, medical conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes reduce blood flow to the penis and genital organs thus leading to difficulty with erection or genital swelling.  Erectile dysfunction could be an early indication of oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. A vascular problem in the penis may precede a wider, systemic problem in other blood vessels in the body. Patients with cardiovascular disease and patients with diabetes represent the largest group of patients with erectile dysfunction. Lowering cholesterol through diet, supplements, or medicines improves erectile dysfunction.
   Metabolic syndrome can increase inflammatory markers in blood and negatively influence endothelial function resulting in poor vasodilation and a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction.
   Additional factors that can impede blood flow include penile injury and surgery in the pelvic and abdominal area. Smoking can reduce genital blood flow. Some men with erectile dysfunction may have an underlying vascular disease such as atherosclerosis.
  
Smoking and erectile dysfunction -
Men who smoke risk developing erectile dysfunction - and the more cigarettes they smoke, the greater the risk of erectile dysfunction. If heart disease, stroke and certain cancers haven't been reason enough for you to quit smoking, consider this: Smoking also increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. Men with a pack-a-day habit are almost 40 percent more likely to struggle with erectile dysfunction than men who don't smoke.

2. Neural causes of erectile dysfunction
Nerve damage from disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and stroke affect the brain’s ability to respond to sexual stimulation and cause erectile dysfunction. In women, abdominal or pelvic operations can occasionally lead to nerve damage. Erectile dysfunction is common in men undergoing surgical treatment for prostate enlargement or cancer.

3. Hormonal causes of erectile dysfunction
Low levels of androgens, such as testosterone, are sometimes a component of erectile dysfunction. Testosterone levels decline about 1 percent each year in men, which may contribute to erectile dysfunction with aging. Testosterone also declines with age in women leading to a decrease in female libido. Replacement of androgens can sometimes be helpful in those with age related erectile dysfunction. Testosterone is available by prescription only. An over the counter hormones, such as DHEA, converts into testosterone and thus has a positive influence on erectile dysfunction. Pregnenolone is another over the counter hormone that may increase testosterone levels and thus improve erectile dysfunction. Many herbal aphrodisiacs also have a positive influence on erectile dysfunction. Routine hormone blood studies for erectile dysfunction evaluation are not needed during the initial evaluation but perhaps later if treatment modalities are not successful. Prominent diseases of the endocrine system, such as diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, and hyperprolactinemia, may cause erectile dysfunction. Sometimes erectile dysfunction treatment with hormones such as DHEA or testosterone can be effective.

Efficacy and safety of hormonal therapy with androgens (androgel) in men with erectile dysfunction, partial androgen deficiency of aging male and cardiovascular diseases.
Urologiia. 2007 Jan-Feb. Kalinchenko SIu, Vorslov LO, Aglamazian NL, Morgunov LIu.
Partial androgen deficiency of aging male manifests with sexual dysfunction and is associated with many diseases, primarily, cardiovascular. After the age of 40 a testosterone level falls 1-2% a year. The number of men with testosterone deficiency grows from 8% in 40-60-year-olds to 80% at the age over 80 years. Correction of androgen or testosterone deficiency can be conducted with the drug androgel transdermal testosterone delivery. Androgel is used externally and is more effective than intramuscular and oral analogues. By activating lipolysis, testosterone reduces the amount of visceral fat thus lowering insulin resistance. A vasodilating effect of androgel positively influences cardiovascular system and penile vessels. The drug acts fast, is effective and safe. Therefore, it can be recommended for correction of erectile dysfunction in patients with old age androgen deficiency and concurrent cardiovascular diseases.
   Comments: For those who have tried erectile dysfunction herbs without getting adequate benefit, it would be worthwhile to try small doses of DHEA or prescriptions testosterone medications.

4. Drug or medication-induced erectile dysfunction
Drugs that interfere with erectile function include some anti-hypertensives, SSRIs (like Prozac), sedatives, and beta-blockers. SSRIs - treatment for depression - cause erectile dysfunction mostly due to their effect on serotonin metabolism. Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on erectile function and sexuality. Beta blockers such as propranolol, atenolol, and others, are some of the most common medications that cause erectile dysfunction.
   Surprisingly, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen also cause erectile dysfunction. Regardless of the reason for taking them, painkillers classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) apparently increase the likelihood that middle-aged and elderly men will develop erection difficulties. A study involved 1126 men, between 50 and 70 years of age, without erectile dysfunction in 1994 when they completed a questionnaire that included, among other things, questions about erectile function and medication usage. The questionnaire was then re-administered five years later. The investigators found that the erectile dysfunction rate was 93 cases per 1000 persons per year among NSAID users compared with just 35 cases among nonusers.
   Alcohol is a major factor in erectile dysfunction.
   Some chemicals involved in the human sexual response include dopamine, acetylcholine, and nitric oxide. All these three natural chemicals and others can be manipulated n the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Alcohol's negative affect on sex drive increases with age. Heavy smoking is an important risk factor for erectile dysfunction in men..

Erectile dysfunction and medical conditions
Certain medical conditions cause erectile dysfunction or reduce libido, performance, or enjoyment. These include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, neurologic disorders, and insomnia.
   Sitting on a bicycle too long. Men who log several thousand miles a year on their mountain bikes suffer scrotal damage that could reduce their fertility or cause erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction and cardiac patients
Erectile dysfunction is common in cardiac patients and shares the same risk factors - smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Sexual activity is not unduly stressful to the heart and, providing patients are properly assessed using established guidelines, sexual intercourse can be enjoyed without increased risk. Erectile dysfunction in asymptomatic patients may be a marker of silent vascular disease or increased vascular risk factors and should alert the physician to the need for cardiac risk screening.
   Physical fitness positively influences sexual desire and performance. Moderate exercise may help boost sexual function in men with heart failure. The results may be good news for some men with erectile dysfunction, because Viagra and other similar erectile dysfunction drugs can have dangerous interactions with medications commonly prescribed to treat heart failure.

Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
Erectile dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetes can cause damage to nerves throughout the body, including the penis. Damaged nerves can't communicate properly. So even though a person emotionally stimulated to have intercourse, nerve damage means that information isn't relayed to the penis, and it doesn't respond. In addition, poor blood sugar control can inhibit nitric oxide production. Lack of nitric oxide can prevent the pressure of blood in the corpora cavernosa from rising enough to close off penile veins, allowing blood to flow out of the penis instead of remaining trapped for an erection. Losing weight, eating a healthier diet and exercising can improve blood sugar control and hence reduce the risk for erectile dysfunction in a person with type two diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction and heart disease
A large study of men age 55 and older adds to evidence that erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign for heart disease. Men with erectile dysfunction were more likely than other men to experience chest pain, a heart attack or a stroke during the next seven years, the study found. The results suggest that men who see their doctors for erectile dysfunction drugs also should consider getting screened for heart disease.

Erectile dysfunction and Parkinson's disease
Erectile dysfunction is associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer treatment
Erectile dysfunction is common after external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. There are several structures close to the prostate gland that are critical to erectile function and that receive a substantial radiation dose: neurovascular bundles, internal pudendal arteries, accessory pudendal arteries, corpora cavernosa and the penile bulb.

Erectile dysfunction herbal products in some foreign countries may be contaminated
October 2007 - Researchers  tested herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction sold over-the-counter in Hong Kong and found most of them had untested variants of well-known anti impotence drugs. They evaluated 26 anti erectile dysfunction products sold in convenience stores and pharmacies. Although their packaging declared that they contained only "herbal ingredients", variants of sildenafil and vardenafil were found in 14 out of the 26. Sildenafil is the generic name for the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra whereas vardenafil is the generic name for Levitra. Ssildenafil and vardenafil are known to have side-effects including nausea, malaise, headache, facial flushing and visual disturbances. Serious heart problems have also been reported.

Erectile dysfunction emails
Q. Can you tell me if serious vision problems occur with the erectile dysfunction drugs?
   A. See PDE5 inhibitor information.

Q. Does finasteride cause sexual side effects or erectile dysfunction?
   A. Yes, there is a high rate of erectile dysfunction in those who are taking finasteride. Much higher than reported in research studies. Many patients don't realize their sexuality is diminished since it occurs slowly over time.

Q. Is penile dysfunction same as erectile dysfunction?
   A. We are not aware of the term penile dysfunction being formally used in the medical literature.

Risk of Chinese erectile dysfunction herb formulas
Some Chinese-made erectile dysfunction herb formulas may contain pharmaceutical drugs. In December of 2007, the FDA advised consumers to stay away from Shangai Chaojimengnan supplements sold under the names Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai and Shangai Regular. The Chinese-made erectile dysfunction herb formulas are packaged and distributed by Shangai Distributor Inc. of Puerto Rico. Product testing indicated that some of them contain Viagra's active ingredient, sildenafil, or a compound with a chemical structure that mimics sildenafil. These erectile dysfunction drugs could interact with nitrates or other drugs taken for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. There have been several instances over the years where erectile dysfunction herbal formulas made in China have been laced with pharmaceutical medicines.

Additional pages on this website
Catuama herb formula
Cause of erectile dysfunction - there are many causes of erectile dysfunction, from psychological to organic. Finding the right cause is necessary in order to find the appropriate treatment
Erectile dysfunction cure - there can be a cure for many people who have erectile dysfunction if the underlying cause or causes are identified and found to be reversible.
Hypericum perforatum is an herb used for depression, it is commonly known as St. John's wort
Lepidium meyenii is known as maca and is used as an herbal sexual enhancer in South America and could benefit men with erectile dysfunction.
Pfaffia paniculata, also known as Brazilian ginseng or suma, is used for energy enhancement and sexual vitality
Treatment of erectile dysfunction with natural herbs and pharmaceutical medications.
Urtica dioica is known as stinging nettle and use for prostate enlargement.

Natural ED pills
Q. Are there natural ED pills that also improve mood or are good for mild depression?
   A. Yes. Muira puama is a natural ED pill that has mood enhancing beneifts.

Additional links of interest
Erection enhancer for more information on improving erections.
Libido enhancing herbs and natural supplements do exist, there are hundreds of plants that have compounds that work not only for sex drive, but as erectile dysfunction herbs.
Ray Sahelian, M.D. web site for more information on erectile dysfunction herbs. An effective product as an erectile dysfunction remedy is Passion Rx.

More erectile dysfunction emails
Q. Ever since my doctor put me on propranolol for hypertension, I have had erectile disfunction. Is there a way to treat this erectile disfunction with natural supplements? Does ginger help with erectile disfunction?
   A. The best option is to take all natural approaches to reduce blood pressure, including eating more fish and vegetables and taking fish oil capsules in order to reduce the dosage of the propranolol. If the erectile dysfunction problem persists, your doctor may need to switch you to another type of blood pressure medication. Ginger herb is an excellent herb to enhance libido, and may slightly help with erectile dysfunction issues.

Q. I am thinking of arginine to help with erectile dysfuntion. What is your opinion of arginine for erectile dysfuntion treatment?
   A. We are not convinced that l arginine, by itself, is an effective treatment for erectile dysfuntion.

Q. Does Alcohol make erectile dysfunction disorder worse?
   A. Heavy alcohol use can cause erectile dysfunction. Alcohol is an anesthetic and has hormonal affects.

20-Hydroxyecdysone is made by various plants where its purpose is presumably to disrupt the development and reproduction of insect pests.