By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for the Herbarium
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is extremely common in over half the men over the age of 40. The prostate gland absorbs dihydrotestosterone, leading to increased urinary frequency, nighttime awakening to empty the bladder and reduced force when urinating. If left undiagnosed and untreated, BPH can develop into more serious problems.
There are several pharmaceutical products available to treat BPH, the most famous is finasteride, or as it was known Proscar. Interestingly enough studies and comparisons of Proscar and saw palmetto showed saw palmetto worked faster, on more men and had no sexual or other side effects. Finasteride is the generic name, so I would think that it would still not be as effective. (Study reports available at HERBARIUM).
Now, not all saw palmetto products are created equal. You must really know the company who produced the product or the person who is assisting you to select the product should be familiar with them to insure you are getting the proper saw palmetto. Try to find a product that contains 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. Online product salespeople know about this and will poo-poo the importance of these percentages. Do not be deceived.
There is also a plant called Pygeum africanum that will help with BPH. If you find a combination of the two in one product, in a guaranteed potency formula, you are fine. You may find combinations using nettle root, pumpkin seed, and other herbs or nutrients. These are also good. They all help in urogenital health.
Now, to the big (no pun intended) question of “male enhancement.”
Gentlemen, let me be the first to tell you “it ain’t gonna happen.” The good Lord gave you so much material to work with and that is exactly what you have. There is no herb or product on earth that is going to make the penis longer. There are herbs that can help engorge the penis, thus making it fatter in circumference, but that is about it. If you stop taking the herbs, you go back to normal.
However, there are herbs that can help with stamina, sperm motility and performance. The following are just a sample of Mother Nature’s gifts:
Maca*– A tonic for overall physical energy and stamina, it enhances desire and can optimize erectile dysfunction.
Muira Puama*– Also known as “potency wood.” This herb helps with impotency, performance anxiety and increases libido.
Catuaba*– Increases desire and acts as a nerve tonic.
Damiana*– Aids in mental and physical stamina, oxygenation; increases libido.
Sarsaparilla – Increases sexual desire, helps feed the glands to produce testosterone.
Epimedium – Also know as ”horny goat weed,” this helps with E.D., premature ejaculation, increases desire and nitric oxide.
Tongkat Ali – Also know as “Long Jack” (don’t you just love some of these names?) It enhances sexual activity and arousal.
Arginine – This is an amino acid precursor for synthesis of nitric oxide, relaxes smooth tissue.
Avena Sativa – Also know as “Oat,” it soothes the brain and nervous system while increasing desire and performance.
Note: certain herbs such as Tribulus, should not be used with some diabetes or blood pressure medications. There is another consideration, that being side effects of some medications. In this case, something like gingko biloba could be of value, as it helps blood pressure and increases circulation to the extremities, which is very important to diabetes patients.
Stress plays a big role in men’s health, as it can restrict blood flow and increase performance anxiety to name just two problems. Taking care of the adrenal glands may be helpful in this case. Herbs like licorice root, eleuthero, or adrenal formulas might be just enough to take care of the problem. Watch your diet, get plenty of rest and all the other suggestions that you have heard but may be ignoring, and watch the alcohol intake. To paraphrase a line from Shakespeare,” a little wine may help the desire, a lot will rob you of the ability.”
— Jonathan
Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans via email at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, Mass. 01013. If requesting additional information from Evans, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
* These are herbs that can help both men and women with sexual issues.
