Erectile dysfunction is a bane to any man, one that you hope you’ll never get. And if you ever do, you pray that it will go away soon. Fortunately, developments in the medical field have led to newer and better ways to treat erectile dysfunction. However, this doesn’t mean that the traditional ways of curing impotence are no longer valid.

In fact, many recent studies on possible treatments for erectile dysfunction are focused on validating traditional treatments for the condition. And by traditional treatment, we are referring to herbal medicines the ancients used to treat impotence. Here are 5 of them that’s already been validated by science.

#1 Panax ginseng

When we’re talking about herbal medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, Panax ginseng would surely belong to the top five. Not only does Panax ginseng have thousands of years of traditional medicine usage to back it, there’s also a lot of scientific studies validating its effectiveness in treating impotence.

Panax ginseng is known to improve blood flow, and we all know that penile blood flow is one of the most important factors in erectile function. Thus, by improving overall circulation and blood flow, Panax ginseng helps lessen erectile dysfunction.

Based on clinical studies, Panax ginseng has been shown to improve penile rigidity during erection. Girth and erection duration were also found to have increased after treatment with Panax ginseng.

Moreover, this amazing medicinal plant also improves stamina, libido, and overall sexual satisfaction. No wonder it’s the top choice in Chinese and Korean medicine for treating impotence.

Ginseng actually has diverse therapeutic effects. Other scientific studies on the medicinal properties of ginseng found that it can help treat cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Ginseng has also gained popularity as an ingredient in athletic performance boosters because of its restorative, stamina-building, and anti-fatigue effects. It can also help improve cholesterol levels, reduce stress, and treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.

#2 Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

If you’re searching for natural means to improve your overall health and not just treat your erectile dysfunction, you shouldn’t overlook maca. The benefits of maca targets not just your pelvic region, but also your brain. Maca is great for alleviating stress which is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. And when you’re relaxed, you can focus more on enjoying sex.

In various animal studies, maca was shown to be effective in improving various parameters of sexual performance. Maca is also associated with improved sperm count and sperm motility.

In human studies, maca has also been shown to help improve erectile function. In one study, for instance, treatment with maca led to improved erection scores after twelve weeks. Maca supplementation also helped improve the patients’ perception of sexual well-being as well as general well-being.

Maca’s stamina-boosting and energy increasing properties are two more reasons why men suffering from performance issues should take maca. This means that maca can help improve your staying power, either in the bedroom, in the gym, or during an athletic event. And this is also why you’ll often find maca as an ingredient in many sports nutrition products.

Maca can also help improve cognitive functions such as memory and learning. In fact, a recent study has shown that due to maca’s antioxidant content, it can help improve brain health.

Extracts made from maca leaves were used in the study to treat brain cells that were exposed to toxic compounds. The results of the study showed that maca leaf extract had an antioxidant effect which helped protect the brain cells from oxidative stress.

#3 Butea Superba

If the Peruvians have maca, the Thais have Butea superba, locally referred to as red kwao kura. Butea superba is the top choice in traditional Thai medicine for treating erectile dysfunction. It’s also popularly utilized as an aphrodisiac and for the improvement of sexual vigor, especially in older men.

Not only does Butea superba improve erectile function, extracts from this medicinal plant have also been shown to improve sperm motility and increase sperm concentration. In animal studies, Butea superba has been shown to help diabetic rats achieve erections. Diabetes is one of the common causes of erectile dysfunction.

#4 Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack)

Tongkat ali is popular for its many uses and is recognized as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for impotence. The effects of tongkat ali on erectile dysfunction have been documented in various scientific studies.

Tongkat ali has been found effective for increasing sexual motivation and for improving sexual performance. What’s interesting about tongkat ali is that it has been shown to help shorten the refractory period in between copulations in mice. Increased coitus duration was also observed after treatment with an ethanol extract of tongkat ali.

This means that the subjects that were treated with tongkat ali did not need to rest for long after ejaculation and could immediately engage again in sex, even after engaging in sex for a longer period than usual. This could be a natural result of the energy boosting and restorative properties of tongkat ali.

#5 Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus terrestris, one of the most researched herbal medicine for impotence, is used in both traditional Indian and Chinese medicine to increase libido, improve sexual vigor, and treat erectile dysfunction.

In a recent study, the efficacy of Tribulus terrestris in treating impotence was validated. Patients with mild or moderate erectile dysfunction were treated with Tribulus terrestris for 12 weeks. This resulted in significant improvements in erectile function scores.

Compared to the placebo-treated control group, those who received the Tribulus terrestris treatment also showed better scores in sexual satisfaction, orgasmic function, and sexual desire.

In previous studies, Tribulus terrestris has also been shown to be effective in improving sperm parameters such as sperm motility and sperm concentration. It has also been shown to help post-menopausal women recover their libido.

Aside from improving sexual health, Tribulus terrestris has also been shown to contain high concentrations of antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and liver-protective properties of Tribulus terrestris are attributed to its high antioxidant content.