THE AYURVEDA WAY
In ayurveda, aphrodisiacs are viewed
not only in a sexual but health context as well. Explains
local ayurvedic physician Dr J Nirubha. “The ayurvedic
point of view is that by increasing the strength of
the sexual organs, the overall health of the body
is also boosted.” To do that, eating certain combinations
of foods or vajikarana recipes can nourish the reproductive
fluids or ‘shukra’.
“The shukra is the cream of all the tissue elements
in the body,” explains Dr Nirubha. “It not only has
the capacity to create a new life, it also returns
our cells to the vigour of youth.” However, for the
vajikarana to work, Dr Nirubha notes that the patient
must first be physically and mentally cleansed of
undigested food matter and negative emotions and stress.
The ingredients for the three Ayurvedic aphrodisiac
recipes given below are available at many Indian herbal
stores – try Serangoon Road. |
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Ashwagandha
With a name that means ‘smells like a stallion’
in Sanskrit, it is not hard to deduce what this pungent
root (withania somnifera) can do for your horsepower. Ashwagandha
replenishes reproductive fluids which, when depleted, can
have adverse effects on general health. To help men stock
up their internal ‘fountain of youth’, ashwagandha can be
taken in the form of a jam, which is mixed with a tablespoonful
of milk and eaten before bed.
Shatavari
The female equivalent to ashwagandha,
it unabashedly means ‘she who possesses 100 husbands’ in
Sanskrit. The star ingredient in the concoction is asparagus
racemosus – a wild form of asparagus that has been relied
on for centuries to bring relief to problems such as premenstrual
symptoms and enhancing milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
However, not much scientific attention has been paid to
this special plant for women.To “increase the capacity for
love making”, Dr Nirubha explains that shatavari is a mixture
of ghee, honey and a pinch of long pepper powder that is
taken twice a day with a cup of boiled milk each time.
Amalaki
New-age guru Deepak Chopra wrote in his book,
Grow Younger Live Longer, that this Indian gooseberry became
an ayurvedic aphrodisiac owing to a mythology. In it, an
elderly sage was asked by a king to marry his daughter.
Concerned that he would not be able to satisfy his young
bride, he turned to an amalaki-based jam that restored his
youthful vitality.
Today, research shows that the Vitamin C-rich fruit is also
a cholesterol-lowering agent, DNA protector, and carcinogen
detoxifier.
To make “even the aged copulate like youths”, Dr Nirubha
suggests mixing the gooseberry fruit with sugar, honey,
ghee and long pepper powder, and taking just a tablespoonful
of it, followed by drinking some milk.
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TCM
POINTS OF VIEW
From the Traditional Chinese Medicine
point of view, sexual dysfunction is intrinsically
linked to a yin or yang deficiency, or a combination
of both, of the kidneys. Professor Wu Min, who practises
at TCMS Healthcare Limited in Singapore, explains
that even though patients may share similar sexual
dysfunction, the combination of herbs prescribed can
be different. “No two patients are alike as the root
of their problems varies from person to person,” she
explains. “So it is crucial that patients seek the
professional advice of physicians when it comes to
treating their sexual problems with Chinese herbs.”
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Rou Cong Rong
Sweet and salty in nature, the rou cong rong rhizome (cistanche
salas) is often prescribed to reinforce kidney yang, and
benefit the body’s essence and blood. Boosting these elements
is crucial, as Prof Wu claims that a deficiency in them
is believed to be the leading cause of impotence, sterility
and spermatorrhea (involuntary discharge of sperm without
orgasm). “The dosage and herbal combination are customised
to meet the patient’s needs after consultation with the
physician,” notes Prof Wu.
She adds that 10 to 15g of the raw root is commonly used
if it is to be made into a brew. In its extracted and concentrated
form, the dosage can start from 1g; extractions of rou cong
rong can also be made into a tea.
Jue Ming Zi
Sometimes, sexual problems can be manifestations of too
much yang. In such situations, jue ming zi, or the ripe
seed of sickelpod (cassia obtusifolia), may sometimes be
prescribed. This is because the slightly ‘cold’ nature of
the fruit is excellent for ‘cooling’ down the body.
“Jue ming zi is highly valued in ancient Chinese medical
annals,” notes Prof Wu. “The bitter and salty fruit has
also been credited as an eyesight booster.” In extract form,
as little as 1g can sometimes be prescribed to bring the
heatiness down. Again, do consult a professional.
Sha Yuan Zi
This dried herb, commonly known as astragalus seed or milkvetch
seed (astragalus complanatus), has a bittersweet taste and,
according to Prof Wu, is considered ‘warm’ in nature. “It
acts on the liver and kidney channels to reinforce the kidney,”
she says.
