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 (derived from the Chinese word gin=silver, kyo=apricot) tree, which has been around for more than 270 million years, is regarded as a symbol of longevity. The popularity of the Ginkgo tree can be attributed to the biloba (two-lobed) leaves of the tree, along with the inner seed of the fruit for the invaluable therapeutic properties they offer to mankind. As such, you will see the good effects of ginkgo biloba extracts provided you use high quality extract supplements. Ginkgo biloba extract can be used to treat various ailments ranging from simple disorders like anxiety, dizziness and headache to more complex ones such as memory problems, depression, asthma, and lung congestion. Due to its ability to improve blood flow to the brain, it is used as a brain tonic by many people.

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 is one of the most common naturally occurring amino acids. In adults, arginine is deemed semi-essential, while for infants it is believed to be essential alpha amino acid. The functions of L-Arginine are multiple, it plays roles in the healing of wounds, immune function, hormone release, ammonia removal and cell division. It is also believed to be a precursor of nitric oxide, increasing the muscle mass, reduce body fat, decrease blood pressure and a dozen other functions, such as reducing the recuperation time after a serious injury, bone fractures and similar in particular. Since that L-Arginine can be produced by the human body, ingestion is conditionally not necessary, but sources include dairy products, meat such as beef and pork, poultry, but also vegetables like nuts, seeds, oatmeal, wheat flour and more.

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 is the chemical element found in the periodic table with the atomic number 12. This alkaline earth metal is one of ten most common elements in the known universe and also very prominently present in the human body. It manipulates polyphosphate compounds, most prominently the DNA, RNA and the ATP. Numerous enzymes rely on magnesium ions to function properly. Most common application of magnesium in medicine may be the addition to antacids and laxatives. This metal is not found as a free element naturally on Earth, generally the metal is obtained through electrolysis of magnesium salts. The most common deficiency in the United States with staggering two thirds of the population is the magnesium deficiency. Magnesium can be obtained through vegetables, tea, cocoa, cereals, coffee, nuts and spices.

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 a natural herb utilized to improve men’s sexual performance along with their sports performance.

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.