Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies -31

Scientific Basis for

Ayurvedic Therapies 

edited by

Brahmasree Lakshmi Chandra Mishra

26.9 Summary and Conclusions

The review clearly indicates that PD patients can benefit from Ayurvedic therapies by

using M. pruriens and panchakarma. Future research needs to focus on integrating

Ayurvedic therapies with conventional therapies in treating PD.

References

1. Charak Samhita (700 B.C.), translated by Sharma, P.V., Choukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, India.

2. Polymeropoulous, M.H. et al., Mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene identified in families with

Parkinson's disease, Science, 276, 204, 1997.

3. Gibb, W.R., Neuropathology of Parkinson's disease and related syndromes, Neurol. Clin., 10,

361, 1992.

4. Rempfer, R., Crook, R., Houlden, H., Duff, K., Hutton, M., Roberts, G.W., Raghavan, R., Perry,

R., and Hardy, J., Parkinson's disease, but not Alzheimer's disease: Lewy body variant associated

with mutant alleles at cytochrome P450 gene, Lancet, 344, 815, 1994

5. Cotzia, G.C., Papavasiliou, P.S., and Gellens, R., Modification of parkinsonism-chronic treatment

with L-DOPA, N.Engl. J. Med., 280, 337, 1969.

6. Hornykiewicz, O., Dopamine in the basal ganglia, Br. Med. Bull., 29, 172, 1973

7. Jankovic, J., Parkinsonism, in Cecil Textbook of Medicine, Goldman, L. and Bennett, J.C., Eds.,

W.B. Saunders, New York, 2000, chap. 460.

8. Girolami, U.D., Anthony, D.C., and Frosch, M.P., The central nervous system, in Robbin’s

Pathologic Basis of Disease, Cotran, R.S., Kumar, V., and Collins, T., Eds., W.B. Saunders, New

York, 1999, chap. 30.

9. Diamond, S.G., Markham, C.H., Hoehn, M.M., McDowell, F.H., and Muenter, M.D., Multicenter

study of Parkinson mortality with early versus later dopa treatment, Ann. Neurol., 22,

8, 1987.

10. Gourie-Devi, M. and Venkataram, B.S., Concept of disorders of muscles in Charaka Samhita

an ancient Indian medical treatise-relevance in modern myology, Neurology (India), 31, 13–14,

1983.

11. Gourie-Devi, M., Ramn, M.G., and Venkataram, B.S., Treatment of Parkinson’s disease in

Ayurveda, J. R. Soc. Med., 84, 491–492, 1991.

12. Manyam, B.V., Paralysis agitans and levodopa in "Ayurveda": ancient Indian medical treatise,

Movement Disorders, 5, 47, 1990.

13. Standaert, D.G. and Young, A.B., Treatment of central nervous system disorders, in Goodman

& Gillman’s The Pharacological Basis of Therapeutics, Hardman, J.G., Limbird, L.E., Molinoff, P.B.,

Ruddon, R.W., and Gillman, A.G., Eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, chap. 22.

14. Pras, N., Woerdenbag, H.J., Batterman, S., Visser, J.F., and Van Uden, W., Mucuna pruriens:

improvement of the biotechnological production of the anti-Parkinson drug L-dopa by plant

cell selection, Pharm. World Sci., 15(6), 263, 1993.

15. Anon., An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease: results of a multicenter

clinical trial. HP-200 in Parkinson's disease study group, J. Alt. Complement. Med., 1, 249, Fall

1995.

16. Schleibs, R., Liebmann, A., Bhattacharya, S.K., Kumar, A., Ghosal, S., and Bigle, V., Systemic

administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera and shilajit differentially affects

cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers with rat brain, Neurochem. Int., 30,

181–190, 1997.

17. Nagashayana, N., Sankarankutty, P., Nampoothiri, M.R., Mohan, P.K., and Mohanakumar,

K.P.J., Association of L-DOPA with recovery following Ayurveda medication in Parkinson's

disease, Neurol., Sci., 176, 124, 2000.

18. Srividya, M. et al., Lead case study on Kampavata treated with the compound Parkino,

presented to World Ayurveda Congress, Kochin, Kerala, India, 2002.

