Erectile issues and low libido in men: what causes to look for and what natural remedies help?

The essentials. The first step is not a plant but a medical exam: diabetes, blood pressure and circulation, excess weight, stress and fatigue, the prostate, current treatments or a genital abnormality must be ruled out before anything else. The Institute's teaching links these disorders to lifestyle, age or a functional disorder, and distinguishes impotence linked to diabetes from that linked to hypertension. The remedies cited are adaptogenic plants (ashwagandha, panax ginseng, maca, shilajit, cordyceps), hive products combined with black seed, and a lighter diet accompanied by walking and sleep. None of these remedies cures on its own: they are taken as a course, alongside the doctor following the patient.

Before any remedy, look for the cause

A drop in desire and difficulties with erection that settle in over several months deserve better than a plant ordered at random. The Institute's teaching groups these disorders together — erectile dysfunction, premature or delayed ejaculation, difficulty of a psychological nature — and traces their causes to three main families: lifestyle, age and a functional disorder. The body is signaling something: it is this signal that must be understood first.

Before undertaking any course of treatment, these leads deserve to be examined with a doctor.

• A genital abnormality. The Institute recalls that, faced with a lack of testosterone, the first step is a medical diagnosis, to verify that there is no genital abnormality.
• Diabetes. The teaching explicitly distinguishes impotence linked to diabetes. When blood sugar is the cause, it is this that must be balanced first, with the doctor following the treatment.
• Blood pressure and circulation. The same goes for impotence linked to hypertension, for which the teaching points to hive products, alongside medical follow-up.
• Excess weight. Being overweight can be at the root of this type of disorder. A healthy, balanced diet, aimed at losing the excess weight, is then part of the core treatment, not a side measure.
• Stress and depression. These are two factors in lowering testosterone levels, and a difficult period is sometimes enough to explain several months of disinterest.
• The prostate. This gland of the male reproductive system, located beneath the bladder, mainly signals itself through urinary discomfort: frequent urges at night, a weaker stream, a feeling of incomplete emptying. If these signs accompany the drop in form, they should be mentioned to the doctor, who will judge which exams are useful.
• Current treatments. Certain medications taken over the long term have an effect on desire or erection. This should be discussed with the prescribing doctor: a treatment is neither stopped nor changed on one's own.

Tonic and adaptogenic plants

Once the causes have been examined, the Institute's teaching proposes a family of plants known as adaptogens. They do not force anything: they help the body better withstand fatigue and stress, and it is often through this that drive returns.

Ashwagandha

This is the first plant cited for this disorder, both as an aphrodisiac and as an adaptogen. Its name refers to the strength of a horse. The Institute notes that it has been the subject of studies on testosterone production. In capsules, the usual course is three months, at a rate of two capsules a day, one in the morning and one at midday. As a dry extract, 25 to 50 mg per day.

Panax ginseng, maca and shilajit

Panax ginseng is an adaptogenic Asian root: it reduces fatigue, supports endurance, immunity and mental clarity, and stimulates libido and fertility. It is found as a powder, in capsules, as a liquid extract or in ampoules.

Maca, known as Peruvian ginseng, is an Andean root rich in essential amino acids, in glucosinolates that contribute to hormonal balance, in zinc, iron and B vitamins. The teaching presents it for energy, resistance to stress, fertility and libido. Same forms as the previous one.

Shilajit is a mineral resin from the Himalayan mountains, concentrated in minerals and fulvic acid. It is cited for energy, libido and fertility, hormonal balance, but also for mood and memory. It is taken as pure resin, in capsules or as a liquid extract.

Cordyceps, yohimbe and supplements

Cordyceps, a rare Himalayan mushroom, is recommended as a powder, mixed for example into yogurt or taken in coffee.

Yohimbe is the most active plant on the list: its bark acts on the vascular system and the dilation of blood vessels, and stimulates the nervous system. The teaching links it particularly to impotence linked to diabetes, at a rate of one capsule a day, at least one hour before activity. Given its action on the blood vessels and the nervous system, it should not be taken without medical advice.

