Erectile Dysfunction (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Check out Asian ginseng
900 mg of a concentrated herbal extract two or three times a day may improve libido and ability to maintain erection
- Give ginkgo a go
Take 240 mg a day of a standardized herbal extract to increase blood flow to the penis
- Quit smoking
Men who smoke have an increased ED risk
- Get a checkup
ED can be caused by some diseases and may be a side effect of certain medications
About This Condition
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a male to attain or sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
It can be a persistent condition; however, almost half of all men experience ED only occasionally. ED can have physical, psychological, or drug-induced causes.1 Although some doctors used to believe differently, most researchers and doctors now believe that physical factors are responsible for the majority of ED cases.
Several conditions may contribute to ED by impairing blood flow to the penis. These include atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and chronic alcohol abuse.
Symptoms
ED is defined by the symptoms listed above. Symptoms may also include loss of sexual desire (libido), premature ejaculation, or inability to achieve orgasm.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Men who smoke have been shown to have an increased incidence of ED.2
In a study of obese men with erectile dysfunction, a two-year lifestyle program consisting of a low-calorie diet plus regular exercise resulted in a significant improvement in erectile function, which became normal in 31% of the participants.3
Holistic Options
ED that cannot be linked to physical causes has been successfully treated by hypnosis.4 In one trial, three hypnosis sessions per week, later decreased to one per month, over a six-month period led to improvement in 75% of men in the trial.
Acupuncture might be of some benefit for men with ED. Electroacupuncture, which is acupuncture accompanied by electrical stimulation, was performed on various acupuncture points in men with ED in a preliminary trial of men with this condition.5 Two treatments were administered every week for one month. An improvement in quality of erection was observed in 15% of the participants and an increase in sexual activity was reported by 31% of the men. Another preliminary trial6 found good results in over half of the men treated, but the only controlled trial of electroacupuncture for ED7 found that placebo also produced a large improvement in sexual function—an effect similar to that of acupuncture. Controlled trials with larger groups of men are necessary to better test the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for men suffering from ED.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
3 Stars Asian Ginseng 900 mg of a concentrated herbal extract two or three times daily | Asian ginseng may improve libido and ability to maintain erection. Asian ginseng(Panax ginseng) has traditionally been used as a supportive herb for male potency. A double-blind trial found that 1,800 mg per day of Asian ginseng extract for three months helped improve libido and the ability to maintain an erection in men with ED. The benefit of Asian ginseng confirmed in another double-blind study, in which 900 mg three times a day was given for eight weeks. |
3 Stars Yohimbe 5 to 10 drops three times per day, under a doctor's supervision | Yohimbe appears to increase blood flow and dilate blood vessels. Yohimbine (the primary active constituent in yohimbe) has been shown in several double-blind trials to help treat men with ED; negative results have also been reported, however. Yohimbe dilates blood vessels and may help, regardless of the cause of ED. A tincture of yohimbe bark is often used in the amount of 5 to 10 drops three times per day. Standardized yohimbe extracts are also available. A typical daily amount of yohimbine is 15 to 30 mg. It is best to use yohimbe and yohimbine under the supervision of a physician. |
2 Stars Arginine 1,670 to 2,800 mg daily | Blood vessels need arginine to dilate and form an erection. Supplementing with arginine has been shown to help men with erectile dysfunction in some studies. Dilation of blood vessels necessary for a normal erection depends on a substance called nitric oxide, and nitric oxide formation depends on the amino acid arginine. In a preliminary trial, men with ED were given 2,800 mg of arginine per day for two weeks. Six of the 15 men in the trial were helped, though none improved while taking placebo. In a larger double-blind trial, men with ED were given 1,670 mg of arginine per day or a matching placebo for six weeks. Arginine supplementation was found to be particularly effective at improving ED in men with abnormal nitric oxide metabolism. Although little is known about how effective arginine will be for men with ED or which subset of these men would be helped, available research looks promising and suggests that at least some men are likely to benefit. |