Mohammad Abdulkadar Akbarsha, Appian Subramoniam, and Viswanatha Menon

Madhavachandran

27.1 Introduction

The role of the male in the sexual process and reproduction is twofold: (1) to successfully

perform sexual intercourse, deriving pleasure for himself and satisfying the female partner,

and (2) to contribute the sperm for successful fertilization of the ovum toward procreation.

The problem of male infertility and impotency is increasing day by day. The global

incidence of couple infertility is estimated at 10 to 15%.

1

The contribution of the male

factor alone to couple infertility is believed to be about 20%.

2

Between 20 and 30 million

American men suffer from some degree of sexual dysfunction, and a comparative figure

generally applies worldwide.

3

Further, there are several lines of evidence to suggest that

sperm counts are decreasing globally

4

and the incidence of erectile dysfunction is also on

the increase.

5

The increase in male factor infertility in recent times is believed to be caused

by altered lifestyle, stressful living conditions, diverse pollutants, certain prescription and

several nonprescription drugs, dietary toxins, and certain nutritional deficiencies.

6–21

The

causative factors produce many types of derangements that directly or indirectly cause

various kinds sexual dysfunction.

The remedy for male sexual dysfunction in modern medicine is limited. The fact

remains that, other than correction of obstruction, infections, varicocele, and certain

endocrine abnormalities, in most cases there is practically no successful therapeutic

measure for male infertility or erectile dysfunction except for surgical implants. The

allopathic drugs used for erectile dysfunction are believed to produce side effects and

affect other physiological processes and, ultimately, general health.

22

Ayurveda realized

the problem of male sexual dysfunction thousands of years ago and developed a separate

speciality, namely, reproductive medicine (

vaajeekarana

). It realized, among other things,

the role of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and psychological aspects of

fertility and male sexual performance; it has also recommended an appropriate use of

plant-based remedies, a proper lifestyle, and nutritious diet for improving overall health

and treating male infertility and erectile dysfunction. Over 600 plants are described in

the original Ayurvedic compendia like

Charak Samhita

and

Sushruta Samhita

. The potential

of Ayurvedic and other traditional medicinal plants in the development of invaluable

standardized phytomedicines and allopathic type of drugs is great, particularly in the

context of male sexual dysfunction.

This chapter is an attempt to review the Ayurvedic concepts of male sexual dysfunction

and the potential of Ayurvedic treatments for the same, with plant-based remedies as seen

in the classical Ayurvedic treatises as well as in the modern practice. An attempt has also

been made to review the pharmacological and biochemical studies on the plants and plant

products that are in use in Ayurvedic therapy for problems in male reproduction. The

need for more elaborate scientific investigations on the Ayurvedic therapy for male sexual

dysfunction is emphasized.

27.2 Male Reproductive Dysfunction

The description of several ailments relating to male reproduction in Ayurveda has relevance

to the modern science and clinical practices.

Charak Samhita

is perhaps the earliest

medical treatise recognizing that the semen released during orgasm at the time of sexual

intercourse is responsible for the development of the embryo and that defective semen is

incapable of producing the fetus. Male reproductive disorders, as dealt with in classical

Ayurvedic literatures, can be due to two major causes: (1) defective semen and (2) impotence

(

viryalpata

or

klaibyam

).

27.2.1 Defective Semen

Ayurveda describes semen as oily, viscous, nonslimy, sweet, and nonburning with the

smell of honey. It is white with a glaze similar to honey, dehydrated butter (ghee), or til

(

Sesamum orientale

) oil. The total quantity of semen during ejaculation is 2 to 4 oz. Semen

can become defective due to different causes. Excessive indulgence in sex or having sex

at wrong times, masturbation, excessive exercise, eating an excess of bitter, astringent,

salty, sour, or hot foods, old age, anxiety, grief, suspicion, fear, anger, exorcism, emaciation

from disease, and suppression of natural urges and wounds can lead to the derangement

of

tridosas

of tissues. This derangement can reach the semen-producing organs and carrying

channels causing semen defects.

According to Ayurveda there are eight types of defective semen:

vatarethas, pittarethas,

kapharethas, kunaparethas, grandhirethas, poothipooyarethas, ksheenarethas,

and

moothrapureesharethas

. The definitions, etiology, and prognosis of and treatments for each are furnished

27.2.2 Causes of Impotence

Erectile dysfunction (

dhwajabhangam

)

results from ingesting excess, sour, salty, heavy,

incompatible, and unsuitable foods, and drinking excess water. Other causes are irregular

meals, excess use of milk and milk products, weakness from illness, defective seminal

tract, excessive discharge, coitus with animals, and failing to clean the penis and injured

in addition to genetic causes.

