Chapter 4: Facts about Erectile Dysfunction
Alternative Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Ginkgo Biloba
There are various herbs and other natural supplements that have been used to treat the symptoms of ED. Ginkgo Biloba is one of them. It will not work for every man with ED, but it does work for some. Studies conducted on its effects on ED proved to be inconclusive. The benefits are said to be largely psychological. There are some possible negative effects as well. It has been known to cause blood to clot abnormally. This is why you should not take Ginkgo Biloba if you are taking a medication that has blood thinner.
Yohimbe
Probably the most popular of the herbs that fight ED is Corynanthe Yohimbre. This is taken from the bark of the yohimbe tree. Europeans have been using it to treat ED for close to a century, but it wasn’t approved for use in the United States until the ‘80’s. You can buy it over the counter as a dietary supplement. You can also find yohimbe in various prescription drugs like Testomar, Yovital and Erex.
To date; no one knows for sure how yohimbe is effective in treating ED, but it has been known to work. It is believed that the yohimbe opens up blood vessels and lets blood flow freely to the penis. It is also possible that yohimbe affects the nerves in your spine and causes you to become more sexually aroused. No matter what the reason is that it works; there have been studies conducted where almost half the men who participated in the study were successful in treating their ED. Patients suffering from Diabetes, vascular disease and some conditions involving the brain benefit from this treatment the most. If your ED is caused by damaging of the nerves; yohimbe will not work. Men who do not suffer from ED can take yohimbe to heighten their sex drive and achieve longer erections. The recommended dosage of yohimbe is 5.4 mg taken three times a day. Allow anywhere from three to six weeks for yohimbe to start working in your system.
Other Alternative Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
If you have a temporary case of ED caused by improper diet, drug abuse or alcohol abuse; Nux vomica Strychnos nux-vomica has been known to be an effective way to treat it. You must use precaution when using this to treat ED. If you take the wrong dose; it could be toxic. You should only use it if it is recommended by your doctor.
Other herbs that are known to treat ED:
- Eleuthrococcus Senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)
- Ginseng Panax
- Aletrius Farinose (True unicorn root)
- Serenoa Repens (Saw palmetto)
There are many different combinations of Chinese herbs that might be able to treat ED. Sometimes the herbs are combined with parts of animals like deer hooves or antlers to get the right mixture of ingredients.
Acupuncture is another known Chinese treatment for ED. This is mostly practiced in Eastern medicine. U.S. doctors usually frown upon alternative or natural remedies.