Damiana, two capsules three times a day, supports libido and activates blood circulation. Arginine, an amino acid, is cited at a rate of one tablet twice a day for erection, libido and male fertility. A vitamin B complex rounds out the set, and ginger comes back in almost every preparation.

Hive products and black seed

This is the simplest part to put in place, and the oldest. The Institute gives a mixture of honey, black seed, royal jelly and bee pollen, of which one takes a large spoonful in the morning on an empty stomach and one before going to bed. For disorders linked to hypertension, the teaching cites the same hive products, propolis included.

A more complete preparation combines half a kilo of honey, 20 g of ashwagandha, 20 g of ginger, 20 g of black seed and 10 g of cinnamon. As a drink, one can also prepare an herbal tea with a teaspoon of ginger, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of ginseng and black seed in half a liter of water, as a long course.

The lifestyle habits that support everything else

None of these plants will hold up against a diet that maintains excess weight. The Institute recommends a healthy, balanced diet, aimed at losing the excess weight: cutting back on sweets and fast sugars, refined oils and fried foods, returning to simple cooking. Apple juice and cherry juice are cited among the drinks to favor.

Sleep matters just as much: sufficient, regular rest supports hormonal balance. Regular walking supports circulation and helps with weight loss. Finally, for the stress and mood component, herbal teas made from valerian, passionflower or linden are recommended, linden at a rate of two to three cups during the day.

In practice

• First make an appointment with the doctor and have diabetes, blood pressure, a hormonal disorder or a genital abnormality ruled out. Mention any medications taken over the long term.
• Choose a single core tonic and stick with it. Ashwagandha in capsules, two a day for three months, is the one most directly cited for this disorder.
• Take the mixture of honey, black seed, royal jelly and bee pollen, a large spoonful in the morning on an empty stomach and one before bed.
• Drink the ginger, cinnamon, ginseng and black seed herbal tea during the day, and a linden herbal tea in the evening if stress dominates.
• Lighten the plate, walk every day, go to bed earlier. These three habits weigh as much as the plants.
• Judge the result after the full course, not after a week, and discuss it again with the doctor if nothing changes.

Precautions

None of the above replaces a diagnosis or a treatment. Healing belongs to Allah, and these remedies are only means. The doctor remains the point of reference, especially if the disorders persist, worsen or are accompanied by pain, urinary discomfort or unusual fatigue.

• A current treatment is not stopped or changed on one's own, even if a plant seems to be working.
• Yohimbe acts on the blood vessels and the nervous system: it requires medical advice, especially in cases of hypertension, heart rhythm disorder or cardiovascular treatment.
• Adaptogenic plants can interfere with a treatment for diabetes or blood pressure. Someone undergoing treatment should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist before starting.
• Bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis are not recommended for those allergic to hive products.
• Do not combine five plants at the same time: a well-followed course is better than a pile-up.
• This advice is intended for adult men.

Frequently asked questions

After how long can one judge a course of treatment?

The tonics mentioned are taken as a long course: three months for ashwagandha, for example. It is therefore normal to feel nothing after a few days, and pointless to change plants every week. If nothing has changed by the end of the course, it is better to go back to the doctor rather than add another remedy.

Can several tonics be taken at the same time?

It is better to settle on just one as the base of the course, then add the hive mixture and the herbal tea. Multiplying capsules makes it impossible to know what is working, and increases the risk of interaction with a treatment. Someone being treated for diabetes or blood pressure should seek medical advice before starting.

Can stress alone explain several months of lower desire?

Yes, this is among the causes cited: depression and stress are two factors in lowering testosterone levels. In this case, the teaching suggests herbal teas made from valerian, passionflower or linden, and working on sleep. This does not rule out having the other causes checked by a doctor.

I am diabetic or have high blood pressure: what does this treatment change?

The teaching specifically distinguishes these two situations. When diabetes is the cause, balancing blood sugar comes first, with the doctor following the treatment; when it is hypertension, the teaching points to hive products, alongside medical follow-up. In both cases, the plants come after the treatment, never in its place.