Herbal Medicine for Men
Falling testosterone levels in midlife can adversely affect a
man's health on several fronts. Herbs can help.
by Heather Scott
The Herb Quarterly, Fall 2004
Sports car commercials reply in your head as you sit in your
office, desperately trying to keep your mind on the projects at hand. Instead,
you find yourself watching the clock and daydreaming of a bullet-silver coupe
barreling down Highway 101. Leaving work later that day, you chuckle as you
think of the stereotypical images of a midlife crisis. But that night, after the
children have gone to bed, you suddenly feel exceptionally exhausted, irritable,
and anxious. When you and your partner finally tumble into bed, you're more
depressed than amorous. You suffer a twinge of panic and wonder: "Is
this a midlife crisis?"
Ever since psychiatrist Erik Erikson coined the term
"midlife crisis" more than 30 years ago, many men have thought they
had a psychological explanation for their fantasies of fast cars. But new
information shows that the sleepless nights, sadness, and inability to
concentrate bay be due to a physiological shift.
Known as andropause, or male menopause, the changes involve
decreased levels of testosterone that occur in men between the ages of 40 and
55. According to researchers at the Institute of Endocrinology and Reproductive
Medicine in Atlanta, about 40 percent of men experience lethargy, depression,
irritability, mood swings, loss of bone density, decreased lean muscle,
increased fat anemia, and decreased libido sometime after they reach 40. As with
female menopause, these alterations can precipitate marked changes in bodily
function and mental outlook.
So what should you do if you think you're experiencing the onset
of andropause? Fortunately, you can employ one of the many herbal options that
temper the effects of midlife changes. The following suggestions will help boost
your energy, aid in relaxation, and keep your heart and prostate healthy.
Overall Wellness
Some herbs target specific organs, while others influence
overall well-being. We'll start with the big picture, with botanicals that tame
overall stress and increase energy and sexual vitality.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Sometimes called "Indian ginseng" or "winter
cherry," ashwagandha has been the primary Ayurvedic restorative men's tonic
for more than 4,000 years. Ashwagandha works as an adaptogen, stimulating the
immune system and helping the body fight stress. Laboratory studies show it can
produce nitric oxide, a component known to dilate blood vessels, making it a
beneficial aphrodisiac.
Gingko (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo, the oldest living tree species, has a history of
medicinal use dating back 200 million years. Ginkgo increases metabolism,
regulates neurotransmitters, reduces serum cholesterol levels, and boosts oxygen
levels in the brain -- aspects that make it a valuable herb for aiding in memory
and concentration, circulation, and sexual potency.
A 1991 study published in the Journal of Sex Education &
Therapy reported that ginkgo biloba extract helped men regain sexual capability.
In the study, 50 men with erectile dysfunction took ginkgo extract for nine
months. Some had already tried pharmaceutical drugs for their problem, but soon
found that with the continued use of ginkgo, they regained sexual function.
Korean or Chinese Ginseng (Panax
ginseng)
Ginseng's popularity as a sexual tonic goes back more than 2,000
years. Most commonly used by elderly people in Asia to improve mental and
physical vitality, ginseng has recently gained popularity as a tonic and energy
booster.
Laurel Vukovic, and herbalist in Ashland, Oregon, recommends the
use of ginseng for men in their midlife years: "Panax ginseng is an
excellent vitality, energy, and longevity tonic. It nourishes the adrenal glands
and helps the body adapt more easily to stressors."
Ginseng extract stimulates the production of interferons, lowers
cholesterol, decreases triglyceride levels, and enhances blood testosterone
levels, making it beneficial for nearly every aspect of men's health.
Yohimbe ( Pausinystalia johimbe)
Cultivated in South Africa, yohimbe bark is a treatment for male
sexual dysfunction. Many herbalists and doctors report that the herb works for
one-third of the men who take it. Yohimbe bark produces a chemical reaction in
the body that helps alleviate impotence caused by tension, stress, or fatigue.