There are five types of erectile dysfunction:

vatajam, pittajam, kaphajam, rakthajam,

and

Old age often causes diminished semen and is related to deficiency of the seven body

tissues or transformations (

dhathus

).

27.2.3 Eunuchs (

Napumsak

)

Sushruta Samhita

characterizes five types of eunuchs:

asyeka, saugandhikam, kumbheeka,

male perversion. Perhaps these eunuchs, except

shandakam

, shall have no relevance in the

modern context.

Charak Samhita

describes eight types of eunuchs:

dviretha, pavanednriya,

Although most etiology part may not be acceptable in modern science, at least these types

are parallel with modern clinical practices.

27.3 Treatment

Considering the gravity of male infertility, one part of octapartite Ayurvedic therapeutic

speciality called semen therapy (

beeja poshana

) is devoted to the therapy for male infertility.

in Table 27.1.

sannipathajam; detailed information about each is furnished in Table 27.2.

eershyakam, and shandakam (Table 27.3). These eunuchs are to be inferred essentially as

samskaravahi, narashanda, nareeshanda, vakri, eershyabhirathi, and vatheekashanda (Table 27.4).

genitals. Diet and lifestyle are emphasized as the causative factors for erectile dysfunction

Main causes of impotence are basically (1) impaired and deficient semen (see Section

27.2.1) and (2) erectile dysfunction.

462

Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies

The basic principle of treatment in Ayurveda is to assist the body to heal itself. The

Ayurvedic fundamental principles of repletion (

samtarpana

and

brmhana

) and depletion

(

apatarpana

and

langhana

), consisting of radical (

sodhana

) and conservation (

samana

) treatments,

apply to therapy for male sexual dysfunction, also. Radical therapy adopts techniques

to drain the waste materials of different body compartments through the nearest

channel in a system-friendly manner. Radical therapy, followed by repletion and reproductive

medicine therapy, can probably improve the male reproductive function by cre-

TABLE 27.1

Eight Types of Defective Semen as Identified in Ayurveda

Type Definition Etiology Prognosis Treatment

Vatarethas

Dark-colored frothy

semen; painful

ejaculation

Vata

; vitiated by

wrong lifestyle

and food habits

Easily curable Oliation, fomentation,

purgation, catheterization,

enema through penis, etc.,

along with medicines like

jeevaneeya ghrutham,

chyavan prash

, and

shilajit

Pittarethas

Yellow-colored very

hot semen; burning

sensation and pain

during ejaculation

Pitta

; vitiated by

wrong lifestyle

and food habits

Easily curable Oliation, fomentation,

catheterization, enema

through penis, etc., along

with medicines like

jeevaneya ghrutham,

chyavan prash,

and

shilajit

Kapharethas

Whitish, slimy,

semen; obstructed

and painful

ejaculation

Kapha

; vitiated by

wrong lifestyle

and food habits

Easily curable Oliation, fomentation,

purgation, catheterization,

enema through penis, etc.,

along with medicines like

j

eevaneya ghrutham,

chyavan prash,

and

shilajit

Kunaparethas

Cadaver-smelling

semen; increased in

volume

Vitiated by

excessive coitus,

injury, wound

and by wrong

lifestyle and food

habits, leading to

deterioration of

quality of blood

Curable

Woodfordia floribunda

,

Acacia

catechu

,

Punica granatum

(fruit cover), and

Terminalia arjuna

(bark)

prepared in butter

Grandirethas

Tissue-like semisolid

semen; obstructed

and painful

ejaculation

Kapha

and

vata

viatiated by

wrong lifestyle

and food habits

Curable

Kaempferia galanga

, or

Rotula aquatica

(root), or

ash of

Butea monosperma

prepared in ghee

Poothipooyarethas

Puslike and

malodorous semen

Pitta

and

kapha

vitiated by wrong

lifestyle and food

habits

Curable

Parooshakadi ganam

or

nyagrodhadi ganam

prepared in ghee

Ksheenarethas

Decreased quantity

and quality of

semen; delayed

ejaculation; blood

stains in semen

Vata

and

pitta

vitiated by

excessive coitus,

excessive

exercise, wrong

lifestyle and food

habits

Curable

Panchakarma rasayana

and

vajeekarana

treatment

Moothrapureesharethas

Semen smells like

urine and feces

All three

dosas

,

vitiated by wrong

lifestyle and food

habits

Incurable —

ating an optimal environment for spermatogenesis and improving intratesticular

availability of nutrients.

