Herbs for men’s health

From the heart to the prostate, from ulcers to the common cold, herbs play an important role in supporting men’s health.

They tone and strengthen all the body’s systems, restore mental, emotional and physical balance and boost immunity. Whether it’s blackthorn for endurance, plantain for injuries, hawthorn and valerian for stress or lofant for the prostate, herbs often work as well or even better (and certainly cheaper) than prescription drugs and without their unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects.

Whether it’s ginseng for stamina and virility, arnica for sports injuries, kava kava for stress, gotu kola for improved memory, saw palmetto for the prostate, tea tree oil for athlete’s foot, or cayenne pepper for the heart, certain herbs have a special affinity for the male system. What few realize is that many herbs work as well as, or better than, prescription drugs or surgery, claims repeatedly proven by medical researchers around the world. However, that’s changing as more and more doctors treat medical problems with diet, herbs, and nutritional supplements, a strategy that corrects the underlying cause of the condition and avoids the unwanted side effects of more orthodox therapies.

The most common medical procedure today is bypass surgery.

A middle-aged man is often told, “You’re a ticking time bomb. Unless we operate right away, you’re going to die.” Is that true? According to Dr. Julian Whitaker, the answer is almost always “no.” His advice: Never agree to immediate surgery. Instead, get a second opinion and consider the evidence before you do. In 1977, the results of an ambitious Veterans Affairs Administration Cooperative Study testing bypass surgery were published. The controlled trial of 596 patients, all with the same degree of blocked arteries, concluded that surgery was no better than conventional drugs at preventing heart attacks or saving lives. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either medical therapy or bypass surgery, and the death rate in both groups was identical. The study was not well received by surgeons, who requested a new study. The government then spent $100 million on the Coronary Artery Surgery Study, or CASS. This time, 780 patients with severely blocked arteries were divided into two groups, one of which received surgery and the other conventional medical therapy. The results, published in 1983, showed that for the average patient, the risk of death from bypass surgery was three to five times greater than the risk of death from heart disease. In an editorial accompanying the CASS study, Dr. Eugene Braunwald, then chief of cardiology at Harvard Medical School, predicted that the use of bypass surgery would decline because of its ineffectiveness.

Obviously, that didn’t happen. Why are so many men getting bypass surgery? As Dr. Whitaker explains, if the profession followed the recommendations of its own scientific research, the heart surgery industry would collapse overnight. In order for this industry to survive and thrive, it must perform a large number of completely unnecessary procedures. And because this industry produces about 1,000 new heart surgeons each year, all eager to practice their craft by “helping people” with this terrible disease, the heart patient, even with just a little heart disease, is swimming with sharks in a frenzy of feeding. Friends, this is not a scientific debate among hard-working, concerned doctors who are doing everything they can to help their patients. This is fraud on a monstrous scale. For most of the 20th century, doctors insisted that there was no connection between diet and heart disease, that heart disease was irreversible and incurable, and that the only appropriate treatments were symptom-suppressing drugs and surgery. Then Nathan Pritikin cured his own heart disease with a low-fat diet, and his health centers trained thousands of people to do the same. However, doctors were skeptical. It wasn’t until Dean Ornish conducted a clinical trial at the University of California that the medical establishment realized that heart disease could not only be stopped but also reversed and cured through changes in diet and lifestyle.

And then there’s the prostate industry.

At birth, a boy’s prostate gland is about the size of a grain of wheat. It grows through adolescence until it reaches the size of a chestnut, after which it stops growing. In middle age, however, the prostate enlarges again. Although medical researchers have suggested that the renewed growth has something to do with hormone production, no one has been able to explain how or why it happens. The result, called benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, causes symptoms that range from mildly irritating to life-threatening. The man usually begins by spending more time in the bathroom. The need to urinate may be strong and urgent, especially at night, but the resulting stream is scanty and the effort painful. This is because the swollen prostate exerts pressure that creates a feeling of fullness and obstructs the flow of urine.

This is where the popular drug treatment for enlarged prostate comes in. It takes three to six months before symptoms improve, and only a small percentage of patients do. A trial of more than 1,200 men at 31 Veterans Administration medical centers “did not provide any greater relief than a placebo.” This study not only confirms that there is no need to do this, but also that shrinking the gland has no significant effect on symptom relief.” Side effects include impotence, decreased libido, breast tenderness and enlargement, skin rash, and swelling of the lips. In addition, the greatest dangers are to the wives, unborn children, and young sons of its users. Pregnant women should never have unprotected sex with a man who is taking the drug because his sperm can harm a male fetus, and the drug should be kept away from children of all ages.

