Great Sex, Naturally (36 page)

From a Chinese medicine perspective, epimedium is a very yang herb, recommended if a man needs to build his yang energy, so it may be best reserved for specific sexual-health issues. (Later in this chapter, we’ll explore its use for treating erectile dysfunction.) Taking epimedium as a single herb may be beneficial in some cases, but could overstimulate a man’s libido and eventually exhaust his energy; it’s typically found in herbal formulas for increasing sexual vitality and overall health. If taken as a single herb, the recommended dose for men is 300 mg, standardized to contain at least 20 percent icariin, up to three times daily. A man should refrain from using epimedium if he has an overactive sex drive, high fever, insomnia, anxiety, or low blood pressure, or if he’s on blood-thinning medications.

—
Tribulus terrestris
.
An herb that grows in Africa and India,
Tribulus terrestris
has long been used by native peoples for its therapeutic effects on male libido. Modern research shows that its active compound, protodioscin, can act as a precursor to the hormones testosterone and DHEA. Bulgarian researchers demonstrated that the herb could increase levels of these hormones in men, although more research is needed to confirm this. Because it can increase nitric oxide,
Tribulus terrestris
has been found effective for treating erectile dysfunction. Research also supports its use for enhancing sperm quality and improving male fertility. The recommended daily dose for men is 85 to 250 mg with food. Look for products containing 45 percent protodioscin.

—
Ginkgo biloba.
Extracts from the seeds and the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree, used in Asia since ancient times for aphrodisiac and healing purposes, can enhance a man’s libido by increasing his nitric oxide level. As you discovered in
Chapter 5
, ginkgo biloba may also provide antioxidant benefits and a wide range of other potential health gains, including thinning the blood, strengthening blood-vessel walls, promoting circulation, and improving memory in older people.

The recommended dose for men is 40 mg three times daily, as a standardized extract of 24 percent ginkgo flavonglycosides. Side effects are unusual, but some people report minor headaches or stomachaches. Ginkgo biloba is well suited to most men, but shouldn’t be taken by anyone on blood-thinning medications.

The characteristically crenellated leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree.

—
Maca.
The root of the maca plant has a lengthy history of use in Peru for increasing male sexual potency and endurance. Ample research supports its beneficial effects on a man’s libido, sexual desire, fertility, and spermatogenesis. One study, published in
Andrologia
in 2002, found that maca improved sexual desire in men who took 1,500 to 3,000 mg for three months. Another study, published in the
Asian Journal of Andrology
in 2001, found that men who took maca for four months had improved sperm count, seminal-fluid volume, and sperm mobility. Research shows maca increases male potency without affecting production of testosterone and other hormones, and also helps relieve stress, support the adrenal glands, and reduce stress-hormone levels. The recommended dose for men is 2,000 mg twice daily. Researchers haven’t reported any side effects from using it. (see
Appendix C
for supplier information.)

—
Yohimbine.
As you saw in
Chapter 5
, yohimbine is an aphrodisiac that works by stimulating blood flow and nerve impulses to the genitals. It is also a useful treatment for sexual dysfunction caused by some antidepressant drugs. Yohimbine is effective for both women and men, but can be especially potent for men. Research shows that it has promise for treating male impotence, and it’s the only herb approved by the FDA for treating erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbine isn’t safe for everyone, and needs to be taken within careful guidelines because of its potential toxicity. Anyone considering taking it should refer to its cautions and recommendations in
Chapter 5
. It shouldn’t be taken along with some drugs or by men with certain health conditions, including prostate-gland problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. If taken in excess, or along with some foods and dietary items, it could have serious side effects. Before taking yohimbine (either in over-the-counter products or as the prescription drug yohimbine hydrochloride), it’s best to see a doctor trained in its use. If a man is a candidate to use yohimbine hydrochloride, the dose typically prescribed for issues of sexual performance and erectile dysfunction is 5.4 mg three times daily.

—
Hot Plants for Him.
Hot Plants for Him, an over-the-counter herbal aphrodisiac formula, contains maca, yohimbe-bark extract, rhodiola, epimedium, Panax ginseng (Chinese ginseng), and tongkat ali. Most of these ingredients are aimed at building a man’s libido by supporting his adrenal glands, increasing nitric oxide, and promoting neurotransmitters like serotonin. According to the company that makes it, the amount of yohimbine in the product is 4 percent, which would equal 4 mg of active constituent of yohimbine per pill. The label provides warnings, but extra care should be taken to avoid using more than the recommended dose of two pills daily. In excess, it could cause adverse effects, especially if taken with wine, cheese, or liver. Any man using this product should heed
Chapter 5’s
cautions for taking yohimbine. (see
Appendix C
for supplier information.)

—
Male Libido.
Another over-the-counter herbal product, Male Libido contains a blend of epimedium, fo-ti, maca, sarsaparilla, saw palmetto,
Tribulus terrestris
, wild oats, and yohimbine. Again, a man using this product should bear in mind the precautions for taking yohimbine outlined in
Chapter 5
. (For supplier information, see
Appendix C
.)

Just Say
Yes
to NO

As touched upon in an earlier chapter, nitric oxide (NO) can enhance your sexual response because it dilates blood vessels that supply your vagina and vulva. NO plays a similar role in a man’s sexual response. It’s important for generating and maintaining erections because it dilates the blood vessels of his penis, promoting increased penile blood flow and sensitivity. A urine test can evaluate a man’s NO production, and if he has erectile dysfunction, may help determine whether it’s due to low NO synthesis in his penis. Known as a Urine NOx Test, it’s available from Meridian Valley Lab. (see
Appendix C
.)

