Since ancient times, men throughout the world have been searching for aphrodisiacs to enhance their virility. Sexual energy is very powerful. Aside from herbs, diet, lifestyle and yoga, using discrimination in choosing a sexual partner also plays a contributing role in good sexual health. Ayurveda teaches that conditions must be right and that mutual pleasure is necessary for both partners to have a satisfying sexual experience. In famed ancient Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, the author explains that one of the best aphrodisiacs for man is a partner who loves him.
According to Ayurveda, sex is the third pillar of Life, the first two being diet and sleep. These form the foundation on which to build a life of health and longevity. The attitude you hold toward sex should be one of respect and discipline in order to reflect good health. Ayurveda understands the act of sex as a powerful use of creative energy. Without proper discipline, sex can exhaust and deplete the body of ojas, the vital essence or “juice” of the body, resulting in a negative effect on overall health.
Virility is described as a man’s ability to successfully engage in the act of copulation. This includes having healthy and plentiful sperm and the ability to attain and maintain an erection to allow for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Though there are numerous disorders of the male reproductive system including infertility, premature ejaculation, loss of libido, and inability to achieve orgasm to name a few, erectile dysfunction continues to be the most common complaint related to male sexual health.
According to researchers from the National Institute of Health (NIH), it is estimated that ten to twenty million American men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Causes of erectile dysfunction can be both organic and psychological. According to The Impotence Research Center at Boston University, organic or physiological causes include:
- congestive problems in the vascular system such as atherosclerosis, high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure
- pelvic surgery, pelvic trauma or physical shock
- drugs such as antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-psychotics, tranquilizers
- alcohol and tobacco
- endocrine disorders, diabetes, hypothyroidism
- diseases or trauma to male sex organs, penis or prostate
- neurological diseases
Psychological causes are typically stress, overwork, performance anxiety or fear of rejection, and depression.
To understand these causes in terms of Ayurveda and to determine appropriate therapeutic treatment, it is best to seek the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner. Many times, there may be a combination of factors contributing to erectile dysfunction both physical and psychological and the way each factor presents itself within each individual is dependent on individual constitution or prakruti.
For a general understanding, the causes such as trauma, shock, certain neurological disorders, fear and anxiety are typically vata in nature. Many of the prescription drugs that cause erectile dysfunction, most commonly antacids, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications primarily affect pitta dosha. Alcohol and tobacco primarily cause imbalance to pitta and vata doshas. Generally, all vascular or congestive problems restricting blood flow to the penis, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and other obesity related causes are considered kapha-type imbalances.
Ayurveda understands virility as an indication of good health. Though virility tends to naturally decrease as a man gets older, erectile dysfunction is treatable at any age. Healthy men can remain virile into their eighties and beyond. Virilization uses similar therapies and herbs as recommended for rejuvenation of the body. Both virilization and rejuvenation aim to increase ojas. The main difference is that virilization focuses on specifically nourishing the reproductive organs, improving sperm count, and enhancing libido. Supporting sexual health is an integral part of maintaining vitality in the body as a whole. Because the act of sex is ruled by vata dosha, virilization and building sexual health is aimed to calm and nourish the nervous system. With vata dosha in balance, it is generally much easier to maintain balance within the other two doshas. Ayurveda stresses maintaining the health of the reproductive system not only to have a better sex life but to live longer.
Diet
For vata and pitta-type disorders, tonifying and rejuvenating foods are recommended. Special foods that are ojas-enhancing are ghee, almonds, dates, and sesame oil. A vata pacifying may also be useful.
If erectile dysfunction is due to vascular insufficiency (typically kapha-type disorder) there may be a lack of interest in sex (low or no libido). It is imperative to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and obesity. Consider a kapha-reducing diet.
Other recommendations:
- Limit alcohol, particularly before a sexual encounter. Chicago Medical School researchers have found alcohol to decrease the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Alcohol also negatively affects sexual function.
- Minimize processed foods, deep fried foods, animal fats and refined sugars. These foods can contribute to arteriosclerosis, restricting the blood supply to the penis and the nerves which govern arousal.
- Minimize smoking and quit if possible. Smoking can damage the small blood vessels in the penis, decreasing sexual capability
Lifestyle
Regular exercise is a vital component of a man’s overall and sexual health. Aerobic activity in particular is of paramount importance in improving physical fitness for kapha individuals. Increased activity strengthens the body, builds self-esteem, and improves sexual health.
Getting sufficient restful sleep can help the body to renew and restore itself. Sleep is a way to cleanse or digest the previous day’s mental activities which could otherwise accumulate and cause toxic buildup or ama. Revitalizing the body with enough good sleep can increase ojas, the necessary ingredient for a healthy sex life.
After sex, men can revitalize by drinking a date shake, made from the recipe listed below.
Herbs
In addition to diet and lifestyle measures, herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to help in the natural treatment of erectile dysfunction. There are many Ayurvedic herbs that can help improve sexual desire, and health and function of the reproductive organs.
Men’s Support from Banyan Botanicals is a rejuvenating formula for the male reproductive system. This nourishing blend of herbs helps to maintain health and tonify the sex organs. It also contains the powerful Ayurvedic aphrodisiac herb, ashwagandha, recorded in ancient text to give the sexual energy and vitality of a horse. Gokshura, another rejuvenative herb in this formula, also has aphrodisiac properties and helps to strengthen the reproductive system and calm pitta and vata.
Yoga
Reclined Cobbler’s Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) can help increase virility by helping to relieve pelvic congestion, relieve congestion in the gonads and lower blood pressure. Locust pose (Sablabhasana) is an excellent pose to tone pelvic organs and endocrine glands, specifically thyroid, parathyroid, islets of Langerhans and gonads, and help improve disorders of the male reproductive organs.
Practice a couple vata-relieving postures after sex to help fully relax the body and expel excess vata from the pelvis. Knees-to-chest (Apanasana) and restorative posture, legs-up-the wall (Viparitakarani), are both ideal.
Pranayama
Exercising the breath can increase circulation in the body and help to keep the body relaxed and fluid. Improving circulation is very beneficial in cases of vascular obstruction and aids in overall health of the reproductive organs. The relaxation that deep-breathing provides can relieve the stress and anxiety that is many times associated with erectile dysfunction.
Meditation
Meditation can be used during a sexual intercourse to enhance the quality of the experience and increase ojas in the body instead of depleting it. Erectile dysfunction can lead to psychological disturbances such as anxiety, stress, frustration, depression due to anticipation of failure. Regular practice of meditation can help to relieve stress and balance these common emotions and improve virility.
If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.
– William Blake
Here is an “ojas building” recipe that may helps dosha imbalances.
Date Shake
6 dates, pitted
1 1/2 c. goat or almond milk or ½ cup soaked, peeled almonds plus 1 cup of water
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
3 seeded cardamom pods
1 tsp fennel
Place all ingredients in blender and blend. Serve immediately (or the coconut will begin to settle out).
Recipe reprinted with permission from The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Morningstar, Lotus Press, P.O. Box 325, Twin Lakes, WI 53181.(c)1995 All Rights Reserved.
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