Can orchids help erectile dysfunction? An erectile dysfunction herbal therapy or new medication could soon be in development. With the online publication of an article this week in the International Journal of Impotence Research, researchers announced that an aphrodisiac compound found in an orchid could help men with erectile dysfunction. These findings may lead to a “commercially viable and valuable drug for erectile dysfunction,” according to the authors of the study.
The research team was led by Dr. A. Subramoniam at the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute. “Our research basically shows the aphrodisiac activity of the flowers of an epiphytic orchid Vanda tessellate. It is caused by an increase in the level of nitric oxide in erectile tissue, which contains most of the blood in the penis during erection and it gives results as early as 30 minutes after oral administration,”’ said Dr Subramoniam.
Nitric oxide (NO) helps with biological functions that include vasodilation (blood vessel dilation) and penile erection from increased blood flow.
Any new herbal therapy or medication from a natural source, such as this orchid, means good news for men facing problems with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction affects more than 30 million men in the United States, and one in 10 men may experience erectile dysfunction at some point their lives.
Causes of erectile dysfunction can include lifestyle habits and nutrition, medications, prostate cancer treatments, enlarged prostate, psychological causes, other health conditions, and trauma to the penis. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor to find out the cause and how to treat it. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking supplements or medications.
Read more in our Erectile Dysfunction Health Center.
Reference
Subramoniam A. A novel aphrodisiac compound from an orchid that activates nitric oxide synthases. International Journal of Impotence Research 2013 Nov-Dec;25(6):212-16.