What is the best herbal viagra?

What is viagra?

Sildenafil, available on the market under the brand name Viagra, is a medication men use to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, but perhaps more commonly, erectile dysfunction (ED). Simply put, Viagra works by helping the muscles and the arteries inside the penis relax. As a result, more blood reaches the penis. In turn, when aroused the combination of relaxation and increased blood flow helps fill the penis with blood.

There is a myth that Viagra is psychoactive, but we can clear this up. It will not have any noticeable effect on the way you feel, think or perceive things during sexual intercourse. Its effects are purely physical. This means it will help you to get and maintain an erection, but won’t change your emotions.

Viagra doesn’t start working immediately, because the medication needs time to be absorbed into your blood. For most men, it takes around 30 minutes before you start to feel the results of Viagra. These effects typically last between 2 to 3 hours before its effects start to diminish. However, Viagra can last up to 5 hours or longer depending on your dosage and body’s metabolism.

There’s also anecdotal evidence that Viagra may increase sexual pleasure in women. Supposedly, it increases blood flow to the female genital area, increasing sensitivity, stimulation, lubrication and aiding orgasm.

Although Viagra may help men get an erection, many people prefer natural alternatives that are readily available, discreet, and more likely to have fewer or no side effects. Before we go into these, firstly let’s discuss ED. 

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Also referred to as impotence, ED is an occasional or prolonged inability to produce or maintain an erection and is more of a symptom than a condition. An erection is a result of complex multisystem processes in the body and sexual arousal involves interactions between your penis, nervous system, muscles, hormones and emotions.

In a lot of cases men begin to experience symptoms of ED as they age, especially over the age of 50. However, if ED occurs frequently at a younger age, you might need treatment for an underlying health issue.

Physical issues including heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking can all cause ED. Meanwhile, depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns can also interfere. So, what is herbal viagra and can it help these?

What is herbal viagra?

Certain herbal remedies may help increase sexual potency with fewer or no side effects compared to prescribed medications and are also likely to be less expensive. 

Natural aphrodisiacs have long been used to increase libido, potency, or sexual pleasure. These medicinal plants are popular and have varying degrees of success for ED. These include:

• Red ginseng, a Chinese and Korean herb
• L-arginine, commonly found in foods such as spirulina and pumpkin seeds
• Ashwagandha, widely used in Ayurveda
• Maca, a root vegetable from Peru
• Yohimbine, a West African tree bark
• Ginkgo, a herb from a Chinese tree
• Mondia whitei, roots of an African plant
• Tribulus terrestris, also known as gokshur, an annual plant from the caltrop family

Let’s dive into the supposed best herbal viagras, which include red ginseng, plants rich in L-arginine and ashwagandha. 

Is red ginseng a herbal viagra?

Red ginseng has a history going back as far as 2000 years in Chinese and Korean medicine as a tonic for health and longevity. More specifically, people take the roots of ginseng, for treating symptoms of ED. However, don’t confuse red ginseng with Siberian ginseng or American ginseng as they are completely different plants that serve different needs!

Biologically speaking, red ginseng works as an antioxidant, releasing nitric oxide which aids erectile functions. It does this because nitric oxide is a compound that aids blood circulation, thus helping muscles in the penis relax. 

Although studies are limited, the results of a systematic review suggests red ginseng may help treat symptoms of ED by improving the following things:(1)

• Penile rigidity
• Girth
• Duration of erection
• Libido
• Stamina
• Concentration
• Stress

Interestingly, its proposed benefits affect not only men. In fact, a review of 10 studies found that red ginseng was also effective at improving sexual arousal in women with menopause.(2) Researchers do however acknowledge that more studies with larger participant pools are necessary. 

It’s important to mention that the FDA doesn’t approve red ginseng for treating ED. Additionally, red ginseng can interfere with some medications such as blood thinners, meaning people who take them may want to consult their doctor prior to use.

What’s more, although red ginseng is generally well tolerated, it can cause side effects, such as headaches and an upset stomach. However, generally speaking this plant is considered a safe treatment but should only be used on a short-term basis between 6 to 8 weeks. 

Is L-arginine a herbal viagra?

One of the more common supplements marketed to help treat ED is L-arginine. L-arginine is an amino acid that you can naturally find in vegetables such as squash, spirulina and soy.

In the body it’s converted into nitric oxide, which as previously mentioned is important for erectile function because it causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. As a result, more oxygen-rich blood can circulate through your arteries. In other words, a healthy blood flow to the arteries of the penis is essential for normal erectile function.

There’s a large amount of research surrounding L-arginine supplementation as a possible treatment for ED. However, the majority suggests that although it’s generally safe and well-tolerated by men, it won’t help ED.(3) Having said that, L-arginine supplements are also often combined with other supplements, which have different results. Let’s look a little further into this.

While L-arginine supplementation may not treat ED by itself, the combination of an L-arginine supplement and pycnogenol may help. To bring you up to speed, pycnogenol is a trademark name for a supplement which comes from the pine bark of a tree called the Pinus pinaster.

One study found that L-arginine supplementation and pycnogenol helped a significant number of men who suffer from ED achieve normal erections. What’s more, the treatment didn’t cause any of the side effects which could accompany ED medication.(4)

Another study suggests that the combination of an L-arginine supplement and yohimbine hydrochloride treatment shows potential in treating ED. However, the study showed that the treatment is only suitable for people who experience mild to moderate ED.(5)

It’s important to mention that L-arginine supplementation has several possible side effects. These include increased risk of bleeding, imbalance of potassium in the body, change in blood sugar levels, and decreased blood pressure. 

