Five natural alternatives to Viagra

Five natural alternatives to Viagra

by Darren Main

Q: I am a 39-year-old man, still good-looking, but no longer nubile. I have made love with plenty and am told that I am a good lover. I love to give my partners pleasure. But as I get older, I have a harder time getting hard. I don't want to take pills -- I'd rather find some natural approaches. Any ideas? Thanks, From the Hip

A: There are many causes for impotence. Antidepressants and other medications can have an effect on one's sex drive. You may want to speak with your physician about any medications you are currently taking, as there may be other alternatives. It is also not uncommon for men to lose their potency as they get older. Many cultures saw this as a sign that one's life force was being depleted. They believed a man had a certain amount of "seed" and that it should be used sparingly in order to preserve longevity.

Of course, we now know that a healthy man will continue to produce until the day he dies. Unfortunately, the plow with which we prepare the field seems to wear out before we run out of seeds to sow. Thus, the Viagra generation. The problem with Viagra is that it takes a lot of planning, comes with mild to severe side effects and can be very dangerous when used with other substances (namely, poppers).

Because of the emphasis to keep a man "able," some other cultures have come up with some wonderful methods for increasing potency in a more holistic way. Here are a few things you can try:

1. Ginseng: There are many different types of ginseng, and different ways of taking it, so it would be a good idea to consult an herbalist before taking this herb in large quantities. Getting a box of ginseng tea might be a good first step though. You can find quality ginseng tea in most health food stores.

2. Yoga: I had a gentleman in my yoga class not too long ago -- it was his first time. A few days after the class, he came up to me on the street, introduced me to his partner and they both thanked me for helping them to kick their sex life into high gear. They told me that they hadn't had that much sex since the week they started dating. As a yoga teacher, I see a lot of profound results for everything from back pain to reduced stress, but the biggest comment I hear from men in their 40s and 50s is how they feel like they are 20 again. Many claim that they can go from having sex with their partner once a week to once a day. The yoga poses and breathing can really get energy moving again, and one of the first places many people notice it is in their sex drive.

3. Perineum flexors: A lot of men spend hours at the gym trying to beef up their bodies so they can be sexy, but fail to exercise the most important muscle of all. The perineum is the point between the scrotum and the anus. According to the vedic scriptures of India, this is where the kundalini energy enters the body. Kundalini energy is what "puts the air in our tires," so to speak. The more open we can make this area, the more energy gets pulled in and thus the more intensely we get aroused. To exercise this area, lie on your back with the soles of the feet touching; let the bent knees drop toward the floor. Now begin to squeeze and release the perineum about 50 times. If you are having trouble isolating this muscle, imagine pulling the testicles back toward your anus. Each contraction should take about one second as should each release. Although you should feel immediate results, you should do this daily to really keep the pilot light on.

4. Supplements: Deficiencies in zinc and vitamin B-6 have been associated with some cases of impotence. Try taking a multivitamin to make sure you have all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your bits and pieces in working order. It is a bad idea to overdo it with supplements, although most will not hurt you if you take too many. Your body will simply disregard them. Some supplements can be toxic in high doses, however, so read labels and store supplements properly make sure you're doing more good than harm.

5. Moderation: This is the least popular suggestion I will make. That's why it comes last. When turned 20, I thought I'd found heaven. There was so much sex to be had. It became like smoking, i.e., the perfect thing to do when I was bored, or sad, or happy, or lonely, or whatever. I found myself becoming the sexual equivalent of a chain smoker. The problem was that my batteries always felt a bit drained. I have found that when I slow down my sexual behavior a bit and do it only when my loins really scream for it, I have a more rich and full experience. This is consistent with the eastern practice of Bramacharia or "moderation of life force." By moderating our sexual activity (not to be confused with denial), we can cultivate a more satisfying expression of that energy and frequently overcome the impotence.

Note: Impotence can be a symptom of other problems in the body, such as diabetes. It is important to discuss this and all health issues with your doctor. Also, please be sure to speak with your doctor if you are on any medications. Sometimes herbs and supplements can have an adverse reaction to one another.