Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Impotence – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Erectile dysfunction is also known as ED, or in simple words, impotence.

Definition: ED is defined as an inability to get and maintain erection of the penis, firm enough for sex. It is important to note that ED may happen even in normal persons from time to time. Depression; stress; anxiety; relationship issues; physical or mental exhaustion; worry; financial and emotional issues – all these can cause ED either temporarily or on a long term basis.

Medical causes of ED: Medical condition which can cause ED are diabetes; heart conditions; high cholesterol; high blood pressure; prostate surgery; radiation treatment of cancer; trauma; medications for pain control, blood pressure, allergy and depression; and the use of illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Complications/ Effects of ED:  ED can cause an unsatisfactory sex life; stress or anxiety; embarrassment or low self esteem; relationship problems; and possibly, infertility.

Prevention of ED: ED may occur as a normal and routine part of the ageing process. However, several steps can be taken to prevent ED. These include: 1) regular check ups and medical screening. 2) Treat medical conditions for physical, emotional and psychological issues. 3) Consider the option of stopping, reducing, or changing ED - causing medications (strictly with medical advice). 4) Exercise regularly 5) Maintain optimum weight 6) Stop smoking as well as the use of alcohol and illegal drugs 7) control stress.

Conventional Treatment of ED: The standard and conventional treatment of ED is as follows: 1) Treat the known cause 2) Increase Nitric Oxide(NO) using medicines like Viagra ( strictly with medical advice); such medicines may be contra-indicated in patients having heart disease, heart failure and low blood pressure. 3) Injectable medicines, to be administered directly into the penis 4) Urethral suppository 5) Replace testosterone 6) Penis pumps 7) Penile implants 8) Exercise 9) Psychological counseling.

Natural Treatments for ED: ED can be treated naturally with the help of : 1) Diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish 2) Exercise of moderate to intense activity, about 4 to 5 days a week 3) Good quality sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours daily 4) Losing excess weight and maintaining weight at optimum levels 5) Maintaining a positive, healthy attitude and good self esteem 6) Sex counseling 7) Stress management 8) Reduce or stop alcohol intake 9) Stop smoking completely 10) Adequate sun exposure or take Vitamin D supplements 11) Ensure adequate Zinc intake in the diet or take Zinc supplements 12) Inculcate the habit of nasal breathing.

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of ED: The Ayurvedic treatment of ED can be in the form of: A) Local application: These include oils or ointments of medicines like Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), Latakasturi (Musk mallow), Jaiphal (Nutmeg), Lavang (cloves) and Tejpatta (Bay leaves). These medicines have a stimulant effect which causes vasodilation when applied to the penis, and help in maintaining erection. B) Oral medications: These include several Ayurvedic medicines which have different modes of action in treating ED. These include the following: 1) Herbs like Dalchini (Cinnamon), Adrak (Ginger), Methi (Fenugreek), Kesar (Saffron) and fruits like Anar (Pomegranate). All these have blood thinning properties, reduce cholesterol, and increase blood flow in the arteries 2) Herbs and Foods which increase Testosterone: these include Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilliunum), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Shilajit (Asphaltum punjabianum), Kraunch beej (Mucuna pruriens), Carrots, Beetroot and Spinach 3) Central nervous system stimulants: These act on the nervous system and increase sexual desire. These include medicines like Shilajit, Vardhara (Argyreia nervosa), Shuddha Kuchla (Purified nux vomica), Abhrak Bhasma (purified Mica), Kasturi (Moschus chrysogaster) and Vang bhasma (Purified Tin ash) 4) Nervous system sedatives: These reduce anxiety, stress and relax muscles and thereby help in ED.  These include medicines like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) 5) Nervous system stabilizers: On a long term basis, these medicines help stabilize the nervous system and therefore help with ED. Medicines included in this category include Swarna bhasma (Purified Gold ash), Raupya bhasma (Purified Silver ash) and Ras Sindoor. Some well known Ayurvedic formulations which belong to this category are Bruhat Vat Chintamani, Bruhat Kasturi Bhairav Ras, Vasant Kusumakar Ras, and Trivang Bhasma.

It is important to note that most of the above mentioned herbs exhibit therapeutic actions at multiple levels, and may also have both short acting as well as long acting properties.

Disclaimer: Avoid self medication. Do not stop or change medication without medical advice. Take treatment from qualified and experienced physicians. Even for Ayurvedic medicines, take advice from a qualified and experienced Ayurvedic practitioner. Use good quality medicines and herbs. Avoid taking herbal powders of undisclosed content and from unreliable sources.  

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Cancer and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Cancer is a serious medical condition and almost every lay-person is well aware that it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Modern medicine has made immense progress in treating the nearly more than 200 types of cancer seen in day-to-day practice. The standard treatments available are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biological immunostimulant treatments; most of the times, a combination of these are judiciously used.

While there is an immediate improvement with these treatments for a vast majority of patients, in the long run, the high cost of treatment and the side effects take a heavy toll. Within a few months or a few years, the disease begins to relapse or recur for an alarmingly high percentage of patients.

Ayurvedic treatment is immensely useful in these scenarios both as a supplementary as well as a stand-alone treatment. Side effects of modern treatment include skin rash, vomiting, loose motions, hair fall, as well as more serious effects such as liver and kidney toxicity. Severe or serious side effects cause a break in the treatment or necessitate a change in the treatment protocol. Concurrent Ayurvedic herbal treatment is usually quite effective in preventing as well as treating all the known side effects of modern medicines, thus allowing the treatment cycle to be completed as planned.

Ayurvedic medicine can also be effectively used in patients who do not respond to modern treatment, or have relapsed in spite of the best available modern treatment. Depending upon the severity of the condition, Ayurvedic treatment can be either given as a stand-alone treatment or in addition to the ongoing modern treatment. Even patients who are on end stage palliative treatment can benefit considerably with the addition of Ayurvedic treatment. One such example is of Ayurvedic treatment of different types of leukemias, where the treatment has cured patients who relapsed in spite of taking several cycles of modern available treatment.

It is the need of the hour to validate and document such Ayurvedic treatment protocols, and make them universally available.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com