Extendzine Reviewed

Damiana is a shrub belonging to the family of Turneraceae. Even though it is a small shrub, it produces aromatic, small flowers. It is generally found in the regions of South America, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. It is also a fruit bearing shrub. The flowers generally blossom in late summer on the damiana shrub. Then the fruits follow. The fruit it bears is quite similar in taste to figs. It emits a smell which is quite similar to the odor of chamomile. The oils present in the shrub are reason behind this odor. It is said to have aphrodisiac properties. Natives of south and Central America use the leaves to make tea. In Mexico, the tea made with damiana leaves is generally drunk with sugar so as to increase the love making ability.

Ginkgo Biloba is known to increase blood flow to the brain and has treated numerous ailments, neurological disorders and circulation problems and have assisted with difficulties like dizziness, memory, mental fatigue and headaches, to name a few.

Horny Goat Weed is actually belonging to the genus Epimedum, where about sixty species are in the family of Berberidaceae, all of them flowering herbaceous plants. Many of the species have the tag of being aphrodisiacs, but Horny Goat Weed seems to be the most potent one. It is found naturally in south of China, then toward Europe all over Asia, whereby only the furthest outposts of Europe seems to grow these perennials. Japanese cultivars have imported Epimedum for centuries already, using it as garden plants. The legend states that a goat keeper observed the mating habits of the goats after they consumed the Horny Goat Weed and thus recognized the properties of the plant. Chinese herbal medicine used this icariin containing plant for treatment of erectile dysfunctions. It seems to mimic testosterone effects, is a PDE5 inhibitor, just like Viagra, antioxidant, antidepressant and has nootropic properties as well.

L-Arginine refers to the amino acid having numerous functions and this helps the body in getting rid of ammonia. This is useful in making compounds such as creatine, L-proline and L-glutamate. This is easily converted into glycogen and glucose, if required. L-arginine is useful in making nitric oxide. L-arginine helps in improving the relaxed blood vessels such as erectile dysfunction and atherosclerosis. L-arginine is effective in protein formation as well and this stimulates the hormones growth and prolactin. L-arginine is useful in making nitric oxide that decreases the stiffness in the blood vessels and enhances the blood flow thereby improving the blood vessel functions. L-arginine is strictly prevented from using after a heart attack. L-arginine is useful for erectile dysfunction that relaxes the muscles that is enveloping the blood vessels supporting the penis. The blood vessels dilate in the penis and increase the flow of blood and helps in maintaining the erection. L-arginine repairs wound. However, L-arginine is produced in the liver and kidney and the food sources are dairy products, nuts, poultry, fish and meat.

Macuna Pruriens is a flowering plant in the legume family, genus mucuna and the family Fabaceae, sub family Phaseoleae. It is a climbing plant, a shrub with over fifteen meter extending vines, which has a long lasting history of being used as an aphrodisiac. It is actually containing a lot of levodopa, which is a precursor of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. The levodopa is also used for centuries in traditional medicines, such as Ayurveda, for combating Parkinson’s disease. Some parts of the plant contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, also known as serotonin. These hairy parts have commonly been used to produce itching powder. Seeds are believed to have certain antidepressant qualities, when ingested; furthermore, it contains other ingredients, such as nicotine, 5-HTP, dimethyltryptamine – DMT, and bufotenine, which can induce psychedelic reactions.

Magnesium, which is a mineral used by the body to help maintain muscles, bones, and nerves. Magnesium is also needed for energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Saw Palmetto , a North American plant is very popular for its extract which comprises of sterols and fatty acids. It has been used by the Native Americans in the treatment of urinary and genital tract along with various other problems related to the reproductive system. The extract from saw palmetto is marketed as an aphrodisiac and since it is also anabolic, it helps in building muscle tissues. Fatty acid is what saw palmetto is made up of such as oleic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid. It is very useful for treating BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) as it reduces the testosterone action on the prostate gland due to which the prostate doesn’t get enlarged and interferes with urine flow. Saw palmetto is very effective in curing chronic bronchitis and bladder inflammation.

Selenium is considered good for health if taken in small amounts. It is a trace mineral which when incorporated into protein, makes selenoproteins that helps stop cellular damage due to free radicals. The major source of selenium is plant foods and its content in the food depends on the selenium content in the soil where it was grown. Also known as selenium acid, selenium sulfide and selenium yeast, this mineral is available in seafood and meat products. The main function of selenium is to work with vitamin E in order to maintain the elasticity and preservation of tissues. It not only helps in improving the supply of oxygen and blood to the muscles in the heart but also slows down the aging process by enhancing endurance.

Tribulus Terrestris is an invasive species and noxious weed, but also a flowering perennial plant that is native to warmer to tropical regions of Europe, south of Asia, Africa, north of Australia and recently naturalized in both of the Americas. Historically, the Tribulus terrestris was recognized by the traditional Chinese medicine and the Indian ayurveda. Because of the increases in testosterone levels, also dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, Tribulus terrestris was deemed an aphrodisiac, but also a nerve tonic and diuretic. Protodioscin was identified as the active chemical in T. terrestris, which is a relative to DHEA. These traits have made this supplement very popular with the body building community, and also why it was used in Extendzine,Tribulus terrestris is used as a promoter of a stable libido function and to augment the muscle tone.

Yohimbe, which when ingested, the body converts to yohimbine and assimilates it into the bloodstream. Yohimbe comes from the bark of a tree that grows primarily in Africa. Yohimbine, an alkaloid, is the primary active ingredient of yohimbe. Yohimbe is commonly used as an aphrodisiac and antioxidant. Yohimbe is also used as a vasodilator, which means that it increases blood flow to the extremities and appendages, this is one of the main reasons why it is found in many sexual aids.

Zinc is acknowledged as essential to the human organism. It is a trace element found in over a hundred and up to three hundred enzymes. It is the second most important mineral in the body, after iron. Zinc is also defined as an important catalytic agent, which is active in enzymatic reactions such as hydroxilation, which is essential for the protein forming amino acid proline, but also for hypoxia response. Zinc is naturally found in red meat, milk, spinach, nuts, oysters, beans and oats. Low zinc counts can attribute to a weakened immune system, interfere with muscle building, cause diarrhea and all kind of other deficiencies. In body building circles, Zinc is an important supplement, valued for the indirect increment of testosterone and the muscle building role.