GHS Natural Health Blog

For hundreds of years the exotic herb Damiana (Turnera diffusa) has been used as an aphrodisiac. These days, Damiana’s reported effects on male libido are thought to be due to its excellent ability to calm nervousness, anxiety and excitement.

What causes flagging libido?

Many factors affect libido, including your state of mind and diet. Low sexual desire can be a result of psychological problems or physical conditions. In order to find an effective solution, it is important to identify what has triggered it.

Possible causes include:

• Age. As you get older, many changes in the body occur that can affect sexual desire.
• Anxiety and stress. If you suffer from either of these conditions, it may cause temporary or more long-term decrease in sex drive, depending on the amount of stress or anxiety being experienced. This often leads to increased alcohol and tobacco consumption, both will also have a negative effect on libido.
• Medications. Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, tranquillizers and appetite suppressants, may affect your sexual desire
• Health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine or neurological disorders and chronic pain, can also affect libido.
• Insomnia or inadequate amounts of sleep cause fatigue and reduced sexual desire.
  

It is important to understand the underlying cause of low libido. Sometimes there is a direct emotional cause which needs treatment and damiana is excellent in this regard. Sometimes the physical cause is simply exhaustion or adrenal tiredness and in these instances herbs such as ginseng can assist. Of course whatever the cause maintaining a healthy diet is vital plenty of nuts, seeds, brown grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Traditional use

Damiana is a small shrub that produces yellow flowers and grows throughout South America. It has been used for centuries by traditional native healers as a sexual enhancer and antidepressant. The Mexican Indians used it to support the nervous system and promote healthy sexual function. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia cites indications for the use of damiana for ‘anxiety neurosis with a predominant sexual factor, depression, nervous dyspepsia, atonic constipation, and coital inadequacy.’ Damiana has also been known to help balance hormones in females, rejuvenating sexual weakness. Modern Mexicans drink an alcoholic beverage made of Damiana, popularly known as ‘the liquor for lovers’. It is also frequently prescribed by herbalists as a nerve tonic.

How does it work?

It’s hardly surprising that the plant is linked to such a wide range of therapeutic actions considering the numerous active ingredients it contains, these include fl avonoids, resins and tannin, which help stimulate many of your body’s biological processes. Damiana works to improve sexual dysfunction in men in a similar way to Viagra. It relaxes the small muscles within the artery walls of the arteries of the penis and allows more blood to pass through the arteries, which is what causes an erection. A study by Argentinian scientists, reported in the journal of Phytomedicine in November 2003, found that Damiana relaxed the arteries of the penis by 90 per cent on average, whereas Viagra caused only a moderate degree of relaxation – barely reaching 46 per cent. Laboratory studies suggest Damiana may interfere with blood sugar levels, so if you have a blood sugar condition, seek the advice of your healthcare professional before taking the herb.

A Nobel Prize winning factor

While many products claim to boost libido by increasing testosterone levels, this is not generally the problem with poor libido. Scientists earned a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1998 when they discovered the relationship between nitric oxide and blood vessels, low nitric oxide being the more likely cause of low libido. Nitric oxide is produced in response to messages from the brain, they trigger the release of nitric acid, which causes the smooth muscles of the spongy tissues inside the penis to relax and fill with blood, making an erection possible. Many men who are experiencing erectile dysfunction do not need to take prescription drugs; they simply need to increase their production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is produced in various areas of the body, with one important area being in the walls of the arteries. Build up of plaque in the arteries can slow down the production of nitric oxide and also contribute to blocking the flow of blood to the sexual organs.

Other herbs for boosting sex drive

Sex can be a diminishing aspect in people’s lives, due to demanding lifestyles, stress and age. Herbal solutions may not address all the problems, however they can start the process and, at the very least, may help boost your energy levels. Two of the best herbs for increasing nitric oxide levels are Korean ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. They also act as overall body tonics and combat fatigue and stress, two of the most well known passion killers.