The concept of radical therapy is highly relevant today in the light of studies emerging

with evidence that the real culprits of infertility are the various tissue toxins (gonadotoxins).

15

These chemicals mimic hormones and impair their secretion, resulting in disruption

of the normal physiological processes. Ayurveda recognizes the concept of weak toxins

and it considers these toxins as one of the causes of subfertility.

As has been explained earlier, the etiology of the various diseases in Ayurvedic perspective

is to be traced to the three basic states of the body (the

tridosas

), namely,

vata

,

pitta

,

and

kapha

. Any aspect of male sexual dysfunction shall be reflection of any one or more

of the

tridosas

. In fact, onset of a disease is due to an upset of the equilibrium of the three

dosas

and the seven tissues or the body transformation processes.

Charak Samhita

recognizes the semen-producing and -transmitting parts of the body

(

sukravahastrotas

). Depletion of hormones (

ojas

) and disruption in the semen-producing

and -transmitting organs can lead to one or more of the manifestations of male sexual

dysfunction. Hormones are considered to be the physical expression of consciousness in

the body and play a role in immunity and procreation. The Ayurvedic remedy for male

TABLE 27.2

Classification of Erectile Dysfunction in Ayurveda

Types Features

Vatajam

Pittajam

Kaphajam

Rakthajam

Sannipathajam

(all the

dosas

acting together)

Effusion, pain, redness

Carbuncles and pus

Increased penis size, lesions, discharge with reddish or dark color, ring-like

processes near the root of penis

Fever, burning sensation, vertigo, dizziness and vomiting; blackish red, red, or

blue discharge

Pain and burning sensation in urinary bladder, testicles, and seminal vesicles;

white and slimy discharge will be present; penis effused; eventually gets

infected with pathogens; foul smell; rotted tip of the penis; entire penis and

testicles can rot and wither off

TABLE 27.3

Eunuchs According to

Sushruta Samhita

Type Feature Etiology

Asyeka

Erection occurs only when one drinks the semen

of another person

Due to quantitative inadequacy

of semen and

rethas

Saugandikam

Erection occurs only when one smells the vagina

or penis

Birth in a malodorous vagina

Kumbheeka

Erection occurs only when another person enters

him through the anus

Not mentioned

Eershyakam

Erection occurs only when one sees another

person making love

Not mentioned

Shandakam

Person has body structure and behavior of a

woman

Due to father making love lying

on his back

sexual dysfunction is aimed not only at the immediate etiological factors of the disease,

but also toward improving the hormonal status of the body. For example, according to

Charaka, in the case of seminal debility a patient must first be prepared for the therapy

through cleansing the body by purgation and, if necessary, by vomiting. Then he must be

given liquid diet and gradually transferred to the natural food so as to improve the body’s

overall health. The specific treatment for increasing the semen and the aphrodisiacs can

be practiced either concurrently or in sequence. This is very clearly reflected in the various

combinations of herbals and other traditional medicinal ingredients in the various

Ayurvedic formulations for male sexual dysfunction.

27.3.1 Polyherbal Formulations

27.3.1.1 Classic Formulas

Among the several polyherbal formulas in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, such as

ghrutham, rasayana, kashyam,

lehyam, etc

., each formula has one or more ingredients that

can take care of male sexual debility. Information about a few of the most important

information is found in classic texts.

Ashtangahrudayam

, in the volume

Utharasthanam

, lists several combinations of herbals

the modern practice, the formulations have been changed or altered by the individual

Ayurvredic practitioners, based on their experiences.