Yohimbe also increases the body's production of norepinephrine, a chemical
essential in healthy sexual function. Yohimbine, the chemical constituent of
yohimbe, increases libido, stamina, and sensation.
Yohimbe was the basis of yohimbine hydrochloride, the first oral
anti-impotency drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It's marked
under the names Yocon and Yohimex.
Note: Avoid using yohimbe in combination with
antidepressants, including St John's wort, due to possible side effects.
Heart Health
Startlingly, one in five men in the US (more than 350,000 men
annually) dies from heart disease before reaching 75 years of age. In addition
to a proper diet and plenty of exercise, the following herbs can help keep your
heart in top form.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
The bulbs of this well-recognized member of the lily family have
been cultivated for thousands of years. Among the world's most respected
traditional healing plants, garlic also has modern studies to its credit
confirming its influence on the heart.
"[Garlic's] positive effects on circulation are not the
result of any one single pharmacological mechanism," explains Steven
Foster, a well-known herbalist and aromatic plant specialist. "Rather, they
combine a number of well-researched effects working in concert to produce
benefits." For andropausal men and others looking to reap garlic's
benefits, these include protecting the vessels from free radicals, which helps
lower blood cholesterol levels. "By lowering lipids in the blood [such as
cholesterol and triglycerides], it benefits the heart," Foster adds.
"It also increases flow of blood to the capillaries, helping to reduce
blood pressure."
Hawthorne (Crataegus oxyacantha)
"Hawthorne is my favorite herb for strengthening and
protecting the cardiovascular system," says Vukovic. This herb, whose name
comes from the Greek kratos, meaning "strong" or
"powerful," works to abate one of the more common causes of death in
the industrialized world: cardiac arrest due to lack of blood flow to the heart.
According to renowned herbalist Christopher Hobbs, LAc, AHG,
pharmacological tests have shown that hawthorne helps engender a stronger
pumping action in the heart, increasing cardiac performance and output and
reducing the vascular resistance that adds to the heart's workload. He adds that
it also "increases the heart's tolerance for oxygen deficiency, such as
might happen during stress or excitement, or in diseases where the arteries are
partially blocked." For these reasons, hawthorne makes a great choice for
andropause.
Psyllium (Plantago afra)
Psyllium's tiny seeds, which come from the plant's stalk, create
a gel-forming substance that builds fiber. In 1998, the FDA allowed cereal
companies to advertise that "eating soluble fiber foods such as psyllium as
part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart
disease." This statement testifies to the research behind this powerful
medicinal herb.
Psyllium's strength lies in its ability to lower serum
cholesterol levels. Note that when adding psyllium to your diet, you should be
sure to drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily to avoid
gastrointestinal upset.
Prostate Health
Jed Diamond, a psychotherapist and author of Male Menopause
(Sourcebooks Trade, 1998), reports that all men face nearly a 100-percent
guarantee of developing least one of three conditions of the prostate: cancer of
the prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or prostatitis. The following
trio of herbs have the backing of many doctors -- especially in Europe, where
this combination is often prescribed.
Pygeum (Pygeum africanum)
Heralding from en evergreen prune tree that grows predominantly
in central and southern Africa, pygeum's powdered bark was historically used by
native people to treat urinary disorders. Later, Europeans in Africa began to
use this herb as a valuable treatment for BPH.
Today, pygeum's use continues in Europe as a treatment for
prostate disorders. In France, more than 80 percent of all doctors'
prescriptions for BPH include pygeum extract. The plant contains
phytotestosterols that produce anti-inflammatory effects in the prostate, as
well as reducing prolactin levels and blocking the accumulation of cholesterol
in the prostate. Other studies show that pygeum acts as a mild antibiotic, which
may explain why the herb works so well to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis as
well as BPH.
Saw Palmetto (Seronoa repens)
Native American use of saw palmetto to fruits dates back more
than 2,000 years. Found mostly in Florida, saw palmetto is a low-growing tree
that produces small, pungent berries. Native Floridians often used saw palmetto
to treat impotence, inflammation of the prostate, and low libido in men.
