Asian Health Secrets for Men
The Advent of pharmaceutical drugs for erectile
dysfunction in the 1990's revealed to the worlds
attention just how common male sexual health
problems are and the issue of male andropause
was brought into the open, especially in the
West. In the East however, this subject has
always been popular and those herbs famed to
improve sexual potency have held pride of place
in each Asian culture.
Male
Andropause - what are men to do?
In
those not suffering from chronic disease, male
erectile strength is influenced primarily by the
proper functioning between the hormonal,
cardiovascular and nervous systems. Male
andropause is the term given to a noticeable
decline in free testosterone and symptoms
include erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle
mass, irritability, generalized fatigue and even
problems with memory and cognition. Studies have
noted that testosterone levels and sperm count
has been declining in many parts of the world
and it has been postulated that rising estrogen
exposure in foods and the environment may be
partly responsible. The cardiovascular and
nervous systems are maintained by regular
exercise, keeping body weight within healthy
limits and dietary and lifestyle habits that
promote healthy nerve and vascular blood supply,
especially to the pelvic area. The male hormonal
and nervous systems may also be affected
unknowingly by various medications and alcohol.
Enter the Asian Solution - Herbal
Aphrodisiacs
In
Asian culture in particular, men appreciate that
with ageing, stress or a decline in health,
comes a reduction in sexual potency and
therefore they rely on the regular consumption
of "herbal aphrodisiacs " that work to both
increase sexual strength as well as promote
resistance to disease. Herbal medicines that are
effective have been eagerly sought after and
each region in Asia has its most highly valued
herbal remedies for male sexual health.
While by training, doctors and scientists are
skeptical about the value of such herbal
remedies in treating sexual dysfunction and ED,
centuries of trial and error are considered
valuable testimonies to a treatments value. How
many modern drugs will be available even 20
years from now? It is not surprising that when
detailed animal or human clinical studies are
eventually performed on many of these prized
Asian remedies (drug
companies and Universities have little
motivation to research herbs already used for
sexual dysfunction as they cannot claim patent
rights) it is found that they do indeed
possess unique pharmacologically active
ingredients that support male sexual health and
increase testosterone, often with the added
advantage that they are very safe for regular
consumption. The Medical claim for the placebo
effect for herbal remedies is quickly discounted
when the laboratory animals experience the very
same enhanced sexual effects that Asian
traditional healers and patients have known
about for centuries!
ALSO KNOWN as Malaysian
Ginseng, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has
an ancient reputation as a herbal aphrodisiac.
Its name means "Ali's staff or walking stick" in
reference to its effects on male sexual health.
In studies it has been shown to increase
testosterone levels, raise endurance and improve
stress tolerance.
Many successful
laboratory animal studies have confirmed that
its traditional use is not a placebo.
Each of these studies revealed a marked
improvement in multiple aspects of mice sexual
behaviour after ingestion of Tongkat Ali. Free
testosterone levels were also enhanced together
with an increase in sperm production. Further
research has also revealed an “anxiolitic” or
anxiety relieving effects in animal models.