Sha yuan zi treats symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency
such as impotence, seminal emission and spermatorrhea.
Again, its dosage and herbal combination have to be determined
by a physician. Generally, in its raw form, 6 to 9g is sufficient
per dose. Like rou cong rong, it is also available in extracts
that can be made into a tea.
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NATUROPATH BELIEFS
As the name suggests, naturopathy is based on natural
remedies and the belief that the body can heal itself.
To create the optimum healthy environment to promote
self-healing, here are some suggestions: |
Yohimbe
This ancient aphrodisiac gets its name from its origin as
the inner bark of the tropical
West African tree, corynanthe yohimbe. Though relatively
unknown in Asia, this herb has been widely recognised as
a sexual tonic for centuries by South Africans.
Yohimbe owes its reputation largely to its ability to flood
blood vessels in the genitals, and raise levels of the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine, which stimulates areas controlling sexual
response in the brain,
even in low doses. Yohimbe is available in capsule form,
but do get a qualified person to determine individual doses,
especially if you have heart and blood pressure problems.
Tongkat ali
A popular aphrodisiac from Malaysia, this herb works on
the supposed premise of stimulating the hormones that are
responsible for both mental and physical arousal. Fans of
tongkat ali (Latin name: eurycoma longifolia jack) even
claim that it is easier to maintain control over erections.
Folklore or fact? Studies done on rodents at the School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Universiti Sains Malaysia
in Penang, Malaysia, showed that indeed, root extracts of
the tree can increase libido in middle-aged male rats.
For tongkat ali to work on humans, the dosage varies from
person to person. However, the general guideline is to boil
20g of roots in 500ml of water for 30 minutes, and drink
the water twice a day. The roots can be boiled again three
to four times until the bitterness is gone. Repeat the whole
process with new roots until the desired effect is achieved.
Chrysin
The female hormone, estrogen, is also present in men but
produceded in minute amounts as a by-product of the natural
testosterone conversion process. Chrysin, a bioflavanoid
extract present in several types of plants, has been found
to prevent this conversion, says Dr Irfan Qureshi, a naturopathic
physician from Complementary Health Care.
“Chrysin can be used to overcome deficiency
of testosterone, increase fertility and libido, and increase
sperm count in men,” adds Dr Qureshi, citing one study which
showed that men who used chrysin had a 40 per cent increase
in levels of free testosterone, and a 40 per cent decrease
in levels of estrogen. Tablets or capsules of chrysin are
commercially available in health food stores.
Nettle root
This root herb (Latin name: urtica dioica) for men is said
to increase circulation of the blood to the sexual organs
to prolong erections.
Dr Qureshi adds that it also has a beneficial effect on
prostatic enlargement, which can be a cause of decreased
libido in some men.
Nettle root works by attaching itself to the Sex Hormone
Binding Globulin (SHBG), a naturally occurring substance
in the body that binds itself to testosterone. “When SHBG
receptor sites are bound by nettle, more free testosterone
can be used by the body to promote libido and fertility,”
says Dr Qureshi.
Meanwhile, other studies have also uncovered nettle root’s
other use – improve orgasms. Apparently, the root extract
allows contracted blood vessels to vasodilate or relax.
This increases the blood flow through the vessels (including
to the sexual organs) to increase the force of contraction.
Nettle root can be consumed in capsule, tablet, or as an
herbal tea, which are available in health food stores. The
dosage varies from person to person, but in general, it
can be taken twice daily in 250mg tablets or capsules; or
one to two cups of herbal tea daily.
Muira Puama
This South American folk medicine is derived from a shrub
(ptychopetalum olacoides) which grows in the Amazon region
of Brazil. Also known as ‘potency wood’, it has been used
to enhance libido, increase stamina, and boost the ability
to maintain erections.
According to Dr Qureshi, a study examining the effect of
muira puama on the lack of sexual desire, or the inability
to attain or maintain erection, reaped results that were
promising. “Sixty-two per cent of the patients with loss
of libido rated the treatment as having a dynamic effect,”
cites Dr Qureshi.
In another study, muira puama use led to significantly increased
frequency of intercourse in 66 per cent of the couples sampled.
Seventy per cent reported intensification of libido, while
55 per cent found that the stability of erection during
intercourse was restored.
Muira puama can be consumed in capsule, tablet, or as an
herbal tea. In general, a 1.5g dosage in capsule or tablet
form is advised daily, or drink one cup of the herbal tea
daily. Available in health food stores.
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