Herbal Viagra
Herbal Viagra is any treatment that claims to help with erectile dysfunction (ED) and does not contain recognised medication. There are not enough studies to prove the effectiveness of any herbal Viagra treatments and some could have unwanted side effects. The best way to treat erectile dysfunction is with a prescription for a medication a doctor has made sure is suitable for you.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Clair GraingerLast reviewed: 23 Feb 2024
What is Herbal Viagra?
Herbal Viagra is a name given to “natural” erectile dysfunction treatment as an alternative to Viagra. And while there are no approved or officially recognised herbal Viagra treatments, some people search for them because they do not trust prescription medication or would rather try natural methods. You can get herbal Viagra without seeing a GP, as it does not contain medication.
What Natural Alternatives to Viagra Are There?
The most common natural alternatives to viagra are:
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid that can help your body to make essential proteins. It can be found in foods or as a supplement. It is thought to relax blood vessels, which can help improve blood flow to your penis.
Studies on arginine have been carried out to see its effects on erectile dysfunction, but most of these contained only a small number of men and are considered pilot research. This means there is not enough evidence to prove the effectiveness of arginine for erectile dysfunction.
Korean Red Ginseng
Korean Red Ginseng is a herbal supplement that claims to enhance sexual function, so it is sold as a herbal Viagra treatment. Studies into Korean Red Ginseng are limited, making it difficult to draw a proper conclusion.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed is a herb that may affect the enzymes that restrict blood flow to your penis, which can help with erectile dysfunction. There are few studies on this drug's effect on men with erectile dysfunction.
Yohimbine
Yohimbine is a herbal supplement taken from the tree bark of an evergreen found in Africa. There have been no studies that definitively prove whether this supplement can help with erectile dysfunction and one study found that yohimbine had negative side effects, such as anxiety, hallucinations, and mood changes.
Jia Yi Jian
This herbal Viagra treatment is an unlicensed treatment for erectile dysfunction and has been proven to not be natural at all. In 2009, the UK government released a statement warning people against its use, as it contains ingredients that should only be prescribed to you.
Vigorine
Vigorine is the name given to a tablet containing l-citrulline, which is a supplement that claims to improve erections in men who have mild erectile dysfunction. The few scientific studies that have been carried out show that it might help, but it is less effective than Viagra. These studies were very small and not enough to prove its effectiveness.
Maca
Maca is a plant that claims to help men with erectile dysfunction symptoms. The reason why is not known. One study found that maca has more adverse (negative) effects, such as mood changes and hallucinations.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid that can be found in food and supplements, like Arginine. It is believed to help reduce stress, so could help with erectile dysfunction if that’s causing it. However, this treatment has not been fully tested..
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that is thought to boost libido (urge to have sex) but little is known about its effects. There is no convincing scientific evidence proving this or showing how it can treat erectile dysfunction.
Saffron
Saffron is a common spice that can be found in the kitchen. Claims have been made that saffron can improve ‘sexual dysfunction, but studies are limited and not conclusive.
Does Herbal Viagra Work?
Many types of Herbal Viagra claim to help with erectile dysfunction, but there is little to no evidence to prove this. And although research has been done into some natural methods, there are no conclusive studies to prove that herbal Viagra works. On the other hand, prescription Viagra has been proven to work for 74% of men at a 50mg dose.
Is Herbal Viagra Safe?
Many herbal remedies are safe but you should always speak to a doctor before taking herbal Viagra, especially if you take other medications or have certain medical conditions. Sometimes herbal alternatives can have unforeseen interactions, have no effect or make your erectile dysfunction worse.
Where Can I Get Erectile Dysfunction Treatment?
If you want to find erectile dysfunction treatments that have been proven to work you can order erectile dysfunction treatment through Superdrug Online Doctor. Our doctors will make sure that your chosen treatment is suitable before prescribing it.
We have a range of tablets that are effective at treating erectile dysfunction, including Viagra, Viagra Connect, and sildenafil. These contain the active ingredient sildenafil, which is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It works by improving blood flow to your penis, so you can get and keep an erection when you have sex.
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Sources
- About sildenafil (Viagra) (2022) NHS (accessed 15 April 2022)
- Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) on sexual dysfunction among men and women: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2019) PubMed (accessed 15 April 2022)
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence) (2020) NHS (accessed 15 April 2022)
- l-arginine and Erectile Dysfunction (2019) Journal of Psychosexual Health (accessed 15 April 2022)
- Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review (2008) PubMed (accessed 15 April 2022)
- Sexual enhancement products for sale online: raising awareness of the psychoactive effects of yohimbine, maca, horny goat weed, and Ginkgo biloba (2014) PubMed (accessed 15 April 2022)
- Sildenafil 100mg film-coated tablets (2021) EMC (accessed 15 April 2022)