27.3.1.2 Nonclassic Formulas

Although the classical Ayurvedic approach in therapy is still practiced, there has been

a rewarding blend of the Ayurvedic approach and the modern allopathic approach

through adopting phytochemistry and pharmacology. Further, though the birthplace of

TABLE 27.4

Eunuchs According to Charak Samhita

Type Feature Etiology

Dviretha Person having physical characteristics of

a man but behaves like a woman

Zygote produced with sperm and ovum

having equal dominance

Pavanendriya Person has erection but no ejaculation Testicles of fetus destroyed by vata

Samskaravahi Person has damaged seminal vesicles Seminal vesicles damaged by vata due to

vitiation of dosas), accident, or by birth

Narashanda Male with weak sexual urges, poor

semen volume, poor ejaculation, or has

no interest in sexual intercourse

Father should have had these qualities

Nareeshanda Female with weak sexual urges, poor

menstrual flow, or no interest in sexual

intercourse

Mother should have had these qualities

Vakri No erection at all Either the mother had little interest in

sexual intercourse or sperm of father had

weak sexual urges

Eershyabhirathi Erection occurs only when one sees

another person making love

Male and female getting angry during

coitus

Vatheekashanda Due to in utero destruction of testicles;

azoospermic

Vitiated by agni or vata, testicles destroyed

during early pregnancy

classical Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations is furnished in Table 27.5, and more detailed

and other ingredients for management of male reproductive dysfunction (Table 27.6). In

Ayurveda is India, it has come to be adopted worldwide in which traditional medicine

processes of the different regions of the world have been blended. Currently, many

patent formulas are the blend of Ayurvedic herbs along with some herbs in other

countries. In this process of blending, micronutrients and hormones are also managed.

subjected to pharmacological testing.

27.4 Scientific Basis

27.4.1 Ayurvedic Herbs

One of the major pitfalls in Ayurvedic therapy in general, and for male sexual dysfunction

in particular, is that there is very little research with regard to pharmacological testing

and clinical trials. Further, as could be seen from the various chapters in this book, the

same herb (e.g., Withania somnifera, Asparagus racemosus, Tribulus terrestris, etc.) is used

therapeutically for several ailments. Within this limitation an attempt has been made to

review the scientific investigations made on a few of the herbals consistently used as

remedials in male sexual dysfunction in the various combinations.

TABLE 27.5

Classical Polyherbal Ayurvedic Formulations Used in Treating Male Sexual Debility

No. Name Textbook Reference

1 Chyavan prash Ashtangahrudayam

2 Kalyanaka ghrutham Ashtangahrudayam

3 Phalasarpsis Ashtangahrudayam

4 Sathavaryadi ghrutham Sahasrayogam

5 Sukumaram ghrutham Ashtangahrudayam

6 Kalyanakam kashayam Sahasrayogam

7 Sukumaram kashayam Ashtangahrudayam

8 Vidaryadi kashayam Ashtangahrudayam

9 Sukumaram lehyam Ashtangahrudayam

10 Vidaryadi lehyam Ashtangahrudayam

11 Narasimha rasayanam Ashtangahrudayam

12 Sathavari gulam Sahasrayogam

13 Ashwagandhadi lehyam Bhaishajyaratnavali

14 Amruthaprasa rasayanam Ashtangahrudayam

15 Ashwagandharishtam Bhaishajyaratnavali

16 Dhasamoolarishtam Bhaishajyaratnavali

17 Jeevaneya ganam Ashtangahrudayam

18 Nyagrodhadi ganam Ashtangahrudayam

19 Parooshskadi ganam Ashtangahrudayam

20 Bala thailam Sahasrayogam

Note: Only some of the Ayurvedic manufacturers, who produce generic Ayurvedic preparations,

have all these products. Examples include (1) Vaidyarethnam P.S. Varier’s Arya vaidhya

sala, Kottakal, Malappuram District, Kerala, India; (2) Vaidyarethnam Oushadasala, Thaikkattuseri,

Ollur, Thirusur District, Kerala, India; (3) Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates Ltd., Kalayanthani,

Thodupuzha, Kerala, India.

A few such combinations are currently marketed, and their trade names are in Table

27.7. As evident in the following section, very few of these medicinal plants have been

27.4.1.1 Asparagus racemosus

Asparagus racemosus is considered as an aphrodisiac to both males and females.23 In traditional

medicine, the plant is used as a refringent, demulcent, diuretic, aphrodisiac,

anticeptic, alterative, antidiarrheal, antidysentery, and galactagogue agent. It is also used

for nervous and rheumatic complaints. The roots are rejuvenating and carminative; they

are also used as an appetizer, stomachic, and tonic.

