Complimentary therapy

Complimentary or herbal remedies are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions which include impotence. They can be effective but be careful of advertisements which claim to ‘ cure’ impotence as there may not be any scientific evidence to support this claim.

Complimentary remedies like any form of medicine do cause side effects so check first with your GP before you try them.

Examples of herbal remedies include:

• Aphrodisiacs
• Yohimbe
• Gingko Biloba
• Korean Red Ginseng

Aphrodisiacs

An aphrodisiac is a substance which increase libido, desire and performance. There are many claims made for their effectiveness in this aspect but others argue that it may be a placebo effect.

There are several types of aphrodisiac which are marketed as cures for impotence. These include rhino horn, Spanish fly, oysters, figs and dark chocolate.

Yohimbe

This is a naturally occurring substance which is obtained from the bark of a West African evergreen tree. It is available as both a prescription medication and over the counter medicine for the treatment of impotence.

Large doses of yohimbe can cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and in some cases, kidney failure.

Side effects include anxiety, insomnia, nausea and dizziness.

It is not advisable for men suffering from a psychological disorder or a physical condition such as liver or kidney disease.

Another type of aphrodisiac is Spanish fly but this also has side effects, some of which are potentially life threatening.

Speak to your GP first before you take any aphrodisiac.

Gingko Biloba

This is a popular herbal remedy which is taken by many people to improve blood circulation, memory, short term memory loss and sexual problems such as impotence.

However, there are side effects with using Gingko Biloba which include increased risk of bleeding (important for people with a blood clotting disorder), seizures, headaches, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting.

Gingko Biloba can cause an adverse effect when taken with other forms of medication such as warfarin (blood thinner), aspirin, heparin, corticosteroids and anti-depressants.

Korean Red Ginseng

This is a popular form of Ginseng which is taken for its various health benefits which include memory enhancement and increased libido.

This type of ginseng contains essential oils, vitamins, enzymes and amino acids which can help to boost energy levels, relieve stress, stimulate oestrogen levels in menopausal women and stimulate blood flow to the penis. Ginseng is often taken for its positive effects on the libido.

But there are side effects of using ginseng which include nausea, hot flushes (menopause), insomnia, high blood pressure and hyperactivity.