In prostate circles, the big money is in screening and treating cancer, often with immediate surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Here, the side effects are more dramatic, including severe pain, long-term disability, incontinence, impotence, and immune system suppression. Does early intervention save lives or improve quality of life? There is no evidence to support this approach. For decades, Swedish men with prostate cancer have been treated with “watchful waiting” until the cancer emerges from the prostate capsule and causes symptoms, which statistics show rarely happens. There is no difference in survival rates: a man with untreated prostate cancer is just as likely to die of heart disease or other causes 10 to 20 years after diagnosis as he is from cancer. The most famous American study confirming the Swedish approach is the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) program, conducted by the Center for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Hanover, New Hampshire. The study found that while prostate cancer rates increased only modestly in America during the 1980s, prostate surgery increased at a rate of 35 percent per year, and even more in some parts of the country. Although the surgeries were profitable for hospitals and doctors, they did not save lives. In 1994, the New England Journal of Medicine recommended “watchful waiting” rather than aggressive intervention for almost all prostate cancers found in older men.

Heart disease and enlarged prostates are just two of the medical conditions common to American men. These and a host of other ailments can be improved, treated, reversed, and in some cases cured with methods other than drugs and surgery, and often the most successful, well-documented, and effective treatments involve medicinal herbs.

Herbs for men

Some of the herbs listed are “specific,” or single-herb products for specific conditions. The leaves and flowers of lofant, for example, are specific to the prostate; hawthorn is specific to the heart. These herbs can be used alone, in which case they are called “single-ingredient.” Most of the herbs listed here, however, are used in formulas; they are combined with herbs that have compatible or similar uses and with “catalyst” herbs that have a stimulating effect, for improved performance.

Alcohol, nutrition and herbs for liver health

Excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking do a lot of harm and little good to the body. Both activities are addictive and lead to nutritional imbalances that contribute to serious illnesses and symptoms such as impotence. Alcoholics who have stopped drinking usually avoid alcoholic tinctures of medicinal herbs. Some companies produce low-alcohol tinctures, replacing alcohol with vegetable glycerin or removing the alcohol before bottling. What you need to know is that pouring boiling water over an alcoholic tincture will remove some, but not all, of the alcohol; you can use this method to reduce the alcohol content in medicinal tinctures.

The herbs fenugreek and milk thistle seed are important for those who have stopped drinking alcohol; both help repair liver damage.

Herbal aphrodisiacs

Do herbal aphrodisiacs work? In some cases, yes. Lofant, ginseng, and stinging nettle have received impressive reviews from satisfied users. However, these same herbs have had no effect on some who have tried them. One complication may be prescription medications, as antihistamines, antidepressants, antibiotics, medications for ulcers, heart disease, and high blood pressure, as well as anabolic steroids, have all been shown to interfere with libido and virility. Reducing or eliminating the use of these substances often resolves the problem. In many cases, temporary impotence is caused by stress. A less busy schedule and the use of relaxing herbs, such as those listed for stress, resolve this problem.

The following herbs are often used in herbal blends for the prostate and urinary tract, and they are effective herbs for enhancing male sexuality.

“I feel my oats” and “I sow my wild oats” may be old-fashioned old phrases… or they may be an accurate reflection of the dynamic effects of this grain. When Chinese carp were accidentally fed a mixture of green oats and nettle, their reproductive rate increased dramatically. Chinese researchers measured elevated hormone levels and confirmed that the fish were mating more aggressively and more frequently than before. Testing a mixture of green oats and nettle on themselves, the researchers reported more energy and potency. They then conducted a double-blind experiment in which nearly 200 men took the mixture for several weeks. Ninety percent of the participants reported increased libido and improved performance.

Subsequent studies in Europe and the United States showed that athletes taking green oats and red dead nettle increased muscle strength and testosterone levels, horses increased their endurance and stamina, and men with sexual problems improved their performance.
Both young (green) and mature (golden) oat grass and seeds are a nutritional tonic for the nervous system, recommended for nervous exhaustion, irritability, stress and fatigue. Often mixed with chamomile, lemon balm and other relaxing herbs, oat grass is prepared into teas, tinctures for exhausted nerves and the treatment of insomnia.