It is important to mention that eating foods rich in L-arginine, such as spirulina and pumpkin seeds, is different to taking isolated L-arginine supplements. These foods are part of a balanced diet and do not cause the same side effects.

Related readings

• Can obesity cause infertility?
• What are adaptogens and their health benefits?

Is ashwagandha a herbal viagra?

Also known as the ‘King of Ayurvedic herbs’, ashwagandha is an aphrodisiac and one of the most significant in the ancient Indian medical system. It is an evergreen shrub with yellow flowers. It grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.

One common cause of both long and short term ED is stress. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps manage stress. The herbal action in adaptogens can increase or decrease chemical reactions within your body. For example, if you experience stress, an adaptogen will respond by reducing cortisol levels. 

In one study participants took either 250 or 600 mg of ashwagandha extract, or a placebo for 8 weeks. The extract group had significantly reduced perceived stress and levels of the stress hormone cortisol compared with those who took a placebo.(6) In theory, this should benefit ED. Overall, there’s limited research surrounding ashwagandha and its effectiveness for ED. So, let’s examine what’s available.

One study investigated the effectiveness of ashwagandha for a specific type of ED called psychogenic ED. This is primarily associated with sexual anxiety and worries about sexual performance. 86 men were given either ashwagandha or a placebo for 2 months and overall, ashwagandha didn’t provide any more relief for ED than the placebo.(7)

Despite biological plausibility, the lack of studies highlights the need for further research. However, if you’re an individual who experiences stress and ED, ashwagandha may well be the exact thing you’re looking for. 

How do I take ashwagandha?

At Erbology, we advise supporting your body and mind from your diet through whole foods as opposed to supplements.

Doses of ashwagandha root powder vary depending on the individual. However, current research suggests that taking 3-5g of ashwagandha powder per day for a minimum of a month can be beneficial. 

If you’re new to ashwagandha, it can be helpful to work your way up from a small to larger dose over time. Doing it this way gives you the ability to monitor the herb for any minor side effects that may occur at a low dosage. Meanwhile, you can start to experience the benefits of this unique herb.

Organic ashwagandha powder made from ashwagandha root is ideal. You get genuine clarity, avoid additives, plus it’s convenient to use. Simply dissolve ½ to 1 tsp of the powder in warm water. You can take this daily or even twice a day, depending on your needs. 

Another great way to take ashwagandha powder is to dissolve it in a cup of warm milk. In Ayurveda, milk is the ideal accompaniment for ashwagandha. This is due to the belief that milk improves the digestibility of this herb. You can even add a little sweetener and spice, such as honey and cinnamon to make it more interesting. If you want something really special, check out our moon milk recipe!

Due to its versatility you can also incorporate ashwagandha into your cooking. However, it’s worth highlighting that it can add a bitter note to your food. Therefore, depending on what your flavour palate is, this might be for you!

Is herbal viagra dangerous and does it have any side effects?

There are two types of products – single ingredient medicinal plants such as raw ashwagandha root powder and blends of herbal supplements. At Erbology, we recommend the natural source as opposed to lab-made supplements.

Always check the list of ingredients to understand what’s inside – importantly, in blends and capsules, as there may be ingredients that can cause side effects, such as low blood pressure and gastric issues. In addition, herbal viagra supplements have been found to contain undisclosed prescription medications and substances like amphetamines, which can interact with other medications. For example, the FDA issued a warning against some brands of herbal viagra because they were found to contain undisclosed sildenafil – the active ingredient in prescription viagra.

Clinical treatment for erectile dysfunction 

Make an appointment with your doctor if your ED is affecting your quality of life or if you have other symptoms accompanying ED. If you’re taking medication, always talk with your doctor before trying herbal remedies or supplements, as they may interact. A lot of supplements can also interact negatively with alcohol.

It’s vital to not forget to tell your doctor about any symptoms that you may be experiencing or feeling due to ED. These details can help your doctor find the right treatment, especially if there’s an underlying condition causing your ED. If this is the case, you may not need herbal supplements. 

Furthermore, if you happen to suffer from significant blood vessel or nerve damage that causes your ED, you may not be able to treat it naturally.

Treatments your doctor may prescribe for ED:

• Prescription medication or injections
• Penis suppository
• Testosterone replacement
• Penis pump 
• Penile implant
• Blood vessel surgery

Natural interventions including quitting smoking, taking steps to reduce stress in your life and a healthy diet, can also help ease symptoms of ED. For example, in one study eating a healthy diet with fresh, high quality foods was associated with a lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction compared with those who did not eat a healthy diet.(8) Interestingly, the participants who had the lowest incidence of erectile dysfunction followed a diet most similar to the Mediterranean diet. 

So, what is the best herbal viagra?

ED can have both psychological and physiological causes. However, in most cases, there’s a physiological cause such as diabetes, nerve damage, or heart disease. 

Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, exercising, and giving up smoking and alcohol, can in fact help with ED but sometimes they may not be enough to alleviate symptoms. Therefore, in some instances medications may be a suitable option, including herbal. 

Overall, herbal viagras have little scientific research to back up the claims, and there’s no certified method for testing their effectiveness. Furthermore, the majority of results from human trials rely on self-evaluation, which can be subjective and difficult to interpret.

However, if you suffer from general ED there is research which suggests the effectiveness of ginseng as a herbal viagra. Meanwhile, if you suffer from psychogenic ED, i.e stress, then ashwagandha may be something worth exploring. The former and latter can however interfere with some medications, so we advise to consult your doctor prior to use.

Related readings

• What are the benefits of ashwagandha for men?
• Ashwagandha benefits and uses