27.4.1.2 Cynomorium coccineum

The aqueous extract of this plant increased the weight of the testes, diameter of the

seminiferous tubules, and the number of tubular cell layers in immature rats. It also elicited

notable spermatogenesis in the immature rats. However, serum testosterone and follicle

TABLE 27.6

Ayurvedic Formulations for the Treatment of Male Reproductive Dysfunction (Ashtanga

Hrudayam, Utharasthanam)

Combination Ingredients

Combination 1: To increase

the power of erection and

number of coitus

Taccharum munja (root), Saccharum officinarum (stem), Desmostachya bipinnata

(whole plant), Desmostachys spp., Adenia hondala (tuber), Vetiveria zizanoides

(root), Solanum surattense, Malaxis acuminata (wet stem), Malaxis muscifera (wet

stem), Sida rhombifolia (root and leaves), Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Polygonatum

vertcillatum (root stock), Fritillaria roylei (stem), Lilium polyphyllum (bulb),

Atylosia goensis (seed), Phaseolus trilobus (seed), Asparagus racemosus (tuber),

Withania somnifera (tuber), Vellooppam, Mucuna pruriens (seed), Boerhaavia

diffusa (whole plant), Coccinia grandis (root), Ipomoea paniculata (tuber),

Holostemma ada-kodien (tuber), Cassia absus (seed), Alpinia somnifera (rhizome),

Tribulus terrestris (fruit), Glycyrrhiza glabra (root), Desmodium gangeticum (root),

Phaseolus roxburghii (seed), Emblica officinalis (fruit), cow’s milk, Ficus racemosa

(fruit), Piper longum (dried spike), Scindapsus officinalis (dried spike), Vitis

vinifera (fruit), Phoenix dactylifera, Madhuca longifolia (flower), sugar, Curcuma

angustifolia (rhizome), Piper nigrum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum (bark),

Cinnamomum tamala (leaves), Elettaria cardamomum (seed), Mesua ferrea (flower)

honey

Combination 2: For vitality Ipomoea paniculata (tuber), Piper longum (dried spike), Oryza sp. (seed),

Buchanania lanzan, Hygrophila auriculata (seed), Mucuna pruriens (seed), honey,

sugar, ghee

Combination 3: For vitality Mucuna pruriens (seed), Triticum aestivum (seed), cow’s milk, ghee, honey

Combination 4: For vitality Cow’s milk, ghee, honey, Phaseolus mungo (seed)

Combination 5: For vitality Mucuna pruriens (seed), cow’s milk, Sesamum indicum (seed), sugar

Combination 6: For vitality Ipomoea paniculata (tuber), ghee, honey

Combination 7: For senile

impotence

Emblica officinalis (fruit), ghee, sugar, cow’s milk, Piper longum

Combination 8: To quicken

ejaculation

Glycyrrhiza glabra (root), ghee, cow’s milk, honey

Combination 9: For

impotence

Pistacia integerrima (galls), cow’s milk, ghee, sugar

Combination 10: To

increase sperm count

Holostemma ada-kodien (tuber), cow’s milk, ghee, honey

Combination 11: To

prolong coitus

Curculigo orchioides (tuber), Asparagus racemosus (tuber), sugar, cow’s milk

Combination 12. Senile

impotence

Watery portion of curd, sugar, Oryza sp.

Combination 13: Senile

impotence

Tribulus terrestris (fruit), Hygrophila auriculata (seed), Phaseolus roxburghii (seed),

Mucuna pruriens (seed), Asparagus racemosus (tuber), cow’s milk

TABLE 27.7

Aphrodisiac Formulations Available in the Market

Product Ingredients Contact

Adam’s Secrets Yohimbe, Avena sativa, androstenedione,

saw palmetto, guarana, taurine, Siberian

ginseng, Tribulus terrestris

ArginMax for Men L-Arginine; ginseng; ginkgo; vitamins A, C,

E, B-complex; selenium, zinc, niacin

Ascend for Men Oats, nettle, saw palmetto, damiana, zinc

BetterMan Radix ginseng (ginseng root), Rhizoma

dioscoreae (yam rhizomes), Radix paeoniae

alba (white peony root), Herba epimedii

(aerial parts of epimedium), Cornu cervi

pantotrichum (deer antler), Radix astragali

(astragalus root), Poria cocos (poria

fungus), Radix morindae officinalis

(morinda root), Fructus corni (Cornus

fruit), cortex eucommiac (wood cotton

bark), Radix angelicae sinensis (dong quai

root), Fructus lycii (wolfberry fruit), Radix

rehmanniae (rehmannia root), rhizoma

chuanxiong (Szechuan Lovage root),

Fructus schisandrae (Schisandra fruit),

Acanthopanax senticosus (Siberian

ginseng), Cynomorium songaricum rupr

(fleshy stem of cynomorium), cortex

cinnamomi (cinnamon bark)

