Niacin
Sexual energy nutrients include the B vitamins. Vitamin B3 also known as Niacin
is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body, and therefore needs
to be taken in our diet or supplements. Vitamin B3 is essential for the breakdown
of carbohydrates into energy. Niacin regulates the synthesis of sex hormones in
your body. A benefit of Niacin is increased mucus secretion, which can further
enrich the sexual experience by increasing sensitivities and sensations throughout
the body and not just the genitalia. Niacin may also aid individuals that experience
difficulty in achieving orgasms. (Morgenthaler, John and Simms, Mia. The Smart
Guide to Better Sex From Andro to Zinc, Supplements and Herbs to Fire Up Your
Sex Life. Smart Publications, 1999.)
Horny Goat Weed
The provocative name of this herb may not sound serious but in reality,
Epimedium Grandiflorum can provide a serious sexual boost. Horny Goat
Weed has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. In men,
the herb reputedly promotes sexual desire and sperm production, and has been
used to treat sexual impotence. In women, the herb has primarily been used to
fight fatigue and alleviate postmenopausal hypertension. The chemical ingredients
of Horny Goat Weed include a variety of polysaccharides, flavonoid icariin,
sterols, and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. Animal research demonstrates that
Horny Goat Weed increases testosterone levels. While the exact chemical mechanism
for the efficacy of Horny Goat Weed is not yet known, it appears that its ability
to increase sexual arousal is linked to the activity of cholinergic neurotransmitters.
Additional research has demonstrated that Horny Goat Weed even had sexual potentiation
effects and improved the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure.
(Dept. of Nephrology, General Hospital. Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on quality
of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance. Beijing,
1995.)
Maca
Maca is an ancient herb of the Incas. It has been referred to as “Peru’s
natural Viagra.” Maca or Lepidium meyenii has traditionally been used
to
increase stamina, endurance, libido, and sexual potency in men. For women,
Maca has been used to restore hormonal balance and treat a variety of
reproductive and sexual disorders. Modern research appears to substantiate many
of the historical claims made for Maca. Active ingredients of Maca include sisoterol,
campestrol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, and ergostadienol. Scientific studies
have not clearly identified which of the tuber- root’s constituents affect
sexual desire and performance, however, recent studies clearly demonstrate the
positive benefits of Maca.
“Treatment with Maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count
per ejaculation, motile sperm count, and sperm motility.”
(Gonzales G.F, Cordova A.,Gonzales C., Chung A. Vega K., and Villena A. Lepidium
meyendi ( Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian J. Androl; 301-3,Dec
2001.)
“ … Thus it was concluded that both acute and chronic Maca oral
administration significantly improve sexual performance parameters in male rats.”
(Cicero AF., Banierei E (., and Arletti R. Lepidium meyenii Walp. Improves sexual
behavior in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor
activity. J Ethnopharmacol; 75(2-3): 225-9. May 2001.)
“ Oral administration of M-01 and M-02 enhanced the sexual function of
male mice and rats, as evidenced by an increase in the number of complete intromissions
and the number of sperm-positive females in normal mice, and a decrease in LPE
in male rats with erectile dysfunction. The present study reveals for the first
time an aphrodisiac activity of L. meyenii, an Andean Mountain herb.”
(Zheng BL. He K., Kim CH., Rogers L., Shao Y. Huang ZY., Lu Y., Yan SJ., Qien
LC., and Zheng QY. Effect of a lipid extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual
behavior in mice and rats.
Urology: 55(4): 598-602. Apr 2000.)