2 Stars Butea 500 mg daily for the first four days, then followed by 1,000 mg daily | Butea superba is a Thai plant that has been used traditionally to increase sexual vigor. Butea superba is a Thai plant that has been used traditionally to increase sexual vigor. In a preliminary trial, 82% of men with erectile dysfunction reported an improvement in erectile function while taking Butea superba for three months. The amount used was 500 mg per day for the first four days, followed by 1,000 mg per day thereafter. The response rate in the placebo group could not be evaluated, because none of the men receiving the placebo returned for their follow-up visit. |
2 Stars DHEA Take under medical supervision: 50 mg daily | Some men with erectile dysfunction have been reported to have low blood levels of DHEA. Supplementing with DHEA may improve erectile function and libido. Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) have been reported in some men with ED. In one double-blind trial, 40 men with low DHEA levels and ED were given 50 mg DHEA per day for six months. Significant improvement in both erectile function and interest in sex occurred in the men assigned to take DHEA, but not in those assigned to take placebo. No significant change occurred in testosterone levels or in factors that could affect the prostate gland. Experts have concerns about the safe use of DHEA, particularly because long-term safety data do not exist. |
2 Stars Ginkgo 60 to 240 mg daily | The herb Ginkgo appears to increase blood flow to the penis. Ginkgo biloba may help some men with ED by increasing blood flow to the penis. One double-blind trial found improvement in men taking 240 mg per day of a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) for nine months. A preliminary trial, involving 30 men who were experiencing ED as a result of medication use (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other medications), found that approximately 200 mg per day of GBE had a positive effect on sexual function in 76% of the men. |
2 Stars Horny Goat Weed 5 grams three times per day | Horny goat weed has long been used in traditional Asian medicine for people with sexual difficulties. It has been shown in at least one study to increase libido. Horny goat weed has long been used in traditional Asian medicine for people with sexual difficulties. It is almost always prescribed in conjunction with other herbs to improve its efficacy and to prevent side effects. People with kidney failure being treated with dialysis had improved sex drive after taking horny goat weed, compared with a similar group not given horny goat weed. |
2 Stars L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine 2 grams of each daily | In one study, supplementing with the combination of propionyl-L-carnitine (a form of L-carnitine) and acetyl-L-carnitine significantly improved erectile function in elderly men. In a double-blind study, supplementing with the combination of propionyl-L-carnitine (a form of L-carnitine) and acetyl-L-carnitine (2 grams of each per day) for six months significantly improved erectile function in elderly men with erectile dysfunction associated with low testosterone levels. Propionyl-L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine were significantly more effective than testosterone treatment. |
2 Stars Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) 120 mg daily | In one study of men with erectile dysfunction, supplementing with Pycnogenol improved erectile function. In a double-blind study of men with erectile dysfunction, supplementing with 120 mg per day of Pycnogenol improved erectile function, whereas placebo treatment had no effect. |
1 Star Damiana Refer to label instructions | Damiana is a traditional herbal treatment for men with erectile dysfunction. Damiana(Turnera diffusa) is a traditional herbal treatment for men with ED. However, no modern clinical trials have confirmed its effectiveness. |
1. Hernández-López C. Drugs do not only relieve male menopause. BMJ 2000;321:451 [letter].
2. Condra M, Morales A, Owen JA, et al. Prevalence and significance of tobacco smoking in impotence. Urology 1986;27:495-8.
3. Esposito K, Giugliano F, Di Palo C, et al. Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004;291:2978-84.
4. Aydin S, Ercan M, Çaskurlu T, et al. Acupuncture and hypnotic suggestions in the treatment of non-organic male sexual dysfunction. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1997;31:271-4.
5. Kho HG, Sweep CG, Chen X, et al. The use of acupuncture in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 1999;11:41-6.
6. Yaman LS, Kilic S, Sarica K, et al. The place of acupuncture in the management of psychogenic impotence. Eur Urol 1994;26:52-5.
7. Aydin S, Ercan M, Çaskurlu T, et al. Acupuncture and hypnotic suggestions in the treatment of non-organic male sexual dysfunction. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1997;31:271-4.
Last Review: 06-05-2015
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