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Men's Sexual Health

Herbal ED Medications: Truth or Fallacy

You have probably seen advertisements for erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements. These herbal supplements are nothing new; they have been around for generations in parts of Asia and Africa. Traditional Chinese medicines have long made use of tiger penis, rhinoceros horn, and other exotic annual products to give their supplements the zing they claim will cure erectile dysfunction. These herbal medicines have been popular with large numbers of people in these cultures, and have also made inroads into the Western market.

The way that these medications work is in stark contrast to the working of Viagra, Cialis and other conventional erectile dysfunction medications. For instance, in Chinese traditional medication, impotence is linked to the flow of energy known as "qui," in the kidneys. Treating erectile dysfunction in this system therefore needs finding a balance between the forces of energy in the body. Compare this to Viagra which begins to work within an hour after being ingested.

To be fair, traditional medicine for impotence rarely claims that it is a quick acting formula to cure erectile dysfunction. When you take a powdered concoction made of tiger penis or any other such product, you can be fairly certain that the result is not going to be visible within an hour or even a couple of hours. People who depend on this kind of medicine believe that the path to a complete recovery and freedom from erectile dysfunction is long, but the results are permanent. Add to that the fact that many people in traditional eastern cultures tend to be suspicious of the effects of taking allopathic medicines over a long term, and you begin to realize why traditional erectile dysfunction herbs are such a hit in these cultures. Plus, these herbal supplements are far cheaper than Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, making it possible for patients to afford them for as long as they want.

So, how effective are these traditional herbal supplements, and more importantly, are they 100% safe? Always remember that there are no scientific studies to evaluate the efficacy or safety of these products. Just because a product is called herbal, it does not have to mean that there are absolutely no side effects. Plus there is always the danger that because few side effects are known of, patients may go ahead and overdose on these medications.

One of the most popular herbs in traditional Chinese medicine is ginseng. Some studies have shown that it has a positive effect in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. There are few reactions to this herb, but it must not be combined with anti depressants that include monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

Another commonly used herb is ginkgo. This has been proved to improve blood flow in the penis, thereby helping produce erections. This herb however, has been connected to blood thinning.

For low levels of testosterone, traditional Chinese medicine has relied on a weed called epimedium. An over dose of this herb can cause breathing problems. The yohimbe herb is sourced from the bark of the yohimbe tree, and has traditionally been used in African herbal medicine. A pharmaceutical version of this herb called yohimbine is recommended by doctors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The list of side effects related to yohimbe however, is lengthy - high blood pressure, increased heart beat, kidney problems, headache and nausea.

To be safe, always consult your doctor before you take any herbal product for erectile dysfunction. This is especially true if you are already on any other medications, or suffer from diabetes or heart disease.