Saw palmetto berries also help alleviate benign prostate
enlargement. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, research
has proven that saw palmetto reduces symptoms associated with benign prostatic
hyperplasia.
Michael Murray, ND, co-author of the Encyclopedia of Natural
Medicine (Prima Lifestyles, 1997), points to numerous studies on saw
palmetto extract that prove its efficacy in nearly 90 percent of patients --
usually in a period of just four to six weeks. "Clearly, the saw palmetto
extract is superior to Proscar," he adds, referring to a prescription drug
commonly used to treat BPH.
Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica)
An herb that grows wild in the United States, stinging nettle
exhibits a highly therapeutic effect on the prostate gland. Like Pygeum, sting
nettle contains phytotestosterols that exert an anti-inflammatory action on
prostate tissue. Scientists have found that stinging nettle root works
synergistically with pygeum. In fact, doctors in Europe commonly prescribe a
combination of the two for men dealing with prostate disorders.
A recent study used a combination of pygeum and stinging nettle
root. A majority of the 2,080 patients suffering from BPH showed marked
improvement in symptoms after a regimen of stinging nettle root and pygeum.
Mental Rx
Men today face a veritable maze of stressors, from the pressures
of relationships and family to job insecurity. As a man, you may carry personal
problems close to your heart, rather than air them openly. Unfortunately, this
can sometimes beget more tension, wich manifests as restlessness, insomnia, and
sexual dysfunction.
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
A tranquil herb, passion flower is a mild sedative and
aphrodisiac. As Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd wrote in the King's
American Dispensatory, back in 1898, "It gives sleep to those who are
laboring under the effects of mental worry or from mental overwork."
The German Commission E formally approves of passion flower for
the treatment of insomnia and nervousness. In studies conducted since the 1930s,
researchers have found passion flower quite different from most sedative drugs,
such as sleeping pills. Their studies classify passion flower as a non-addictive
herb and a viable, safe alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
According to herbalist Andrew Chevalier, "Valerian reduces
mental over-activity and nervous excitability, helping people who find it hard
to 'switch off.' " With its ability to calm rather than sedate the body and
mind, this herb offers benefit for nearly any stress-related condition.
Hobbs suggests using valerian in conjunction with California
poppy. The two herbs work synergistically to help relieve anxiety and tension --
two emotions that often trigger male sexual dysfunction.
Wild Oat (Avena fatua)
"Wild oat is well-known as a mild sexual enhancer and
relaxing herb," explains Hobbs. "Wild oat can relax without lowering
sexual desire." He recommends this herb for treating male impotence, as it
can restore natural testosterone levels.
Avena fatua is Latin for "wild oat," and as
explained by noted natural health advocate and physician Andrea Weil, MD,
"Not surprisingly, the sexual stimulation engendered is the source of the
phrase 'sowing your wild oats.' " Horses fed wild oats reportedly become
libidinous, although no studies exist to prove the herb elicits the sme reaction
in humans. However, many men can personally attest to the herb's ability to
relax the mind while also working as an aphrodisiac.
None of these herbs will serve as a cure-all for all your ills,
but they will help calm your spirit, increase energy and sexual vitality, and
keep your heart in top health. Many men fear the changes of mid-life, seeing
them only as a glaring reminder of mortality. But as Jed Diamond aptly points
out, "[This] is not the beginning of the end, as most fear, but the end of
the beginning. It is the passage to the most passionate, powerful, productive,
and purposeful time of a man's life." With a few key botanicals on your
side, that passage is made all the more rewarding.
As with many supplements, check first with your physician,
herbalist, or naturopath before taking new herbs or combining them with
prescription medication.
A former associate editor at HQ, Heather Scott recently wrote
"An Herbal Pregnancy Kit," which appeared in our Spring 2004 issue.
Contact her at imagnart@aol.com
Natural Health Hut
