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, actually ginkgo biloba, is a unique species of a tree, is also deemed a living fossil, because it is deemed an ancient genus. All other genera are extinct, but in China it has been cultivate for centuries, so this species survived. While it was believed that no ginkgo plants were present in the wild, some areas in eastern China have been recently discovered. Ginkgo biloba extract is usually derived from the leaves and the inner seed of the fruit. It is due to certain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids that certain nootropic properties have been observed, leading to clinical trials in treatments of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In body building circles, this extract is being used as concentration and memory enhancer, increasing blood flow with antioxidant properties as an additional bonus.

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 an amino acid that performs several functions in the human body. L-Arginine not only helps in getting rid of the ammonia but also aids the formation of nitric oxide, a compound responsible for relaxation of blood vessels. This amino acid is also involved in the formation of protein in human body. Besides stimulating the release of prolactin and growth hormones, L-Arginine can help in the treatment of heart diseases as it increases blood flow and improves the function of the blood vessels. It is effective for treating erectile dysfunction and heals wounds effectively. L-Arginine is produced in the liver as well as the kidney. Food items which include this acid are animal proteins like meat, fish, poultry and plants. L-Arginine supplements become essential when the supply of arginine depletes because of infections and severe burns.

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 another mineral which is deemed essential for all biological life. As an essential part of basic nucleic acid, magnesium ions, together with phosphate ions, are also required for over 300 catalytic reactions of enzymes. Any enzymes synthesizing or utilizing adenosine triphosphate require a magnesium ion. Incredulously enough, magnesium deficiency is the most widespread deficiency, affecting a third of the population in the United States only, with third world countries surpassing the count easily. Being also essential, together with calcium and phosphorus, in the skeletal structure, magnesium deficiency is viewed as a main factor in ailments such as osteoporosis. Naturally available through cereals, green leafy vegetables, nuts, spices, tea, cocoa and coffee, magnesium is available as a supplement in magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate form, whereby the latter is viewed as more bioavailable.

Saw Palmetto , also known as Serenoa repens, which is the only species from the genus Serenoa in the Arecaceae family. Arecaceae are actually all palm trees and Saw Palmetto is no exception. It is a smaller version of a palm tree with heights that do not surpass four meters. It is believed to be native to southeast of the United States, the oldest plants found in Florida with almost 700 years of age. The berry-like fruits are rich in fatty acids and plant sterols and Saw Palmetto extract has been often used for treatment of urinary tract problems, mainly infections. Some other applications related to cholesterol have been evaluated, but no indications were proven. Treatment against benign prostatic hyperplasia is currently under evaluation, whereby initial data was encouraging, but methodological research data contradictory.

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 an essential mineral that is used in many healing processes to speed up the healing process in instance that include sunburned skin, diaper rash and helps prevent premature aging of the skin.