• Korean ginseng: This has been used in China as a sexual tonic for over 7000 years and is the world’s most popular herbal supplement. Ginseng is taken for its ability to boost energy and sex drive. It does this by combating fatigue and physical and emotional stress. It also acts as a general blood tonic to improve blood flow. In double-blind clinical trials, 60 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction experienced improvements after taking a ginseng extract for just eight to twelve weeks. Scientists have identified active constituents, especially ginsenosides, which may be responsible for some of ginseng’s antioxidant and health preserving properties. Ginsenosides have been shown in laboratory studies to increase the release of nitric oxide in erectile tissue.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is used to improve blood flow around the body, including blood flow to the penis. In Chinese medicine it is frequently prescribed for low sex drive and has now become popular worldwide. It has many other benefits, but in terms of improving libido, its main function is the help it gives to blood flow.

Case Study

Megan, aged 27, visited her natural health practitioner because she was concerned about the irregularity of her periods over the past year and an unexplained 10kg weight gain. Megan ate well, exercised two to three times a week for 30 minutes, had always had a regular menstrual cycle and considered herself a ‘healthy person’. Megan had put her latest health issues down to stress. However she now wanted to start a family and after four months of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, it was time to seek help. Megan was diagnosed with a luteal phase defect and prescribed False Unicorn root, the aim being to first regulate Megan’s cycle. After four months of taking 2700 mg False Unicorn daily, her cycle was regulated. Five months after that Megan conceived and subsequently gave birth to a healthy son.

Recommended for women with a history of miscarriage it is generally recommended to take False Unicorn for the first half of your cycle prior to ovulation and then Chaste Tree after ovulation until menstruation occurs.

Visit Global Herbal Supplies for a full range of herbs

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Long used as an ingredient in delicious Indian curries, turmeric (Curcuma longa) holds promise for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and for protection against cancer.

Traditional use

Turmeric has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine and is considered a cleansing herb for the whole body. It was traditionally used as a digestive aid and for the treatment of fever, infections, arthritis, jaundice and other liver problems. It is also a spice, food preservative and colouring agent, giving curries their vibrant yellow colour. Turmeric helps to prevent food spoilage because it has an antibacterial action, and scientists believe this quality means turmeric may also offer the body protection from degenerative disease.

The Ayurvedic system has been used forcenturies in India and has its origins in Hinduism. Essentially, the aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to keep the healthy person healthy and to make the sick well. Ayurveda meaning the ‘science of life’ is a holistic system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a personalised, balanced approach that focuses equally on the wellness of the body, mind and spirit.

Health-giving properties

Turmeric is a rich source of beneficial phenolic compounds known as curcuminoids. The most commonly found phenolic compound, flavonoids, are found in other foods known for their anti-oxidant properties such as blueberries, red wine and garlic. Turmeric’s beneficial health effects include:

Anti-oxidant

• There is plenty of research to support curcuminoids having potent anti-oxidant properties. Curcuminoids have the ability to not only scavenge and neutralise harmful free radicals, but also to prevent their formation in the first place, which is why they are described as having ‘bioprotective’ properties or put more simply, are able to prevent future illness.

Anti-inflammatory

• Clinical trials have identified a number of different molecules involved in inflammation that are inhibited by turmeric, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. The overall anti-inflammatory action of curcuminoids is also related to their well-known anti-oxidant properties. In a clinical trial involving rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, turmeric produced a significant improvement in all patients, and its therapeutic effects were comparable to those obtained with the commonly prescribed drug cortisone.  US researchers found that using an extract containing the major curcuminoids had the most effect, completely inhibiting the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. This research also suggests that turmeric may be of benefit in other inflammatory disorders, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. The trial also showed that curcuminoid extract blocked the pathways affecting bone re-absorption, suggesting turmeric taken as a dietary supplement during perimenopause may prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.

Antiviral and antifungal properties

• A recent trial published in The Journal of Young Investigators, the anti-oxidant and antimicrobial capacities of turmeric extract were investigated to see if turmeric could be a potential alternative to common antibiotics. The trial established that turmeric extracts are effective antimicrobial agents against some multiple drug-resistant bacteria.

Immune stimulating

• Researchers are examining turmeric as a possible immune system stimulator that can modulate the activation of various immune cells. Researchers have suggested that perhaps turmeric’s reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system.

 Cardioprotective

• A small study has shown the effect of turmeric supplementation on serum lipid peroxides, with supplementation leading to a significant reduction of serum lipid peroxide formation and a decrease in total cholesterol levels. Turmeric may therefore have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Other preliminary research shows that turmeric extract lowers blood fats. One study at the Amala Cancer Research Centre in India found that a dose of 500 mg daily of turmeric extract for seven days resulted in a significant 11.6 per cent decrease in total blood cholesterol and a 29 per cent increase in HDL, the ‘good fats’.