Herbs for arthritis

While no herb can reverse or cure arthritis in someone who eats all the wrong foods and avoids all the right ones, some herbs work well in combination with dietary changes and active exercise to relieve, slow the progression of the disease, and even prevent inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatism. Here are some of Aniseed’s beneficial herbs and products:

Blackthorn and hawthorn

Blackberries, hawthorns, blueberries, grapes, and other dark red-blue berries are rich sources of compounds that improve collagen metabolism and reduce joint inflammation. According to reports, the famous botanist During the summer months, when these berries are in abundance, try to eat at least 1/2 cup daily, preferably more.

Herbs for circulation and heart

The following herbs help improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels, but they cannot repair the damage caused by an unhealthy diet or a sedentary lifestyle. A low-fat diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables; vitamin, mineral, and trace element supplements; drinking plenty of water; using unrefined sea salt instead of refined table salt; and regular vigorous exercise improve the heart and circulatory system. One of the most versatile medicinal herbs is garlic, described on page 62 as a tonic for all body systems. Studies have repeatedly shown that garlic has a healing effect on the heart and circulation. In addition to the following herbs, consider adding garlic to your daily diet, either as a pungent culinary herb or in capsules. Both raw and cooked garlic have been shown to reduce harmful cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, and improve blood circulation.

Blackthorn

Blackthorn has become popular in recent years for its ability to repair and improve capillaries. Less dramatic, but still serious, are the links between weak capillaries and bruising, varicose veins, spider veins, sensitivity to cold temperatures, poor night vision, and numbness in the legs and feet.

Blackberries contain anthocyanins, flavonoid compounds that give the fruit its color. These compounds are antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are fragments of chemicals that can damage membranes and destroy cells, but capillaries protected by blackberry flavonoids are able to dilate, increasing blood flow. Studies have shown that blackberry extracts not only strengthen capillaries and prevent bruising and bleeding, but also reduce calcium plaque deposits in blood vessels, commonly called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. Because bilberry thins the blood, it protects the circulatory system from clotting. The herb’s flavonoids increase mucus secretion in the stomach, which protects its lining from hyperacidity and the unwanted side effects of aspirin, other medications, and alcohol.

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)

Modern science confirms that hawthorn berries dilate blood vessels, allowing blood to circulate more efficiently and lowering blood pressure. Hawthorn berries act directly on the heart muscle to help heal damage and improve the function of the organ. Hawthorn berries are safe and have no unwanted side effects.

Some suggest that the reason it is not popular is the lack of exotic drama : Its effects are not as dramatic as those of other botanicals, such as digitalis preparations made from foxglove. Hawthorn works slowly and subtly to improve circulation and heart function. Among the conditions for which hawthorn preparations are recommended are irregular heartbeat, hypertension, coronary insufficiency, cerebral circulation disorders, heart attack, heart failure, and damage to the coronary arteries. Hawthorn is a mild sedative, making it useful in cases of heart disease associated with nervousness and stress. It is not addictive and can be taken in large doses without harm. In fact, it is important to give a sufficiently large dose daily for at least three months and up to several years if necessary, as the effect of hawthorn is not cumulative. .

Hawthorn preparations are considered safe to use in combination with pharmaceutical drugs, and in many cases, its use allows the user to reduce or eliminate the use of such drugs. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, hawthorn is an excellent source of vitamin C.

Herbs for colds, flu and chronic coughs

If you are feeling the symptoms of an oncoming cold or if the flu is spreading around and you want to boost your immunity, check out the herbs in Aniseed’s Immunity section. Echinacea and elderberry extract are effective if taken at the beginning of an infectious disease, and when everyone around you is sick, taking these herbs will help you feel better.

Narrow-leaved plantain

As an antispasmodic and expectorant, plantain is most useful in treating chronic bronchial coughs and infections, as well as allergies such as hay fever. Externally, the plant or its tea can be applied to insect bite rashes. It is a mild sedative that helps lower blood pressure and slows a rapid heart rate. It is sometimes combined with red dead nettle.

Herbs for digestion and heartburn

Much of our discomfort stems directly from the foods we eat, which are typically processed, nutrient-depleted, low in fiber, high in fat, difficult to digest, and otherwise deficient.