Count Plus Mucuna pruriens, Withania somnifera,

Holostemma adakodien, Sida rhombifolia,

Curculigo orchioides, Asparagus racemosus,

Hygrophila auriculata, Glycyrhiza glabra,

cow’s milk, ghee

Endow Plus Yohimbe, damiana, guarana, wild oats,

sarsparilla, ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto

HerbalArouse–M Zinc, selenium, manganese, Lepidium

meyenii (extract), L-Arginine,

L-Methionine, ginkgo biloba (extract),

Eleutherococcus senticosus (extract),

Withania somnifera (extract), Scocolens

forskohilii (extract), Tribulus terrestris

(extract), Lirosma ovata (extract), Avena

sativa (extract), gelatin, Tilophora indica

(extract), bioperine (piperine), bovine

orchic substance, magnesium,

dihydroepiandrosterone

Horny Goat Weed Epimedium grandiflorum (horny goat weed),

Lepidium meyenii (maca pure), Mucuna

pruriens, Polypodium vulgare

Horny Goat Weed

Capsules

Epimedium grandifolium (extract), Schisandra

chinensis (extract), Psoralia coryflora

(extract)

Horny Goat Weed Plus Epimedium sagittatum (horny goat weed),

Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine),

Ptychopetalum uncinatum (muira puama),

Avena sativa (wild oats), Turnera diffusa

(damiana), Korean ginseng, acanthopanax

senticosus (Siberian ginseng), gingko

biloba, nettle, vitamin B6, zinc

E-mail: info@adamssecrets.com

Web: www.arginmax.com

Web: www.herbalremedies.com

Web: www.worldclassnutrition/

phonoremor.html

Web: www.tiger-one.com

Web: www.healingedge.net

Web: www.pinnaclebody.com

E-mail: nhcltdpa@md5.vsnl.net.in

E-mail: cielo@cieloherbals.com

Web: www.discountnaturalherbd.com

stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were lowered in the treated animals. It was suggessted

that the plant extract may have direct spermatogenic effect on the seminiferous tubules

of the immature rats, presumably by exerting a testosterone-like effect. This plant extract

is better than Withania somnifera in this respect.24

In 25-day-old rats, extracts of Cynomorium coccineum elicited significant changes in

gonodotrophin levels coupled with a significant increase in the ovarian weight and profound

folliculogenesis. In 7-day-old animals, these changes were not observed.25,26

No citable clinical studies for this plant showing curative effects for male sexual dysfunction

were found.

27.4.1.3 Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens seed powder, when administrated at the dose of 75 mg/kg/day, increased

the sexual activity of the male albino rats considerably. The different components of

copulatory behavior, including mount frequency, mount latency, intromission frequency,

and intromission latency, were found to be influenced by the test drug. The plant contains,

among other things, levadopa (L-DOPA), which is reported to arouse sexual desire in

patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.27

Earlier, the total alkaloids from the seeds of M. pruriens, composed of five alkaloidal

bases, were found to increase the population of spermatozoa and weight of the testes,

TABLE 27.7 (continued)

Aphrodisiac Formulations Available in the Market

Product Ingredients Contact

Libido-X Tea tree oil, yohimbe, damiana, saw

palmetto, passion flower, Chinese hibiscus

Nirvana Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna pruriens, Withania

somnifera, Matthiola incana, Cherianthus

cheiri, Salvia haematodes, Centaura behen

Teenex Capsules Withania somnifera (ashwagandh), Mucuna

pruriens (cow hage), trivang, Nux vomuca,

Hygrophila spinosa, shilajit, Myristica

fragrans, Ancyclus pyrephrum, mikardhwaj,

Crocus sativus (saffron)

