RSS
Home
Top 10 Herbs for Men
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Herbal medicine is gently curative, stimulating our bodies to return to health by strengthening our systems and attacking the cause of the illness itself. Herbs can save heaps in prescription bills and prevent future problems, but most men aren’t likely to seek herbal healing. In fact, most male herbal formulas are often bought by women for the male in their life. That’s too bad since many herbs could be more than beneficial to today’s active male lifestyle. Along with the many therapeutic herbs that promote general health and well being, there are a number of natural herbs that have been shown to treat particular conditions that affect men as they go through life.
Here are my top ten:
1. The herb known as Siberian ginseng and now called Eleuthero, has been used interchangeably for over 2000 years in China as a general tonic to treat various conditions. With tonic properties like ginseng and belonging to the same family, eleuthero contains active constituents that are quite different from those of ginseng. It’s been a favorite of Olympic coaches in Russia for a while. When the word got out, Western scientists put it to the test. In an Australian clinical test, scientists found that men (and women) who took Eleuthero 8 weeks had 13% strength gains in the pectoral muscles and 15% in the biceps. And a company in New Jersey found that taking Eleuthero for 8 weeks increased the body's ability to burn fat through exercise by about 43%. The scientists running these tests recruited experienced athletes. The benefits of this readily available herb are even more noticeable in beginning athletes.
2. American Ginseng is Eleuthero's less potent cousin, but don’t let that fool you. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that men who take at least 3 grams of American Ginseng per day experience lower insulin levels and lower blood sugars after eating.
3. Often called the "Indian Ginseng," Ashwagandha improves the body's ability to adapt to various types of stress. It is perhaps the most famous Ayurvedic remunerative botanical, especially since it’s considered a natural Viagra. A wonderful nerve tonic and anti-aging herb its topical use improves circulation & helps oxygenate the skin. It’s also a potent "brain herb." Laboratory studies with mice find that Ashwagandha reconnects the circuits in the brain that have been broken by stress, including the pathways in charge of sexual arousal and ejaculation. Dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system causes premature ejaculation. Repairing "broken circuits" is theoretically one of the ways Ashwagandha helps restore male potency. The effects of Ashwagandha are usually noticed within 48 hours of taking the first dose.
4. Another aphrodisiac herb is Yohimbe, perhaps the best known. Deriving from a tall evergreen tree native to western Africa, the Yohimbe bark has traditionally been used to increase sexual desire and treat erectile dysfunction, as well as fever, coughs, and even leprosy. The plant is also a hallucinogen in large quantities, so it should be taken with caution. A standardized form can be used to treat conditions of male impotence, in principle very similar to Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra, but without the side effects of heart palpitations, sniffles, or blue vision! Even men without erectile dysfunction note an enhanced experience after taking Yohimbe. Results are noted within 4 hours of taking the herb.
5. The rain forest herb Muira Puama comes to us from Peru, but its efficacy and libido enhancement has been proven in French studies. Also dubbed "the Viagra of the Amazon,” this is a great boost for the nervous system and for treating exhaustion. It also helps with gastrointestinal and nervous system disorders and for treating cases of mild exhaustion. The key to using Muira Puama effectively is in how you take it, a dash lemon juice after taking the herb increases the release of its active tannins. A UCLA study showed a significant improvement in both erectile function and sexual desire. Scientists also believe that this herb increases testosterone levels, though this has not yet been clinically proven.
6. Triphala--"three fruits”, made from the dried and powdered fruit of three plants, -- is highly revered in Ayurvedic herb with a multitude of benefits for men called a Rasayana. A Rasayana is a combination that enlivens the inner intelligence of mind and body and thereby promotes rejuvenation and long life. One of the principle actions of Triphala is that it balances Apana Vata, the subdosha of Vata that governs the colon, lower abdomen, menstrual flow and elimination. It works as a gentle laxative and boosts red blood cells and removes fat from the body. It is also claimed to clear headaches, maintain normal blood sugar levels, and improve skin tone and color. Indian scientists have claimed for years that Triphala has value as a detoxifying and anti-cancer agent. Now researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute say they have shown that it can prevent or slow the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors implanted in mice.
7. Hypericum was recommended by Hippocrates for "nervous unrest." Not many herbs have a 2000-year track of folk use for depression, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Modern medical research has shown that hypericum perforatum - popularly known as St John's Wort-can be as effective as prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. Clinical double blind studies indicated that St. John's Wort extract (0.3% hypericin) at a dosage of 300 milligrams three times daily is as effective in relieving depression as standard antidepressants but is much better tolerated with fewer side effects. Although they’re not sure how the plant lifts depression--most believe it probably works by keeping the chemical serotonin in the brain for longer. Compared to the cost of prescriptions, St. John’s Wort is very inexpensive, and also had fewer side effects than many standard drugs used to help those battling despair. St. John's Wort also shows antiviral activity in preliminary studies, and may be beneficial for persons with HIV virus.
8. One of the most important issues affecting men is prostate growth and prostate cancer. An important herb for men with prostate problems is Saw Palmetto (a plant native to the south-east of the USA). A long-term study of 150 men with clinically diagnosed BPH and complaints of prostate symptoms has demonstrated "the long-term efficacy and tolerability of Permixon-- a brand of standardized saw palmetto extract sold widely in Europe-- and support its use as a first-line medical therapy for uncomplicated symptomatic BPH." It has been shown to inhibit the action of 5-alpha-reductase, growth factors and inflammatory substances responsible for the common symptoms of BPH. There are advantages to the whole herb not to be found in its chemical extract. It’s also a great herb for respiratory health and improved muscle strength.
9. In the ancient Greek epic-adventure "The Iliad", Homer mentions Achilles gave his army the plant "Yarrow" (scientific name ‘Achilles mille folium") to stop the blood from bleeding battlefield wounds. Recent science has found anti-inflammatory chemical agents in Yarrow and chemical agents -when consumed as a tea- that calm nervous jitters and muscular spasms from traumatic injury. Yarrow has dozens of useful chemicals that are helpful with every thing from allergies to varicose veins.
10. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is our last candidate for herbs men might want. Nothing’s worse than coming back from the gym with an itchy case of "Athlete's foot" or "Jock Itch." Licorice is a simple nontoxic answer for fungus related male maladies. Steep 4 teaspoons of licorice root powder in 1/2 a cup of hot water for 24 minutes. Let it cool and apply to problem areas. You’ll be amazed at how effective it is.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