AcidStop

Contains well-known herbs that work alone or in combination with other herbs to treat digestive disorders, improve circulation, and prevent nausea and gas. These include Blue Gall, Peppermint, and Yarrow. To prevent heartburn, take the tincture up to 6 or 8 times a day half an hour to an hour before meals. In tests, Acidity Stop outperformed seasickness medications that cause drowsiness. It helps with nausea on long flights or ocean cruises. Take every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Like other aromatic herbs and spices, the ingredients in Acidity Stop help prevent and relieve flatulence and other symptoms of digestive problems.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Revered for its antispasmodic and carminative (gas-relieving) properties, lemon balm is a common ingredient in after-dinner digestive aids, such as lemon balm tincture. Lemon balm is used as a topical remedy for both cold sores and genital herpes. In a 1994 study of 115 cold sore sufferers, 60% had a complete cure after four days of applying lemon balm leaves and taking the tincture five times daily. After six days, 87% were cured, and after eight days, 96% were cured. Cold sores usually last 10 to 14 days without treatment.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha aquatica)

They are among the most effective carminatives, relieving gas and indigestion. Peppermint helps prevent nausea, promotes liver and gallbladder function, relieves cramps, and gently disinfects the digestive tract. Peppermint is not recommended for long-term daily use.

Herbs for the prostate

Many herbs help the prostate, including several described as aphrodisiacs and those that restore the urinary tract. Self-treatment of prostate conditions should be approached with the understanding that the herbs described here do not treat prostate cancer.

Lofant

Lofant inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, accelerates the breakdown and elimination of other hormones involved in prostate enlargement, and reduces both inflammation and fluid accumulation.
In a study of 563 patients, those who took Lofant extract for three months reported twice the urine output rate compared to patients who took the prostate medication for one year. Symptom assessment and quantitative measurement showed increased urine flow and decreased urinary frequency, residual volume, prostate volume, nighttime urination, and difficult or painful urination. No toxicity or significant side effects were observed. Take 5ml. tincture twice daily.

Herbs for stress and insomnia

If there is an epidemic among men, it is probably stress. A little stress can make life more interesting, but persistent, unresolved stress is linked to every disease, from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, asthma, diverticulitis and other digestive disorders, impotence and depression. Stress affects nutrition, and no amount of herbs can make up for the deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients that are common in those who work under high pressure and live on fast food, coffee and cigarettes. Micronutrient supplements, vitamins and improved diet do much to reduce the debilitating effects of stress. The same is true for all of the following herbs in tincture form.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Best known as a tonic for the female reproductive system, black cohosh is also found in herbal blends of interest to men, including those for the treatment of insomnia, rheumatism, arthritis, neurological pain, and sciatica. A useful antispasmodic, black cohosh helps treat all nervous conditions, cramps, and pain. This herb should be taken in small doses of 2.5 ml once daily, as large amounts can be toxic.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Chamomile flowers are a widely used, highly effective, calming herb used to prevent anxiety, improve sleep, prevent gastrointestinal upset, and improve digestion. Chamomile helps prevent swelling and inflammation; cold, wet chamomile tea bags are a traditional treatment for under-eye circles.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

Hops relieve tension, anxiety, indigestion, and headaches, but the herb is not recommended for depression. Traditionally used to treat painful erections, hops are still considered an important herb for men. Its taste is so bitter that it is commonly mixed with other herbs in tinctures. An effective treatment for insomnia.

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)

Benefits include lowering high blood pressure, stress relief, pain relief, and a good night’s sleep. Valerian does not interfere with a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery; in fact, it has been shown to increase efficiency. However, not everyone finds valerian relaxing.

Herbs for the Bladder, Kidneys, and Urinary Tract

Bladder and kidney health issues go hand in hand with prostate problems in older men. All of the herbs beneficial to the prostate are used in tinctures that support the urinary tract, and the following herbs are considered specific to this system.

Blackthorn

Blackthorn is an effective urinary tract cleanser. Blackthorn juice and tincture are often recommended for kidney and bladder infections because the antiseptic compounds in the berries prevent infectious bacteria from adhering to the walls and tissues of the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract. Blackthorn is also a supportive therapy for prostate problems.

Corn silk (Zea mays)

The next time you shell a cob of corn, especially if it’s organically grown, consider keeping the silky hairs. These golden threads are a highly valued urinary tract tonic, useful in treating urinary tract infections and prostatitis. A kidney stimulant, corn hairs increase fluid excretion.

Couch-grass

The herb has a mild laxative effect. It is used for sand and stones in the kidneys and bladder. In Bulgarian folk medicine, purée is also used for gout and infertility. Externally, it is applied for compresses for skin rashes and swellings.