Other Male Aphrodisiacs and Enhancers: Supplements and Foods

Along with the nutritional supplements and dietary choices you explored in
Chapter 2
, which have the cumulative effect of creating a solid “platform” for a man’s overall sexual health, certain supplements and foods can give his sexuality an added boost. First, let’s look at some important sex-enhancing vitamins, minerals, and other supplements he can use:

—
Zinc.
Research shows that zinc, a key mineral for male sexual health and performance, promotes healthy testosterone levels, sperm count, and fertility, and that zinc deficiency can compromise male hormonal health. Zinc also supports a man’s prostate gland, and is essential to many other functions in his body. The recommended dose is 25 to 50 mg daily.

—
Vitamin B
₆
and magnesium.
These two nutrients help a man’s body use zinc to support testosterone production. The recommended daily doses are 50 mg of B
₆
and 500 mg of magnesium. (Note: Excessive magnesium may cause diarrhea in some people.)

—
L-arginine.
An essential amino acid, L-arginine can enhance a man’s sexuality by increasing nitric oxide. Recommended doses are typically between 2,000 and 6,000 mg daily. A man should avoid taking L-arginine if he has low blood pressure, a gastric ulcer, liver disease, kidney disease, or genital herpes.

—
Vitamin E.
By helping to protect sperm from oxidative stress, vitamin E promotes male fertility. It also supports cardiovascular health and thins a man’s blood, which helps prevent clogged blood vessels, including those that supply his penis and facilitate erections. The recommended dose is 400 IU daily.

—
DHEA.
DHEA, a precursor to testosterone (which means that it converts to testosterone in a man’s body), can enhance male libido and help maintain erections. It’s naturally produced in a man’s body—much of it comes from his adrenal glands, although it’s also made in his brain—and released into his bloodstream during orgasm. Taken in supplement form, DHEA can slightly raise testosterone levels in some men, and may increase feelings of well-being, boost energy, support memory functions, and help prevent heart disease. A laboratory test is needed to determine if a man’s DHEA level is low. If so, recommended doses are typically between 25 and 50 mg daily.

—
Nettle root.
Research shows that nettle root can increase the amount of free testosterone a man has in circulation and help with an enlarged prostate gland by arresting prostate-cell growth. It can also positively affect the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio in the prostate gland and help with issues pertaining to
BPH
, an enlargement of the prostate gland that is a common condition we’ll explore later in this chapter. The recommended dose is 300 mg daily.

—
Omega-3 fats.
Omega-3 fats convert into hormone-like substances called
prostaglandins
that are stored in high concentrations in a man’s prostate gland, where they help decrease inflammation and prevent prostate-cell growth. Flax and fish oils are two of the best sources of omega-3 fats; the recommended daily dose for flax oil is one tablespoon containing 6,200 mg of omega-3 fats, and for fish oil an amount containing at least 500 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DHA.

—
Saw palmetto.
Studies show that extracts of saw-palmetto berries can promote a man’s prostate-gland health and help reduce symptoms of BPH. While this may not seem to directly enhance his sexuality, by preventing common prostate issues, it can make an enormous difference in his ability to enjoy sex. The recommended daily dose is 320 mg of a standardized extract of saw palmetto.

In addition to these supplements, a few foods warrant special mention for their ability to provide an extra dose of male sexual-health enhancement. Some of the following appear elsewhere in this book due to their beneficial effects on female libido. Along with many of the same benefits you stand to reap from consuming them, they can give your partner added gains that apply uniquely to men’s sexual-health issues.

—
Oysters.
Not only are oysters among the best natural sources of zinc, but they’re also a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamins.

—
Pumpkin seeds.
As one of
Chapter 2’s
super-libido foods, pumpkin seeds boost immunity, decrease cholesterol, promote bone strength, and may have anti-inflammatory effects. They offer additional benefits for a man’s prostate gland: a study in the
British Journal of Urology
found that
curbicin
, a compound in pumpkin seeds, improves symptoms associated with BPH. And pumpkin seeds are also high in zinc, as well as prostate-friendly omega-3 fats.

The Aphrodisiac Potential of Pumpkin Pie: Hiding in Plain Scent

Your sense of smell is intimately connected with your experience of sex; people who lose their sense of smell may have reduced sexual perceptiveness. Even though pumpkin seeds are good for your partner’s sexual health, you might never guess that a smell associated with pumpkins can stimulate his sexual response. But when it comes to the olfactory sense, research suggests that pumpkins are indeed at it again. At Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation, neurologist Alan Hirsch tested the effects of a wide variety of scents on sexual response in men, measured by blood flow to the penis. The test sample was relatively small, but the results were a big surprise. Of all scents tested, the greatest reaction was to that of pumpkin pie, which (along with lavender) elicited an increase in penile blood flow up to 40 percent. So next time you want to get your partner in the mood, consider whipping up a pumpkin pie for dessert. Maybe that old wives’ tale should be amended: the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach …
and nose
.

—
Oatmeal.
Oats are high in zinc, and they contain
beta-glucan
, a type of fiber that can help lower cholesterol, thereby supporting a man’s sexual health by reducing his heart-disease risk. (Heart disease, which clogs blood vessels to the penis, can be a factor in impotence.)

—
Pomegranate juice.
Although pomegranates may not have specific aphrodisiac effects, they offer numerous advantages for male sexual health. They’re high in antioxidants and other compounds that make them particularly beneficial for the prostate gland, and they may help prevent prostate cancer. Research published by the
Journal of Medicinal Food
shows that pomegranate-derived compounds have antitumor activity in the prostate, and a UCLA study of men with recurrent prostate cancer found that eight ounces of pomegranate juice consumed daily significantly reduced prostate-cancer growth, increased the death of cancer cells, and reduced their proliferation.