Vibro Plus Ptychopetalum uncinatum (muira pauma

root), catuaba, Jamaican ginger, echinacea,

Turnea diffusa (damiana), panax ginseng

(ginseng), Avena sativa (wild oat), cayenne,

schizandra, yohimbe bark

Vigor™ Borage oil, organic flaxseed oil, puncture

vine, Withania somnifera (extract), gingko

biloba (extract), zinc sulphate, vitamin E,

gingerol, pyridoxine HCl, folic acid

Fax: (713) 683-8796/920-1917

Vita Sex Epimedium sagittatum (horny goats weed),

Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine),

Ptychopetalum uncinatum (muira puama),

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian

ginseng), Withania somnifera

(ashwagandha), Turnera diffusa (damiana),

Lepidium meyenii (maca), Smilax officinalis

(sarsaparilla), ginkgo biloba

Source: From various Web sources. Constituents are listed as found in their respective Web sites. The authors do

not hold responsibility to the accuracy; the list is not exhaustive but only indicative.

Web: www.male-sexualenhancement.

com

Web: www.herbal-nirvana.com

E-mail: odpl@sancharnet.in

E-mail: vhssales@viable-herbal.com

E-mail: Jac53@prodigy.net

E-mail: health@feelgoodnatural.com

seminal vesicles, and prostate in the albino rat. Isolation of various chemical constituents

has been reported. Beta sitosterol has been isolated from unsaponisable part of the petroleum

ether extract of the seeds.28,29 No citable clinical studies for this plant showing

curative effects for male sexual dysfunction were found.

27.4.1.4 Piper longum

In Ayurveda and folk medicine, Piper longum fruit is an important ingredient of herbal

mixtures used as aphrodisiacs and sexual tonics. This is also supported by animal experiments.

Acute (2-h) and chornic (90-day) oral toxicity studies of the ethanolic extract of

Piper longum were carried out in mice. Piper longum extract (0.1 g/kg for 90 days) caused

a significant increase in the weight of the lungs and spleen in the treated animals. Interestingly,

the extract induced a significant increase in the weight of the reproductive organs,

sperm motility, and sperm count but failed to elicit any spermatotoxic effect.30 However,

it exerted antifertility effect in female rats.31 No citable clinical studies for this plant

showing curative effects for male sexual dysfunction were found.

27.4.1.5 Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is used as a diuretic, cardiotonic, aphrodisiac, emollient, appetiser, expectorant,

laxative, etc. It is also used to cure cough, asthma, anemia, and inflammation, and

in treatment of male urinary problems and impotence.32 Tribulus terrestris extract has been

found to increase testosterone and spermatogenesis in male animals.33

Tribulus terrestris extract (2.5 to 10 mg/kg) treatment for 8 weeks daily resulted in an

increase in the relaxation of penile tissue isolated from treated animals compared with

that in the control. The relaxant response to electrical field simulation, acetyl choline, and

nitroglycerin in noradrenaline-treated precoxified corpus cavernosal tissue from the

treated group was found to be higher compared with that in the control. It was concluded

that the enhanced relaxant effect observed was probably due to an increase in the release

of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrinergic nerve endings, which may account

for its claim as an aphrodisiac.34

The alkaloids isolated from T. terrestris, harmane and nor-harmane (54 mg/kg), caused

limb paresis which, in some sheep, was body-side based. It was proposed that these

alkaloids accumulate in tryptamine-associated neurons of the central nervous system

(CNS) during months of tribulus feeding and gradually interact irreversibly with a specific

neuronal gene dexoribonucleic acid sequence.35

A recent study has shown that protodioscin, a phytochemical in T. terrestris, improves

sexual desire and enhances erection via the conversion of protodioscin to dehydroepiandrosterone.

36–38 No citable clinical study for this plant showing curative effects for male

sexual dysfunction was found.

27.4.1.6 Tricopus zeylanicus

Recently, it has been shown that the ethanol extract of Tricopus zeylanicus has aphrodisiac

activity in male mice as evidenced by an increase in the number of mounts and mating

performance. Repeated daily administration was more effective than a single dose. The

pups fathered by the treated mice were found to be normal with respect to fetal growth,

litter size, and sex ratio.39 No citable clinical studies for this plant showing curative effects

for male sexual dysfunction were found.

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to H H Maharshi ji,  Brahmasri Sreeman Lakshmi Chandra Mishra ji and other eminent medical scholars and doctors   for the collection)