Best Vitamins and Herbs to Boost Sexual Health for Men and Women
Rhodiola Rosea
This plant, which grows in the arctic region, has shown great promise in boosting a couples mojo. Studied extensively at Columbia University, researchers have found evidence that the herb can enhance sexual desire, energy, performance, and orgasm in both men and women. Other studies suggest that the herb can also help some men prolong stamina. And for women, Rhodiala Rosea may counteract some of the unpleasant side effects of menopause. This herb is commonly found at any health store in tablet form and no side effects or prescription interactions have been reported.
Ginseng
Ginseng, which works in ways similar to Ginko Biloba (see below), increases blood flow through a man's lower extremities, but it has also shown promise in helping women boost their desire, performance, energy, and orgasm. This is most likely due to affecting the dopamine system, which is the complex system of the brain that researchers believe triggers sex drive. More than half of all men and women in studies with Ginseng report an improvement of "being in the mood" more often. In general, ginseng has been found to be perfectly safe for use, except in pregnant or breastfeeding women, because of its estrogen-like effects. The only other common effect from its use is producing excitability, but that's exactly what we're after here!
Maca (Peruvian Ginseng)
Better known as "Peruvian Ginseng," this herb grows in the high-altitude areas of Peru. The Incas have passed down the stories of the roots legendary powers for generations. Maca is known for improving lust and orgasm in both men and women, and for having a, shall we say, Viagra-like effect. Used to give ancient Peruvian warriors added strength in battle, it was also kept away from women while the warriors were away (perhaps for fear of what might transpire while they were gone?). This herb has shown fairly consistent findings in animals and humans to increase stamina and libido in both genders, as reported by Discovery Health. So far there have been no cases of toxicity in this herb, which makes it relatively safe to take by just about anyone.
Horny Goat Weed
Just as its name implies, horny goat weed is a leafy, high-altitude plant which has long been believed to, er, boost the libido. For men in particular, this herb is believed to play a role in the correction of erectile dysfunction, or ED. The problem with the herb is that it appears to be inconsistent in its commercial preparation, which means if you get a bad batch, it won't do what it is supposed to. This herb can be most easily digested in tea form and has no known side effects when taken in this fashion.
Kava has a highly researched and documented ability to calm the nerves and reduce stress in both men and women. One of the most common causes of poor libido and sexual dissatisfaction is anxiety, tension, and other stress-related issues caused by relationships, work, or even the thought of the sexual performance in itself. For many men, it only takes one time for their tool to fail them, and they won't be able to let that moment go in their mind. It will continue to effect them long after, causing them to develop what would appear to be a form of ED. The mind is a very powerful tool for improving health, but it can also be a factor in our own self-induced sexual dysfunctions if we let it. While Kava can help sexual dysfunction caused by self-induced mental issues, it will not show much, if any improvement, over an actual diagnosed case of ED. You may have heard of this supplements questionable legal status, but it is currently legal in most major countries, except for Canada and France, who just don't know what they're missing!
L-Arginine
This amino acid has been called a Viagra substitute for men and women. It works in both sexes by boosting the amount of blood flow through those whoopee-making organs. The increased blood flow for the man will offer him a longer, stronger erection, while for the woman it can aid in heightened stimulation. Men can take L-Arginine in herbal pill form, while many women report the best results are achieved by applying a cream directly where it counts.
Vitamin E
Some like to call vitamin E the "sex vitamin." It gets this name for a couple of reasons. One, vitamin E has been said to aid in the production of sex hormones, which aids in attraction, desire, and mood. Two, it prevents age and disease, which of course indirectly boosts the longevity of anyone's sexual lifestyle. Some women prefer to use Vitamin E as a lubricant during sex to heighten their experience considerably. Always make sure that the Vitamin E will not reduce the effectiveness of a condom, if using one, as latex is prone to disintegrate with certain oil-based lubricants.
Best for Men Only
Ginkgo Biloba
Many men know about the supposed boosting effects of Ginko Biloba in the bedroom, but initial studies recognized Ginko Biloba for its ability to improve circulation and memory in adults. If you take these same findings and apply them to the man with ED, we can see how the increased circulation could theoretically produce a stronger erection. The same chemical, nitric oxide, which is stimulated by the Ginko Biloba to relax the artery walls in the circulatory system, is also known to boost blood flow through the man's tofu dog. All technical scientific jargon aside, it basically works like Viagra. The most popular way to add this herb to your diet is through pill or caplet form.
Best for Women Only
DHEA
DHEA, known by its full name as Dehydroepiandrosterone, may not exactly be a natural herb or vitamin, but it is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA, which can now be purchased directly over the counter, can be used by women experiencing age-related decreases in the hormone. It has been shown in studies to be a powerful tool in reestablishing sexual desire. A 50 mg dosage was recommended by the New England Journal of Medicine back in September of 1999. In some circles DHEA has even been called the equivalent of what Viagra should be for women. The use of this supplement should be discussed with your doctor before experimenting, as there is a slight possibility for risk of heart attack, breast cancer, and unwanted hair growth (it is a male hormone after all). So, if you want good sex using DHEA, you may have to put up with more shaving and spending increased amounts of time in the tool section at Sears!
Why Aren't the Health Benefits of These Supplements Listed on Labels?
The reason you will never find any of these claims on the bottle of one of these supplements, is that the FDA does not allow for non-prescription supplements to advertise health benefits. Why? One of the biggest problems with over the counter supplements is poor standardization and regulation, which basically refers to the fact that no two manufactures use the same method of extraction and potency level in their product. This is why it is always a good idea to research a manufacturer before choosing their product.
A Word on Your Safety
While there is evidence out there that suggests these supplements can help improve sexual function, they should not be used to self-medicate a problem that you should bring to your doctors attention. Keep in mind that while these supplements are "natural," they still interact with your body and can react with other prescription drugs. If in doubt of whether a particular supplement mentioned here is safe for you, discuss it with your doctor before trying it.
Source planetgreen.discovery.