Recent studies on aphrodisiac herbs for the management of male sexual dysfunction--a review

Acta Pol Pharm. 2011 Jan-Feb;68(1):3-8.

Abstract

An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e., sexual desire, arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e., effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Some well-known aphrodisiacs are Tribulus terrestrins, Withania somnifera, Eurycoma longifolia, Avena sativa, Ginko biloba, and Psoralea coryifolia. Ethnobotanical surveys have indicated a large number of plants as aphrodisiacs. The paper reviews the recent scientific validation on traditionally used herbal plants as aphrodisiac herbs for the management of sexual disorder erectile dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aphrodisiacs / therapeutic use*
  • Arousal / drug effects
  • Erectile Dysfunction / drug therapy
  • Erectile Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penile Erection / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Sexual Behavior / drug effects*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / drug therapy*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / physiopathology

Substances

  • Aphrodisiacs
  • Plant Preparations