Zallouh Root
Zallouh root ( Ferulas harmonis), also known as shirsh zallouh, is a small shrub
that grows at an elevation of over 6000 feet on Mount Hermon at the joint borders
of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. The powers of this root were purportedly known
by King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Since biblical times Zallouh has been
used as an aphrodisiac. Recent clinical studies validate its efficacy and safety
as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in men. The active ingredient appears
to be ferulic acid, which dilates blood vessels and stimulates circulation boosting
sexual function. Until recently, Zallouh was not available outside of the region
in which it is grown. A growing body of scientific research has helped popularize
this potent sexual enhancer. Ferulis harmonis has been studied in clinical trials
conducted by the Lebanese Society for Urological Studies. Over 7,000 men participated
in this research. The overwhelming majority of participants (60 to 86%) experienced
a significant increase in libido and improvement in erectile function. Although
women have long used zallouh with reputed success, no women participated in
these studies. A recent animal laboratory study confirmed the aphrodisiac properties
of Zallouh. (Thaher TS., Matalka KZ., Taha HA., Badwan AA. Ferula harmonis 'zallouh'
and enhancing erectile function in rats: efficacy and toxicity study. Int J
Impot Res;13(4):247-51, Aug 2001.)
Macuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as cowitch, velvet bean or dopa bean, contains
naturally occurring L-dopa (l-dihydroxyphenylalanine), and has been used by
Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries for men with erectile problems and women
with low libido. The L-Dopa content provides much of Mucuna’s benefits.
Optimizing dopamine levels appears to increase testosterone levels and elevates
mood. Dopamine is also used to increase natural human growth hormones. A recent
study revealed that the herb is useful in improving sexual performance in men,
especially those 50 years and older, who had normal androgen levels. ( Horita
H., Sato Y., Adachi H., Suzuki N., Kato R.,Hisasue S., Suzuki K., and Tsukamoto
T. Effects of levodopa on nocturnal penile tumescence: a preliminary study.
J Androl;19(5):619-24, Sep-Oct, 1998.)
References:
Altshul, Sarah, PREVENTION’s alternative medicine editor, King Solomon’s
Sex Herb, April, 2002.
Amin, K.M.Y. Fitoterapia, 67:53-58, 1996.
Bhasin, S., et. al. New England J. of Med., 335, 1-7, 1996.
Cicero AF., Banierei E., and Arletti R. Lepidium meyenii Walp. Improves sexual
behavior in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor
activity. J Ethnopharmacol; 75(2-3):225-9, May 2001.
Dept. of Nephrology, General Hospital. Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on quality
of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance. Beijing,
1995.
El-Thaher TS; Matalka KZ; Taha HA; Badwan AA. Ferula harmonis 'zallouh' and
enhancing erectile function in rats: efficacy and toxicity study. Int J Impot
Res, 13(4):247-51, Aug 2001.
Giuliano F; Allard J .Groupe de Recherche en Urologie, UPRES, Medical University
of Paris South, France. Int J Impot Res;13 Suppl 3:S18-28, Aug 2001.
Gonzales G.F, Cordova A.,Gonzales C., Chung A. Vega K., and Villena A. Lepidium
meyendi ( Maca) improved semen
parameters in adult men. Asian J. Androl; 301-3,Dec 2001.
Gotto AM Jr. The new cholesterol education imperative and some comments on
niacin. Amer J Cardiol ;81:492, 1998.
Horita H; Sato Y; Adachi H; Suzuki N; Kato R; Hisasue S; Suzuki K; Tsukamoto
T. Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan.
Effects of levodopa on nocturnal penile tumescence: a preliminary study. J Androl,
19(5):619-24, 19(5):619-24, 1998.
Manyam, B.V., et. al. J. of Alternative and Comp. Med., 1 (3) 249-255. 1995.
Morgenthaler, John and Simms, Mia. The Smart Guide to Better Sex From Andro
to Zinc, Supplements and Herbs to Fire Up Your Sex Life. Smart Publications,
1999.
Singh, R.H. et al. J. Res. Ayur. Siddha, 1(1):1-6, 1989.
Zheng BL. He K., Kim CH., Rogers L., Shao Y. Huang ZY., Lu Y., Yan SJ., Qien
LC., and Zheng QY. Effect of a lipid extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual
behavior in mice and rats. Urology: 55(4): 598-602. Apr 2000.