Bizarre law turns Coffee, Chocolate into prescription drugs

It could be a case of “Doctor Doctor, I need my morning coffee script renewed,” if a bizarre move to ban spiked herbal sex pills is approved. That’s because coffee, as well as chocolate, pomegranate juice and a host of other ‘normal and safe’ foods and herbs contain the active ingredients similar to those in ED drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

And in a bid to control “Green Viagra” – sex pills adulterated with ED drugs – New Zealand authorities are gunning for any substance containing PDE-5 inhibitors, the thing that makes ED drugs work.

In a move that natural health advocates suspect is directly from mega pharma interests keen to squash competition, popular men’s sex herbs horny goat weed and guarana could also be made prescription only medicines.

Many people prefer herbal alternatives because they are more relaxed and natural to use, and don’t produce a feeling of “compulsion” on female partners to comply so the man “get’s his money’s worth”.

Popular herbal sex tonic Herbal Ignite is one supplement likely to be affected by the change, because it contains horny goat weed, with the active ingredient icarin, a PDE-5 inhibitor.

If the regulators carry through with their proposal, New Zealand will be the only country in the world that makes horny goat weed into a prescription medicine – they obviously think it works!

The muddle has occurred because health authorities understandably want to control sales of “spiked” sex pills, many of them produced in Asia, adulterated with active ingredients (the so-called PDE-5 inhibitors) from ED medicines Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

But in their enthusiasm to curb sale of the adulterated pills, NZ health regulators are recommending that any substance containing a PDE-5 inhibitor be made a prescription medicine.

The problem is PDE-5 inhibitors are found in smaller or greater amounts in many foods and herbs, and the recommendation suggests a blanket ban without any reference to risk levels or the strength of the active ingredient.

Herbal Ignite managing director Tim Bickerstaff said his company was fully behind the moves to outlaw “spiked” sex pills because they gave all herbal enhancement products a bad name.

“These ‘spiked’ pills claim to be totally natural and yet they contain undeclared amounts of drugs,” he says.

“That could be dangerous. It highlights the importance for the public to find a product they can trust,” said Tim Bickerstaff, who launched his men’s sex tonic Ignite ten years ago.

However Tim Bickerstaff says he believes the NZ authorities already have the power to deal with the problem, just as the FDA did in the USA, without outlawing a safe and effective herb.

“If they find “spiked” herbal products in their testing they can prosecute them under several different laws, including the Medicines Act, Medicines Regulations and the Dietary Supplements Regulations. They don’t need to introduce more red tape – and give the pharmaceutical companies a free run.”

Is testosterone supplementation effective for ED?

The short answer is yes – in some, but not all – cases where testosterone levels are low.

Approximately 10 to 15 percent of men with erectile dysfunction suffer from low testosterone levels. Yet up to a quarter of all men are estimated to have low testosterone levels, with that number rising as men age – and it’s not clear why some, but not all, experience ED as a consequence.

What is clear is that when low testosterone is the cause of ED, 40 to 60 percent of men benefit from testosterone supplementation. When other factors – poor blood supply to penis, stress, etc – are involved – testosterone treatment alone is not nearly as effective in curing erectile dysfunction, even though it may increase sexual desire.

Now it’s become clear that testosterone supplements can give a big boost to men who don’t respond to impotence drugs like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. It is estimated a significant proportion of men – between 25 and 50 per cent – do not respond to the medications which have become known as PDE5 inhibitors.

When testosterone is added to the therapy up to 70 per cent of men with low testosterone find the cure for erectile dysfunction, as well as improving their orgasms and overall quality of life.

The same strong result was found in men with low testosterone using long acting testosterone therapy alone, who received testosterone injections at six weeks and then three monthly intervals.

After twelve and 30 weeks of testosterone treatment, 20 out of the 29 patients demonstrated marked improvement in erectile function, without using any other medication.

As a result, men’s health organisations are reporting a change in the attitude to the use of testosterone supplements – which recent studies have found can be helpful in treating conditions linked with male ageing like tiredness, depression, and lack of libido.

Recent studies have also suggested that the effects of an age-related lack of testosterone may go beyond feeling a bit tired, with type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease appearing to be linked with it.

Another reason for updating the guidelines on who to screen for testosterone deficiency and how to treat it lies in the results of some studies that suggest that some of the fears about testosterone supplements increasing the risk of prostate cancer may have been unfounded.

