Ayurveda remedies for Erectile dysfunction
Definition
of Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Erectile dysfunction is sometimes called as “impotence”.
The term "erectile dysfunction" can mean the inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to achieve only brief erections.
Ayurveda defines
Erectile dysfunction or ED as follows.
Sankalpapravano nityam
priyaam vashyaamapi sthreeyam ||
na yaathi lingashaithilyaath kadaachidyaathi
vaa yadi |
Shwaasaarthaha swinnagaatrshcha moghasankalpacheshtitaha
||
mlaanashishnashcha nirbeejaha syodetat klaibyalaxanam
|
This means even though
a man has a strong desire to perform sexual act with a cooperative partner , he
can not perform sexual act because of looseness (absence of erection ) of his
phallus ( penis). Even if he performs sexual act with his determined efforts he
does not get erection and gets afflicted with tiredness, perspiration and
frustration to perform sex
Physiology of erection
The two chambers of penis
(corpora cavernosa,) which run throught the organ are filled with spongy tissue.
The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane, called the tunica albuginea.
The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and
arteries. The urethra, which is the channel for urine and semen runs along
underside of the corpora cavernosa..
Due to sensory or mental
stimulation, or both, the erection begins. Due to impulses from brain and local
nerves the muscles of corpora cavernosa relax and allow blood to flow in and
fill the spaces of spongy tissue.
The flow of blood creates
pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand. The tunica albuginea
helps trap the blood in the chambers, thereby sustaining erection. When muscles
in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood and open outflow channels,
erection recedes.
In ayurveda physiology of
erection and ejaculation is described as follows
Vrishunow basthimedram cha
naabhyuuru vankshnow gudam|
Apaanasthaanamantrasthaha shukra
mootra shakrunti cha||
The “apaanavayu” one of the five types
of vayu is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus,
thighs, groin, anus and colon. Its functions are ejaculation of semen, voiding
of urine and stools”.
Shushruta explains the
process of erection and ejaculation as “ When a man has desire (iccha) to have sex, his response to
touch increases ( Vayu located in skin causes flow of signals from skin to
brain, thus causing sensation of touch). This causes arousal or “harsha” . Arousal or Harsha intensifies actions of
vayu and at this moment highly active vayu liberates the “teja “or heat of pitta. Thus tejas
and vayu increase body temperature , heart beat and blood flow causing erection.
“
Causes of ED
Erection requires a
sequence of events. Erectile dysfunction can occur when any of the events is
disturbed. Nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, around the penis and
response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and around the
corpora cavernosa constitute this sequence of events. Injury to any of these
parts which are part of this sequence ( nerves, arteries, smooth muscles,
fibrous tissue ) can cause ED.
Lowered level of testosterone hormone: The primary male hormone is
testosterone. After age 40, a man's testosterone level gradually declines. About
5% of men that doctors see for erectile dysfunction have low testosterone
levels. In many of these cases, low testosterone
causes lower sexual interest, not erectile dysfunction.
The whole male body
responds to testosterone. The same response of body
Even
Sushruta has
illustrated about this response of body to the element “Shukra” . He has
said
"yatha payasi sarpistu
goodashchekshow raso yatha shareereshu tatha shukram nrinaam
vidyaadhbishagwara"
This
means " The shukra ( the element which helps in reproduction) is present
all over the body .
This
can be explained with the following examples.
1.
The
ghee is present in milk in an invisible form. This is extracted from milk using
many processes.
2.
The
sugar is present all over the sugarcane. It is extracted by subjecting the
sugarcane to number of processes.
|
|
Same
way shukra is present all over the body. But the cream of shukra (semen)
comes out of the body only during the process of ejaculation. But this process
of ejaculation needs a joyful union of mind and body.
Decrease
in production of “Shukra” causes erectile dysfunction.
Over exertion -
physically and mentally : Working for long hours
in office, mental stress at office and home, short temperedness ,insufficient
sleep cause erectile dysfunction.
These causes are
explained in ayurveda as "shoka chintaa, bhaya,
traasaat .... " which means that erectile dysfunction or Impotence
occurs due to grief, fear, anxiety and terror.
Strained relationship
with sexual partner: Erectile dysfunction
also occurs when there is a disliking towards sexual partner.
