Impotence

Until recently, the cause of most impotence was often dismissed as being in the mind. While some specialists still estimate that up to 80 percent of men's sexual dysfunction is linked to their emotions or to unresolved psychological issues, modern research makes such clear-cut distinctions less obvious. Emotions do play a role—we know that testosterone levels can drop from fatigue, depression, overwork, stress and insufficient sleep—but poor circulation and nerve damage also take their toll and can lead to impotence.

Impotence is sometimes caused by prescription drugs, especially some sedative, tranquilizer, ulcer and high blood pressure medications—the very prescriptions an older man is likely to take. When possible, avoid the drug's side effects by using herbs to treat the conditions that these drugs fight. It is not just pharmaceutical drugs that are to blame for impotence; many recreational drugs, including heroin, amphetamines, "downers" (like Quaaludes) and alcohol, also reduce performance. While cocaine and amphetamines do stimulate the nerves that control ejaculation, these drugs can be self-defeating since they also block another set of nerves that control and sustain sexual interest. The result is short-lived performance with little gratification.

About a quarter of impotent men have too much of a pituitary hormone called prolactin. Stress increases prolactin, but the stressed-out man who figures he will relax with a beer should know that the hops in beer slightly increases prolactin, as well as increasing estrogen. This in turn makes testosterone levels drop. In fact, hops may be part of the reason why heavy beer drinkers often experience hormonal shifts and develop enlarged bellies and breasts. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that marijuana use also increases prolactin and lowers testosterone.

Not many men talk openly about their impotence, but because I'm an herbalist, I have had men confide to me that they are looking for a natural solution to this problem. They usually start the conversation with some other topic, but I soon get the hint. I encourage them to investigate herbal ways to deal with impotence. While herbs are not always successful by themselves, they are often helpful when combined with other holistic therapies such as acupuncture, massage and relaxation techniques. Of course, having a compassionate partner is always very helpful.

The first step to conquering impotence is to explore natural remedies for relaxation. Unlike many pharmaceutical relaxants, valerian, skullcap, California poppy, kava and fresh oats ease both physical and emotional stress without decreasing sexual desire or interfering with performance. Some herbalists even consider oats and kava to be mild sexual enhancers. In addition, oats, and possibly damiana and valerian, help counter depression, which can be a cause of impotence. When researchers at the San Francisco Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality gave a blend of fresh oats, nettle leaves and seaweed to men who were experiencing sexual problems, it took only two months for the men's libido and performance to improve and their sensation to increase. California poppy, damiana, kava and oats are all best used as tinctures. Seaweed can be added to your diet. Aromatherapy techniques for relaxation (see chapter 111) will also help you to relax and thus to perform better.

What about trying an aphrodisiac? Do they really exist? There certainly are enough stories and folk tales about them. If there are true aphrodisiacs, it is very likely that they can help some cases of impotence. I have heard of all sorts of foods and, of course, herbs that are reputed to be aphrodisiacs; some of them are mentioned in this section. For information about some traditional aphrodisiac fragrances for men and women, such as rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang and patchouli, see Stimulant for Fatigue in chapter 115.

You might also try addressing the specific causes of impotence: poor circulation, poor functioning of nerves that play a major role in sexual activity, and low testosterone levels.

IMPROVING CIRCULATION

It may seem that "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) and related circulation problems—the same problems that lead to heart disease and stroke—would have little to do with impotence. But poor circulation is a common cause of impotence because it prevents blood vessels from expanding and filling with blood. Studies reported in the British medical journal Lancet confirm that when damaged or weak blood vessels cannot function properly, neither can the man! Adult-onset diabetes—a disorder that impedes circulation and injures nerves—exacerbates atherosclerosis and is blamed for nearly half the cases of impotence. (Impotence gets even worse when someone with diabetes lets blood sugar levels get out of control, putting extra stress on the body.)

Circulation problems that impair sexual function, even those resulting from diabetes, can be treated with herbs. Ginkgo strengthens blood vessels that are just under the skin's surface, improves their ability to dilate and helps provide a sufficient blood flow. It does all this without increasing blood pressure. Studies conducted on ginkgo in 1991 showed that this herb contains a compound that improves poor circulation and helps most men under 70 years old who have erectile problems. In most of the studies, it was found that ginkgo takes less than two months to improve sexual functioning, and many researchers suggest continuing treatments for another four months. For more tips on maintaining good circulation with herbs such as ginger and prickly ash bark, see chapters 21 through 25..

TONING THE NERVES

The African herb yohimbe has been proven to improve a man's staying power, although it doesn't fit most people's idea of a true aphrodisiac. For one thing, yohimbe usually doesn't increase sexual excitement, although some men interpret its stimulating effect that way. It does improve the operation of the nerves that promote desire while dampening those that stimulate ejaculation (this is just the opposite action of cocaine). This translates to prolonged and increased pleasure. But before you rush out to buy some, remember that it is men with sexual dysfunction problems who notice the benefits the most. Men without sexual dysfunctions tend to experience either a mild stimulating effect or no change at all.

