Yohimbe, ginkgo excellent for impotence
Impotence is the most common and probably the most humiliating sexual disorder among men. More than 25 percent of men over the age of 50 suffer from some form of impotence. There are many factors that cause impotence, but there are a few that stand out from the list: aging and atherosclerosis.
As men age, testosterone levels in the body plummet. Preventative measures can be taken long before impotence begins interfering with sexual activity, though.
Other than simply getting older, atherosclerosis is believed to be the most frequent cause of impotence. An erection is the result of nerve impulses that cause the dilation of the arteries in the penis. Blood fills the tissue of the organ and it lengthens. Men with atherosclerosis are unable to achieve and/or maintain an erection because proper levels of blood do not reach the organ due to the rigidity of the arteries.
Luckily, some measures can be taken to repair the body's inability to achieve an erection. First of all, consume a diet that is high in fiber, which can help improve circulation and counteract impotence. A diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates can be also be helpful to improve circulation.
It probably goes without saying, but avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and high sugar foods. In regard to herbal remedies, there are a few that are very helpful.
Ginkgo biloba may help to improve impotence by increasing oxygen to the genital area. Ginkgo may help improve penile arterial blood flow. A German study found that half of the men in the study showed benefits from ginkgo supplementation.
Yohimbe is listed in the Physicians Desk Reference as a sensual stimulant. It has been found to be effective in treating both organic (physiological) and psychogenic (mental) forms of impotence. The aphrodisiac effects associated with yohimbe are related to this dilation. Yohimbe increases the blood flow and enlarges the vessels in the sexual organs as well as increases reflex excitability in the lower spinal cord. Yohimbe has been found to make erections harder and firmer through increased circulation to the area. It is also thought to aid in maintaining an erection by causing a compression and preventing the blood from flowing out of the organ.