Sex and Ginseng: Men's Health

Do you get the feeling that God is playing a practical joke?-Rita Rudner

PEAKS and VALLEYS

Oh, the joys of aging. One gains so many things: wisdom, patience, fortitude... Unfortunately one also accrues pounds and problems with sex. The last treasure on my list forms part of a billion dollar industry that targets men. After all, there seems to be some truth in the quote above. Many doctors such as Michael Roizen M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic, support the idea that men reach their sexual peak in their 20's and that women do so in their 30's. It's no wonder that men are bombarded with products that are purported to help them regain or maintain a solid sex life as they grow older.

SEXY GINSENG

"Stamina"-it's a beloved word in Asia. "Vitality" is a close runner- up. A few years back, the company that I was working for sent me to Korea for a project. My co-workers and I noticed a trend right away; a variety of products used these words (in English) in their packaging. It was as if everything ranging from toothpaste to tea promised men great sex. After asking around and looking more closely, I realized that most of these products touted ginseng as their secret ingredient. It makes sense. Ginseng, after all is one of Korea's big exports. Indeed, at every cash register I reached, I encountered ginseng in one way shape or form, marketed towards men in search of the fountain of sexual youth. So what's with the ginseng? Does it really work? Does it really help men with performance issues?

AGE and "PERFORMANCE ISSUES"

Well, to begin with let me address what I mean by "performance issues" and what I mean by "ginseng". By performance issues, I mean Erectile Dysfunction. For those men who have come across this article, chances are you've read this a thousand times, but for those readers who haven't, here are some facts: There are many causes for impotence, also known as ED. Some of them are physical, some are psychological and in some cases the condition results as a side-effect from medications or a combination of these elements. ED can present itself in young and older men alike. The correlation between ED and aging doesn't have to do with age itself, but rather the conditions that arise with age and the treatments that are required once things like heart conditions or diabetes arise (Mayo Clinic).

WHICH IS WHICH

As for ginseng, here's the lowdown. There are three kinds: American, Asian or Siberian. American and Asian ginseng is widely used. However, according to practitioners of Eastern Medicine, they have different healing effects. This piece focuses on Asian ginseng also known as red, Korean or Panax ginseng. ( It is the one associated with boosting sex drive and improving performance). Now that we have that out of the way, here's the scoop on sex, ginseng and men.

GINSENG and KEY CHEMICAL

In males, of the important chemicals released during sex is nitric oxide. According to a study conducted at John's Hopkins, nitric oxide acts as a "chemical mediator" that affects erections. How is this related to ginseng? Well, it seems to be that Asian ginseng has a positive effect on nitric oxide. A team at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine did an experiment involving ginseng on laboratory animals to see if it changed their sexual behavior and the presence of nitric oxide. In their published report, they stated that ginsenoside components affected levels of nitric oxide that resulted in erectile improvement. That has positive implications for its use in humans.

BENEFITS OF GINSENG

Studies on ginseng and ED in humans have also yielded positive results. At the University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, in Seoul Korea, a high dose of ginseng was given to male subjects. The experiment supported the use of ginseng on men who have problems with impotence. They concluded that "Korean red ginseng can be an effective alternative for treating male ED." Their findings appeared in the official journal of the American Urological Association (article).

DANGEROUS EFFECTS

It should be noted, however, that most doctors feel that there is much research to be done in the field and that it's inconclusive. In fact, taking ginseng on your own can be quite dangerous. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it interacts negatively with a variety of conditions and medications. Proper doses also have to be used. After all, ginseng acts like a stimulant and can be harmful in high amounts. In addition to this, there are debates over whether or not long-term use can be harmful. Taking breaks from the treatment is also recommended (Healthline).

WISHING YOU...

If you are thinking of taking this as a supplement, you should definitely consult your doctor. Taken in the right amounts for a proper period of time,however, may yield good results. If you're given the green light and decide to "go ginseng", I wish you a future full of stamina, a life full of vitality and hope you are in love with a woman who is in her thirties.