Ayurveda describes this as "naarinaamarasamjnatwaat..."
means disliking for women.
Diseases that cause
Erectile dysfunction: Neurological
disorders, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, anemia, depression, arthritis,
endocrine disorders,diabetes, diseases related to cardiovascular system also
become reasons for erectile dysfunction..
According to ayurveda
the diseases which cause erectile dysfunction are "Hritpaandurogatamakakaamalashrama..." -
Heart diseases ,
anemia , asthma , liver disorders , tiredness .Apart from these the imbalance in
tridoshas also cause impotence or erectile dysfunction.
Consumption of
medicines, drugs and tobacco: Using
antidepressants, tranquilizers and antihypertensive medicines for a long
time, addiction to tobacco especially smoking, excessive consumption of
alcohol, addiction to cocaine, heroin and marijuana cause erectile
dysfunction.
In ayurveda texts
these causes have been said in brief as "rukshamannapaanam
tathoushadham" - "dry food , drinks and medicines" cause impotence
or erectile dysfunction.
Trauma to pelvic
region: accidental
injury to pelvic region and surgeries for the conditions of prostate,
bladder, colon, or rectal area may lead to erectile dysfunction.
These causes are
mentioned as abhighata (trauma), shastradantanakhakshataha (injury from weapons, teeth and nail.)
in ayurveda.
Other reasons: Obesity, prolonged
bicycle riding, past history of sexual abuse and old age also cause
Erectile dysfunction.
Ayurveda describes the
cause of impotence or erectile dysfunction due to old age as follows. "
diminution of - tissue elements, strength, energy, span of life, inability
to take nourishing food, physical and mental fatigue lead to impotence"
Remedies
for ED
ED is treatable at any age.
The total treatment in for impotence is called as “ Vajikarana therapy” in ayurveda. As
this therapy increases the strength of a man to perform sexual act, like a
horse, it is called 'Vaajikarana'. ( ' Vaaji'=Horse.)
Vaajikarana
therapy leads to
- Happiness.
- Good strength.
- Potency to produce offspring.
- Increased span of erection.
Eligibility for vajikarana
therapy.
1.
The
vajikarana therapy should be administered to persons who are between 18 to 70
years of age.
2.
These
therapies should be administered only to a self controlled person. If this
therapy is administered to a person who does not have self control, he becomes
nuisance to society through his illegitimate sex acts.
Psychotherapy
Decreasing anxiety
associated with intercourse, with psychologically based treatment helps to cure
ED. The patient's partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual
development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve
anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.
Same treatment is
illustrated in ayurveda. It has been said “A woman who understands a man and is
liked by him, along with erotic environment act as best aphrodisiac. “
Drug Therapy
Numerous herbal
preparations are mentioned in Ayurveda to treat ED or impotence. It has been
said that people who have strong sexual urge, who want to enjoy sex regularly
have to consume these preparations regularly to replenish the energy, vigor,
stamina and strength. These preparations also supply the nutrients which are
necessary for production of semen.
Ayurveda tips to overcome ED
1.
Consuming
herbal preparations to rejuvenate the reproductive organs.
2.
Massaging
the body with a herbal oil which gives a relief from physical exertion and also
acts as aphrodisiac.
3.
Practicing Yoga and
Meditation to overcome mental exertion and to cope up with stress.
4.
Sleep at least for 8
hours a day.
5.
Avoiding the
consumption of alcohol, tobacco, heroin etc.
6.
Exercise
regularly.
7.
Avoid hot, spicy and
bitter foods.
8.
Favor sweets, milk
products, nuts and urad dal.
9.
Add little ghee in your
diet.
Give a gap of four days
between two consecutive intercourses
Author: Dr.SavithaSuri ;
B.A.M.S ; Chief
Consultant physician
Dr. SavithaSuri
acquired a degree in ayurvedic medicine and surgery from Mysore University
through The Government college of Indian Medicine ,Mysore , India.She has
been practicing ayurvedic medicine since 14 years. She is the webmistress
and owner of http://www.ayurhelp.com/ , which has
been launched with the sole purpose of propagating benifits of Ayurveda.
Articles written by her related to topics such as health and medicine have
been published in various ezines and news papers. She is also a regular health
columnist in a popular news paper in Karnataka.
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