Yohimbe's action takes about 30 minutes to take effect and then continues for a couple of hours. During one of my classes, one man agreed that yohimbe was effective for sexual dysfunction and then admitted that he knew this because he had used it himself. He did not offer any details about his situation, but did say that he took it every morning, just before going to work. Presuming that he was a faithful husband, I suggested that he might try taking it in the evening instead. He came early to the next class just to thank me for that suggestion, and said that the herb was helping much more now.

If yohimbe is so great, you may be asking, how come doctors don't recommend it? The answer is that they do! Yohimbe contains the compound yohimbine, a major ingredient in several prescription drugs for impotence. This compound has an impressive track record, but you will be able to get it only with a prescription. A number of studies have shown that yohimbine helps impotence caused by poor circulation, emotional problems or diabetes—all of which are primary causes of sexual dysfunction. In one study of impotent men, researchers at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, discovered that it helped almost half the participants. Of those who took a placebo (dummy pill), only half as many experienced a change. The researchers who conducted this study declared yohimbine a "safe treatment for psychogenic impotence that seems to be as effective as sex and marital therapy"—a pretty strong statement! Both yohimbe and its extract, yohimbine, often take a couple of months to produce lasting results.

No problems have been reported from using the herb, but the concentrate yohimbine occasionally increases heartbeat, raises blood pressure or increases irritability, depression, nervousness or dizziness—certainly none of which inspire passion. To be safe, if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, use yohimbe only under the care of a professional. Also, don't take it with diet aids, commercial nasal decongestants that contain ephedrine, or with cheese, red wine or liver, since combining any of these with yohimbine sometimes causes side effects, such as headaches.

INCREASING TESTOSTERONE

If any herbs really do inspire passion, the most likely ones are those that increase testosterone—raising your testosterone levels will raise your libido. For thousands of years, Chinese folklore has claimed that ginseng (which translates as "man root") improves not only virility, but also stamina and longevity (both sexual and general). This is one reason that Chinese herbalists still recommend it for many men over 40.

Another possible sexual healer is a Chinese herb called fo-ti in North America, which is considered an aphrodisiac and longevity herb. The Chinese, who call this creeping vine ho shou wu, ascribe many amazing properties to it. According to folklore, a 50-year-old fo-ti root is said to turn gray hair dark again, and a 150-year-old root will cause teeth to grow back in the elderly! While I assume that these stories are rather exaggerated, practitioners of Chinese medicine have long used this root to counter the effects of aging and to treat impotence.

Three Central and South American herbs are also rumored to be aphrodisiacs: muira puama, damiana and sarsaparilla. Brazilian herbalists use the wood of muira puama, appropriately nicknamed "potency wood," as a male tonic and stimulant. German researchers have found that it may indeed have aphrodisiac-like effects, possibly by affecting men's hormones. Back in 1874, the native Mexican herb damiana was sold in the United States as a tonic "to improve the sexual ability of the enfeebled and aged." It is still made into a popular alcoholic drink in Mexico, where it is widely recognized as an aphrodisiac. Tablets of sarsaparilla are sold throughout Mexico and South America to improve virility and sexual stamina in both men and women, although there have been no scientific tests to show that it is effective.

When considering male health, remember that general health has a strong impact on a man's sexual health. A healthy liver is especially vital to maintaining a good balance of male hormones. Any serious liver problem, such as cirrhosis caused by heavy alcohol consumption, can be responsible for impotence.

Many male alcoholics eventually become impotent as a result of liver damage. Indications that a drinker's testosterone is on the wane include the development of enlarged breasts, a reduction of the frequency with which he needs to shave and a diminishing of his sex drive. Herbs like milk thistle and probably shizandra help rebuild the liver if it has not been damaged too severely. For herbs to heal and maintain your liver, see chapters 44, 45, and 46., and for more advice on enhancing testosterone, see "Infertility" in chapter 76.

A friend of mine made an interesting herbal discovery somewhat by accident. Matt had already successfully used herbs to treat a digestive problem. Now approaching 50, Matt went in for a physical and complained about a minor urinary problem as well as a decrease in libido. His physician told him that they needed to "watch" his prostate and that there was not much he could offer right now to increase libido. Matt figured that he could at least use some preventive herbal medicine for his prostate. He started taking ginseng and saw palmetto to help his prostate and also to increase his stamina when he worked out at the gym twice a week.

As Matt had no idea that herbs could increase libido, he was quite surprised when he realized that his herbal treatment was not only helping these two conditions, but also improving his sexual stamina. He asked me if I had ever heard of such a thing. I said that I certainly had, and suggested that he read up on some other herbs, such as yohimbe and damiana. He did his homework and added these herbs to his herbal regimen. Much later, I ran into him and his wife, Sue, at a party. We were discussing herbs anyway, so I boldly asked, "Did your new herbal formula work?" Matt turned bright red and I instantly regretted asking the question, but then I saw Sue wink. Enough said.

Impotence Tincture

½ ounce each tinctures of ginseng root, ginkgo leaves, yohimbe bark, fresh oats and damiana leaves ( if available)

Combine ingredients. Take 30 drops of tincture 3 or 4 times a day for at least 2 months. (Oats and damiana are usually most effective in tincture form. The fall-harvested ginkgo can be taken as a tincture or in pill form.)