Chemoprotective

• A small clinical trial has found that turmeric may reduce the size and number of precancerous growths in the intestinal tract, therefore reducing the risk of colon cancer. The low incidence of large bowel cancer in Indians first observed in the early 1990s may be partly due to the presence of turmeric in Indian cooking. Turmeric’s anti-oxidant properties contribute to its chemoprotective effect, stimulating a detoxifying cancer protecting enzyme.

Fighting Alzheimer’s disease

• The incidence of Alzheimer’s type dementia in India is low, and researchers from the University of California investigated the influence Indian cuisine might have on this. In lab tests the researchers found that the most active ingredient in the turmeric root, appears to help human immune cells remove the destructive substance that causes the build up of plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Choosing turmeric supplements

A particular blend of curcuminoids, known as the C3 complex, has been shown to be more effective as an anti-oxidant than each of the individual components used alone, and this is now available in the form of a capsule – Turmeric capsules. Don’t think that merely adding large amounts of colourful turmeric powder to your meals will do the trick! Doses of food-grade Turmeric powder found in your local supermarket will not deliver the standardised amount of curcuminoids required to achieve a therapeutic benefit. Typically food-grade powders also contain unidentified and unquantified constituents that have not passed the stringent analysis of all therapeutic products sold in Australia!

How much do you need?

Toxicity studies on turmeric have found it to be a safe phytonutrient to consume. Clinical trials have used exceptionally high doses of turmeric, but the generally accepted suitable dose to gain a therapeutic effect is around 1500 mg (powdered rhizome) daily. If taking prescription medicines, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before taking turmeric supplements.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

CoQ10 boosts heart health

An Italian trial published in a recent issue of the European Heart Journal claims that for people with coronary heart disease (CAD), supplementation with 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) daily may boost naturally occurring anti-oxidant enzymes. CAD patients appear to have reduced levels of a major anti-oxidant enzyme system in blood vessel walls, and supplementation with CoQ10 increased these levels.

Olive leaf extract helps arthritis sufferers

A US trial has shown that supplementation with olive leaf extract for an eight week period decreased pain and inflammation, and improved daily activities for people suffering from osteoarthritis. This trial also showed that olive leaf extract is good for your heart. In arthritis sufferers olive leaf extract decreased homocysteine levels, indicating improved cardiovascular health.

Green tea may halve your risk of colon cancer

Regular consumption of green tea has a beneficial association with colorectal cancer risk. The results of a six-year Chinese study involving 70,000 women aged between 40 and 70 showed that regular consumption of green tea, which is rich in polyphenol anti-oxidants, was associated with a 37 per cent reduction in colorectal cancer risk. The best benefits were seen in those women who consumed the most tea for the greatest number of years. So the more you drink the better, although green tea does contain caffeine.

Cranberries fight ulcer causing bacteria

Drinking cranberry juice may enhance the power of antibiotics to clear the stomach of a bacteria known to cause ulcers and cancer, according to a study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Patients with the helicobacter pylori infection were given cranberry juice (250 ml twice daily) after a week-long antibiotic course. The juice was found to enhance the eradication of the bacteria by about 10 per cent. Interestingly, the beneficial effect was observed in women only and not men.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Your Health questions answered: Alison Rafter, natural health practitioner specialises in medical herbalism, iridology and massage therapy.

Q: I dread the constant social gatherings at this time of year and the inevitable hangovers that follow – is there anything I can do to prepare my body for this time! Declan M. QLD

A: The best advice I can give is to drink less on these occasions! Or at least drink a glass of water between drinks. There are also some herbs and vitamins that will prove useful to you. St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herb that supports the liver when it is under pressure from toxins such as alcohol or drugs. Your B group vitamins are of great benefit during times of stress and overindulgence and will help with your energy levels. So I would suggest start taking both these now to prepare your liver for the festive season.