The new guidelines recommend measuring testosterone in all men who have both type 2 diabetes and symptoms of testosterone deficiency, and in those with erectile dysfunction or low libido.

“This is a major change. That puts a lot of people in the category of being screened for low testosterone,” says Andre Araujo, director of epidemiology at the New England Research Institutes in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Hot Herbs for Valentines

The quest for the perfect aphrodisiac is as long as human history, and yet many sex experts – Dr Ruth among them – still say the most important sex organ is located between the ears – as in “it’s all in your mind.”

Chocolate, oysters, avocado and honey have all had their place as romance boosters in 5000 years of folklore, although 20 years ago the FDA poured a cold shower on the whole idea of libido lifters as “unscientific.”

However as the baby boomers reach 60 and notice things ain’t what they used to be in the bedroom, many are discovering that centuries of human experience can’t be dismissed as simple “anecdote”. Natural enhancement has been around since man walked upright, and natural sex boosters are coming out of the closet.

So here’s our pick of A Lover’s Dozen of Sex Boosting Herbs to add an extra spark to Valentines Day for men and women. For info on where you can find health products containing some of these herbs, go to http://www.herbalignite.com.

Tribulus Terrestris

A testosterone enhancer from Europe which works for both men and women (in women it helps with menopause symptoms). Lifts performance and libido.

Damiana

South America shrub induces a testosterone effect and was used by the ancient Mayans as an aphrodisiac drink. Scientific effects recorded over 100 years ago.

Guarana

A stimulant also known as Brazilian cocoa and a national beverage there. Guarana increases energy and libido, helps with weight loss, soothes nerves and fights free radicals.

Ginseng

Used by North American Indians as a general tonic to give extra energy and strength. (Daniel Boone used to pick wild ginseng and sell it in New York.) Widely used to improve overall energy and vitality, particularly during times of fatigue or stress. Beneficial for diabetics as studies show it normalizes glucose levels after meals.

Gingko Biloba

Counters impotence. Ultrasound examinations of 60 impotent men who took ginkgo biloba herb showed improved penile blood circulation after six weeks. After six months, 50% of the patients had regained potency. Many other benefits including increases blood flow to the brain, reduces risk of heart attacks and stroke. Good for treating complications from diabetes, particularly nerve damage and eye problems. Ginko biloba may put the pep back lost as a result of taking anti-depressants.

Horny Goat Weed Herb

A performance enhancer and a libido and energy booster for both men and women.

Saw Palmetto

Excellent herb for prostate health, sexual functioning and desire. Shrinks the prostate, relieves the major symptoms of enlarged prostate – benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

For Women

Tong Kat Ali

Also called Long Jack, an Asian forest extract with consistent performance boosting properties. Just watch out for insomnia as a possible side effect, so perhaps take it in the morning for good effects later in the day.

Black Cohosh

Popular as a natural alternative treatment for women’s menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flushes.

Chaste Tree Berry

Also known as Vitex, the Chaste berry well known since ancient times for treating “womens problems”. It is mentioned in Homer’s 6^th century BC epic the Iliad and was known to “The Father of Medicine” Hippocrates in the 4^th century. Chaste berries are used in treating PMS and menopause.

Dong Quai

Also known as Chinese angelica (and not related to the European Angelica) Dong is considered the ultimate, all-purpose woman’s tonic herb. It is used for almost every gynecological complaint from regulating the menstrual cycle to treating menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal changes, including dryness and hot flushes.

Wild Yam

Has progesterone-favourable effects on the body, because it contains a compound from which progesterone is made. Wild Yam extract helps regulate the estrogen /progesterone ratio, normalizing imbalance. Good for menopausal problems such as sleeplessness, hot flushes and vaginal dryness and for menstrual cramps. Topically applied progesterone creams can help with sexual health.

The pioneer in the use of natural progesterone was Dr John Lee, who investigated natural progesterone in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause – The Breakthrough Book on Natural Progesterone. Dr Lee coined the term “estrogen dominance” and was one of the first to show that synthetic hormones did not do what was claimed and could be harmful to health. His book lists recommended creams of guaranteed quality. Although Dr Lee died in 2003, his work is continued on his official website at John Lee MD (http://www.johnleemd.com/)