May 4, 2010 Tuesday
"There are two sorts of doctors; those who practice with their brains and those who practice with their tongues."
"Faith underlies the healing in many settings"
Osler is responsible for both quotes. In the latter quote, he extrapolated--'while we doctors often overlook or are ignorant of our own faith cures, we are just a bit too sensitive about those performed outside our ranks. We have never had, and cannot expect to have a monopoly in this pancrea which is open to all, free as the sun and which may make of every one in certain cases, a good physician out of Nature's grace.'
I believe he was stating that many can cure diseases in different types of modalities, from medications to faith to herbs. I want to believe this for I respect Dr. William Osler more than any physician I have read about or studied.
Who can argue when he states "A physician needs a clear head and a kind heart"?
Today's blog continues with herbs for long term sexual vigor. I want to discuss Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) , which can stimulate the female sexual glands. See, I didn't forget about the female sex. It is an important herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is a fantastic herb when a doctor, usually an integrative doctor, states you have adrenal exhaustion. These glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, get exhausted and over-used when the individual is stressed. More adrenaline (or epinephrine) gets released when your adrenals are stressed, thus causing more anxiety and palpitations. It then pours more sugar into the blood circulation...a vicious cycle. If your adrenals are exhausted, then you are fatigued, depressed, unable to concentrate, anxious and 'run down'. The furthest thought from your mind is sex. The use of licorice can strengthen and boost the adrenal glands. Not only do females suffer from adrenal stress, many men do as well. The use of licorice is most often used in the post-menopausal female. One warning is that licorice can increase your blood pressure. Remember, I always state that herbs are drugs. Consult your health care professional before using an herb.
When you think of Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinales), what do you think of? I always think of root beer! This is because it is a flavoring in the carbonated drink, root beer. For Native Americans, it was considered a male tonic and aphrodisiac. In Europe in the 16th century, it was used to treat syphilis. I am trying to find out why but I cannot find data to indicate the possible reason. Saraparilla does contain a steroid-like compound, so you will see it in protein drinks to increase muscle mass and body mass in weight lifters or anyone who wants more muscle. There is no evidence to indicate this, nor is there any data to indicate that this herb contains a male hormone. The saponins in this herb stimulate the body's metabolism. I have seen female patients take it to increase urination when they have a urinary tract infection. I rather then use uva ursi to treat their infection.
Like the two "G" herbs yesterday - ginkgo and ginseng - Schisandra (Schisandra chinesis) is another adaptogen. It is the Chinese who have used it extensively--the men as a general tonic and sex stimulant and the female as a sex stimulant and preserver of beauty. Who wouldn't want to use it since the Chinese have had so much success with this herb? It has been studied to increase aerobic activity and stamina.
An amino acid that releases nitric oxide thus dilating the sexual organs, as the penis, is L-arginine. It is a natural Viagra. The amount of L-arginine must be as high as 6-9 grams/day. You must consume it daily and as a powder. The reason for this is that arginine is only available is 500mg capsules, so to take 5 grams you would need 10 capsules. If you have a herpes virus, L-arginine is the food fuel source for the herpes virus. The same analogy is for nuts. Nuts contain L-arginine so if you have a herpes virus (which is active) limit the ingestion of nuts.
Are there dangerous herbal aphrodisiac? Of course there are! The blog tomorrow will highlight some of these herbs. In addition to L-arginine, I would like to discuss other supplements which are more common in regard to sexuality. These include Vitamin E, B complex, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) and phenylalanine.
Until tomorrow...
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