Q: I have a hiatus hernia, and also reflux, I am a little self conscious of my embarrassing symptoms when I eat and drink. Ian R. TAS

A: Often, people with a hiatus hernia also have heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux. In order to reduce the reflux make sure your posture is upright for several hours after eating, consume small meal sizes, raise the head of your bed at least six inches (this allows gravity to keep the contents of your stomach where they should be!) and watch the foods you eat as certain foods can cause reflux. A traditional herb for soothing the digestive system is Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), its mucilage content forms a smooth coating over inflamed or irritated membranes of the digestive tract. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a great normaliser of stomach acids and can be used for disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract associated with flatulence, indigestion and gastric reflux. In addition to those herbs you can help relieve heart-burn and indigestion by chewing papaya and mint tablets, or even drinking a cup or two of soothing peppermint tea daily.

Q: I am currently five months pregnant with my second child, I am exhausted most of the time and would love to get more energy. With my first child I experienced some difficulty while breastfeeding with my milk production, is there anything natural I can take that will help me? Helena J. WA

 A: Firstly increasing your energy levels during pregnancy can be done gently by taking spirulina capsules. Spirulina is a blue-green algae which contains good levels of highly digestible protein, all the amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients. In terms of promoting breast milk there are two key herbs - Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum). Blessed Thistle’s therapeutic properties date back to the 1500’s. It has an excellent ability to promote nourishing breast milk in nursing mothers and it is not harmful to the baby. Fenugreek has been found to have many uses including increasing breast milk in nursing mothers. The odour of fenugreek can be detected in the breast milk but only if you exceed the recommended dosage.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia

Your Health questions answered: Alison Rafter, natural health practitioner specialises in medical herbalism, iridology and massage therapy.

Q: I have exams coming up and I am looking for something natural that will help improve my memory and my ability to cope with extended periods of study so I don’t runout of steam. Rebecca D. SA

A: The herb gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is an excellent brain and memory tonic. It is one of the most important rejuvenating herbs in Indian herbal medicine (Ayurveda) and, despite its name, contains no caffeine or cola. It is particularly valued for revitalising nerve and brain cells, promoting calmness and clarity, improving poor memory and lack of concentration and increasing meditation ability. It is also valued as a brain food, improving intelligence and reflexes by increasing blood supply to the brain. You can use this herb to enhance mental alertness, clarity and energy levels, without getting any of the ‘jitteriness’ some people experience with coffee. 

Q: I am a mum of three kids and work three days a week and study part time. My husband is often away on business and I am at the end of my tether. What do you recommend? Megan S. NSW 

A: It sounds like you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, commonly referred to as ‘burn out’. This condition is characterised by feeling tired, rundown, overwhelmed or anxious for no reason. You may also have trouble getting up in the morning and feel like you are constantly fighting another infection. Indian herbal medicine provides possibly the best fix, with the herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Its active constituents not only directly rejuvenate the adrenal glands, but also put a stop to the vicious cycle that is symptomatic of adrenal fatigue. Studies have shown that ashwagandha increases stamina, eliminates anxiety and mental fatigue, and improves immunity, mood and sex drive

Q:  I suffer from vaginal thrush and every time I think it’s gone, it comes back again. I am sick of taking medications and creams. What can I do to rid this extremely irritating and frustrating condition from my body? Sonja H. VIC

A: Thrush (candidiasis) is one of 70 different species of the Candida (Candida albicans) yeast. This yeast usually lives harmlessly in small amounts in the bowel, mouth and vagina. However, when there is an overgrowth (sometimes after antibiotic or oral contraceptive use, or with some immune related disorders), symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning or thick white discharge may appear. The area may also become red or swollen. Also be aware that repeated episodes can simply be caused by re-infection by your partner who has not been treated.

Pau D’arco (Tabebuia heptaphylla) is a South American herb with antifungal activity. Traditionally used to treat a wide range of conditions, it recently has been found to be effective against Candida yeast infections when combined with an appropriate diet. It is available both as a tea and in capsules.

Pau D’arco can be combined with golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis). This soothing herb has anti-inflammatory properties. Its antimicrobial action also gives the herb its rightly earned reputation for being a natural antibiotic. Golden seal’s medicinal value and high demand has made it rare and this, compounded by the fact that the root takes three to five years to mature, is reflected in its high price.

To treat thrush, you also need to look at what you are eating. Steer clear of yeast, sugar and processed foods. Fresh is always best. You may also want to take a probiotic, such as acidophilus or bifidus, but take these at least 2 hours apart from Pau D’arco.

 Also, avoid using soaps or perfumed sprays in the genital area. Cotton underwear and loose clothing will also help.

Article thanks to Herbs and Health Magazine Australia