Health Hotline Magazine | June 2025

Get Results with Ginseng The herbal supplement Korean Panax Ginseng ( P. ginseng ) has been used for various conditions in East Asian countries for at least 2,000 years. It’s e ective

Lifestyle Changes Make a Big Difference Dealing with ED? Try the MD, the Mediterranean Diet that is. Research shows that a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), can improve ED symptoms and lower the risk of developing ED in the first place. One study found that men younger than 60 who had the highest adherence to the MD had the lowest relative risk of ED compared to men with the lowest scores. Among older men, higher MD scores were also inversely associated with ED. A separate 2021 study evaluating the e ect of the MD on 250 hypertensive (high blood pressure) middle-aged males with ED found that the MD improved erectile performance in hypertensive males with ED by enhancing testosterone and improving coronary and central vascular physiology. To support your best sexual health, look to foods such as organic fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, wild-caught fish and humanely raised meats, pasture-based dairy and eggs, nuts and seeds, and extra virgin olive oil, while avoiding processed foods and sugars. Physical exercises that support cardiovascular health can also help prevent and improve ED symptoms. Exercise benefits ED by improving blood pressure, blood flow, mood, and stamina. It doesn’t have to be a high-intensity workout either—think yoga (also a big stress-buster), pelvic floor exercises, daily walks, or Pilates to get moving and target ED from all fronts. Speaking of stress—this can be a commonly overlooked factor of ED. Stress can cause a myriad of issues like anxiety and depression, which can a ect the body physically. In addition to exercise, mental health treatments like talk therapy and counseling are also recommended to address the psychological factors that may be contributing to ED. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also be major causes of ED. In fact, smokers are between one and a half to two times more likely to experience ED than non-smokers. Quitting smoking can improve blood circulation, making it easier for the blood to move into, and stay in, the penis during sex. Short-term and long-term chronic alcohol consumption can also cause ED. According to studies, short-term alcohol depresses the central nervous system, slowing the transmission of information between the brain and penis, leading to decreased sensitivity. Furthermore, according to a 2020 review, anywhere from 16 to

in treating a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, as well as improving general quality of life.

Many also turn to ginseng for its ability to improve ED and sexual function— ginseng promotes the release of nitric oxide, exerting a direct e ect on ED by relaxing muscles and improving blood flow to support a healthy erection. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the e cacy and safety of ginseng on sexual function in men with ED, participants were given four tablets of either standardized 350 mg ginseng extract (per tablet) or a placebo daily for eight weeks. Using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), at the end of the fourth and eighth weeks, researchers observed that the total and individual scores of IIEF increased significantly in the ginseng group by the eighth week. Additionally, PEDT scores significantly improved in the ginseng group after four and eight weeks of treatment. The researchers concluded, “Oral administration of the ginseng extract improved all domains of sexual function. It can be used as an alternative medicine to improve sexual life in men with sexual dysfunction.” Restore Function with Ginkgo Another herbal supplement showing promising results for ED is ginkgo biloba extract made from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. As a natural source of flavonoids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory terpenoids, it’s most commonly used to support cognitive function and blood circulation, and to that e ect, has been shown to have a positive e ect on ED. In fact, researchers discovered the e ect ginkgo had on ED when male participants in a memory study reported improved erections. A study including 50 patients with ED who were treated with 240 mg of ginkgo extract daily for nine months showed improved penile blood supply within

73 percent of chronic heavy alcohol users experienced dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system—which controls unconscious functions—and the most commonly occurring symptom was ED. ED is not just an inevitable conclusion as you age. With the right supplements and herbs, adopting a healthy diet devoid of processed foods, incorporating stress reducing physical exercise and talk therapy, and making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake—you can help your body combat ED naturally.

weeks. Additionally, 50 percent of the patients regained erectile

function after just six months of treatment.

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For references, please visit naturalgrocers.com/issue-95