Beware: These Natural Male Libido Ingredients Could Actually Harm You
Today, if you're looking for more energy, a better libido or just to increase your sexual health, there are a myriad of natural formulas and ingredients available on the market. While products and ingredients can range from clinically proven (like Macabido) to just plain ineffective, there are a few that can actually harm your health. Stay away from these risky male libido ingredients commonly found in natural men's health supplements.
Yohimbe May Cause Dangerous Side Effects
Yohimbe is an ingredient extracted from the bark of a tree native to Africa, Pausinystalia yohimbe. It can commonly be found in various supplements designed for erectile dysfunction and low libido. Although it is effective for dilating blood vessels, therefore promoting arousal, it has severe side effects due to its stimulant properties.
The side effects of yohimbe not only make it unpleasant to take but may also present a medical danger. In large doses, yohimbe can cause events like panic attacks and cardiac arrest. The side effects of yohimbe include:
- anxiety
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- excitation
- headache
- high blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- irritability
- low blood pressure
- nausea and vomiting
- skin flushing
- tremors
- Yohimbe has also been known to increase the severity of Raynaud's phenomenon.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Since yohimbe is a stimulant, it can also interact with many medications. This increases the danger of the herb and can decrease your medication's effectiveness. Never take yohimbe if you take any of the following medications:
- amitriptyline
- amoxapine
- chlordiazepoxide
- clomipramine
- desipramine
- desvenlafaxine
- doxepin
- selegiline
- furazolidone
- imipramine
- isocarboxazid
- linezolid
- lorcaserin
- maprotiline
- morphine
- naltrexone
- nefazodone
- nortriptyline
- perphenazine
- phenelzine
- procarbazine
- protriptyline
- rasagiline
- selegiline
- trimipramine
- troglitazone
- venlafaxine
Additionally, don't use yohimbe if you have cardiovascular disease, peptic ulcer disease, renal dysfunction, liver disease, any type of mental health condition or for women, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Horny Goat Weed: A Poorly-Researched Herb
Horny goat weed is an herb found in Asia and in the Mediterranean. It's been a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years and is used throughout the world as a purported aphrodisiac. However, the libido-boosting effects of this plant are not well proven. There have only been a small handful of animal studies showing a pro-libido potential, and it has not been shown to increase libido or erectile quality in humans.
Horny goat weed is not only poorly researched when it comes to efficacy, but other aspects of the herb also remain unknown. The side effects, drug interactions and health condition interactions of horny goat weed are little-studied and mostly unrecorded. However, animal studies have found that taking horny goat weed in conjunction with a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction causes a negative interaction. So, don't take horny goat weed alongside such medication.
Although there is no hard scientific data on the side effects of horny goat weed, personal anecdotes reveal that it may cause heart rhythm disturbances, insomnia, anxiety and more.
Tongkat Ali: Not Safe When Taken with Other Herbs
Tongkat ali, known to science as Eurycoma longifolia, is a small shrub native to the forests of Malaysia, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia. Alongside yohimbe and horny goat weed, tongkat ali is found in many sexual health supplements. However, tongkat ali cannot be counted among the best male libido ingredients. Although studies show that it has a mild effect on erectile potential, it doesn't increase testosterone.
The limited effectiveness of tongkat ali along with its side effects make it not really worth taking. Side effects increase with higher dosage, and they can include:
- anxiety
- increased body temperature
- insomnia
- restlessness
- sleep disturbance
- Other undocumented side effects are also possible.
The side effects of tongkat ali can increase not only with higher dosage, but also if you take it alongside another libido-boosting herb that has stimulant properties. Yohimbe, horny goat weed, ginseng and many others can cause more side effects when taken at the same time as tongkat ali.
How to Choose the Best Male Libido Ingredients
Natural supplements for sexual health can be more affordable than prescriptions and sometimes carry less side effects. However, not all supplements are equal. Neither yohimbe, horny goat weed and tongkat ali are particularly effective. Each of these unfortunately common herbs also carries negative side effects. They aren't safe to take with medications and other herbs, and they're certainly not safe to take for extended periods of time.
Many men looking for a natural libido solution often turn to these three dangerous herbs simply because they are seen everywhere. However, if you want to boost your sexual health you really shouldn't just buy the first product you see that promises results; you should put a little more thought into it.
The ideal lasting solution for a problem with your libido, erection quality or overall sexual health should meet a few guidelines: The ideal male libido ingredients will be well-studied, be shown to be effective in humans, have few or no side effects, be safe to take alongside your other medications and supplements and be safe to take for extended periods of time. Good examples of reliable ingredients for men who want to improve their sexual health include fenugreek, Ginkgo biloba, L-argnine, maca, Panax ginseng and zinc.
