The bark of the yohimbe, an evergreen tree found in West Africa, serves as an herbal drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Though most adults can use it under the supervision of a health professional, many doctors discourage its use because yohimbine, the active chemical in yohimbe, has the potential to cause severe side effects. Rather than run these risks, try some alternate herbs for treating erectile dysfunction. Does this Spark an idea?
Asian Ginseng
Native to China and Korea, the Asian or Panax ginseng has become a popular medicinal herb for improving overall health and boosting the immune system. Ginseng, particularly red Korean ginseng, can also prove effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Though most adults can safely take it by mouth for up to three months, this ginseng variety can cause a number of side effects---most commonly, sleeping problems---albeit not as serious as the effects associated with yohimbe. Prepare red ginseng by steaming or sun-drying cultivated Asian ginseng roots.
Siberian Ginseng
For a relatively cheaper herbal option, try Siberian ginseng---not really a type of ginseng but rather only a distant relative of American and Asian ginseng---which only received the label "ginseng" for marketing purposes. Although overlaps exist in the plants' uses, Siberian ginseng is a distinct plant with different chemical properties. As with Panax ginseng, the medicinal qualities of this plant reside in the root. Take Siberian ginseng to maintain and improve overall health, and rotate Asian ginseng with Siberian to help boost testosterone levels---a crucial counteraction to erectile dysfunction---if taken in rotation. Siberian ginseng rarely produces side effects, and most adults can take it on a short-term basis.
Muira Puama
Finally, take the bark and roots of the muira puama---a small tree native to the Amazon forest---in tea form. Brazilian herbal medicine considers the muira puama a highly regarded sexual stimulant, and it may actually work more effectively than yohimbe. Though not much information exists on how it works, although preliminary information indicates that it enhances both the psychological and physiological aspects of sexual function. Though this herb requires more research in order to confirm its effectiveness, as of 2009 it carries no known side effects.
Tags: erectile dysfunction, most adults, Siberian ginseng, side effects, Asian ginseng