Herbs for Men's Health
As men age, maintaining good health becomes increasingly important for a fulfilling an active lifestyle. Factors such as stress, anxiety, hair loss, and prostate issues can impact men's physical and mental well-being.
Herbs can play an important role in preventing and supporting men’s health issues. Some of our favorite herbs for men's health include:
Herbs for Energy
Energy is an essential aspect of overall health and vitality, and it is no surprise that many men struggle with low energy levels due to various factors such as stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle choices.
While there are various ways to boost energy levels, such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and engaging in physical activity, herbs can also play a significant role in enhancing energy levels. Certain herbs have been traditionally used for their energizing properties and their effectiveness in increasing stamina, focus, and endurance
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Ginseng has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as an adaptogen to improve energy levels and combat fatigue. Ginseng root contains active compounds called ginsenosides, which are believed to stimulate the central nervous system and enhance physical and mental performance.
Ginseng can also help regulate cortisol levels, which is a hormone that plays a role in stress and fatigue.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
Maca is a root vegetable native to the Andes mountains in Peru and has been used for its energy-boosting properties for thousands of years. Maca is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help improve overall health and wellness. Additionally, maca contains unique compounds called macamides and macaenes, which have been shown to enhance physical performance and reduce fatigue.
Research has demonstrated that maca supplementation can improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increase energy levels in athletes. Maca may also help regulate hormone levels, which can help alleviate symptoms of low testosterone and improve sexual function in men.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Rhodiola grows in high-altitude regions of Europe and Asia and has been traditionally used to combat stress and fatigue. Rhodiola contains active compounds called rosavins and salidrosides, which have been shown to enhance physical and mental performance and reduce fatigue.
Research has demonstrated that rhodiola supplementation can improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increase alertness and cognitive function. Rhodiola may also help regulate cortisol levels and reduce inflammation, which can contribute to fatigue and other health issues.
Herbs for Prostate Health
The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder in men that plays a vital role in reproductive health. As men age, the prostate gland can become enlarged and may cause various urinary issues, such as difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, and frequent urination.
The prostate is also susceptible to various health conditions, such as prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate, and prostate cancer, which is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. While conventional medical treatments are available for these conditions, many men are turning to herbal remedies to support prostate health and alleviate symptoms.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens syn.)
Saw palmetto is a palm tree native to the southeastern United States and has been traditionally used for its potential benefits for prostate health.
Its berries contain active compounds called fatty acids and phytosterols, which are believed to help reduce prostate inflammation and alleviate urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Supplementation may help improve urinary flow, frequent nighttime urination, and the overall quality of life in men with BPH.
Saw palmetto may also have anti-androgenic effects, which means it can help reduce the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to prostate enlargement.
Nettle Root (Urtica dioica)
Nettle root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its potential benefits for urinary and prostate health. This herbal ally contains various bioactive compounds such as lignans, flavonoids, and phytosterols, which may help reduce prostate inflammation and alleviate urinary symptoms associated with BPH.
Nettle root may help improve urinary flow, reduce nocturia, and improve the overall quality of life in men with BPH. Nettle root may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help protect prostate cells from damage caused by free radicals and reduce inflammation in the prostate gland.
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Green tea contains various bioactive compounds, such as catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
Studies have suggested that green tea consumption may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and alleviate symptoms associated with BPH. Green tea may also help regulate hormone levels, which can contribute to prostate health
Herbs for Libido
Libido, or sexual desire, is an important aspect of human sexuality and can be influenced by various factors such as age, stress, hormonal imbalances, and health conditions. While a decrease in libido can be a natural part of aging, many people, particularly men, may experience a decline in libido due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and chronic stress. While conventional treatments such as medications and counseling are available for low libido, many people are turning to natural remedies, including herbs, to help boost their sexual desire and improve sexual function.
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.)
Horny goat weed, also known as Epimedium, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for its potential aphrodisiac properties.
As an aphrodisiac herb, horny goat weed may help balance hormones and increase sexual performance; horny goat weed is known as a “natural viagra” throughout the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community. This herbal ally is most commonly used to help men experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED).
How does ED happen? An erection happens when nitric oxide signals interact with cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), a chemical in the body that allows the smooth muscle in the penis to relax, therefore allowing blood to flow and create an erection.
Erectile dysfunction happens when an enzyme, PDE5 (protein phosphodiesterase type 5), interferes with nitric oxide and cGMP, blocking blood flow.
So, how does horny goat weed work? Horny goat weed is composed of many constituents, one of them being icariin, responsible for inhibiting or blocking the enzyme PDE5, boosting nitric oxide, and increasing blood flow.
Horny goat weed has been used in both human and animal clinical trials. The constituent icariin is often isolated and studied for its positive effect on men’s sexual health.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Damiana is a shrub native to Mexico, traditionally used for its potential aphrodisiac properties. Damiana contains various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and terpenes, which have been shown to have potential benefits for sexual health. This herbal ally may help improve sexual desire, reduce anxiety and stress related to sexual performance, and improve overall sexual function in men.
Damiana may have potential hormone-regulating effects, which can help improve libido and sexual function.
Milky oats (Avena sativa)
Milky oats are the unripe seed heads of the oat plant; they contain various bioactive compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, and minerals, which may help improve sexual function in men in cases of exhaustion-related sexual dysfunction. This herbal ally has potential hormone-regulating effects, which can help improve libido and sexual function. Milky oats are also believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and anxiety related to sexual performance.
Herbs for Hair Loss
Hair loss, particularly male pattern baldness, is a common concern for many men. While genetics and age play a significant role in hair loss, various lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, stress, and hormonal imbalances, can also contribute to hair loss. Some herbs contain compounds that can help promote hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp, reducing inflammation, and balancing hormones. I
Horsetail (Equisetum)
Horsetail contains high levels of silica, a mineral that is essential for collagen production, which promotes healthy hair growth. This herb contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation, which can lead to hair loss. Studies have shown that horsetail supplements can improve hair thickness, growth, and density in men with androgenic alopecia, a common type of hair loss.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries for its potential hair growth benefits. Rosemary oil contains carnosic acid and ursolic acid, compounds that promote hair thickness and stimulate hair growth.
Rosemary oil can also increase blood circulation in the scalp, allowing nutrients and oxygen to reach hair follicles, which can enhance hair growth.
According to a 2013 study conducted on mice with hair loss caused by testosterone, rosemary oil may have the potential to promote hair regrowth. The study found that rosemary oil showed some effectiveness in preventing DHT, a hormone responsible for hair loss, from binding to hormone receptors in the hair follicles. Although the study results are not conclusive, rosemary oil may have a beneficial effect on hair loss in men.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens syn.)
Saw palmetto berries, an herb traditionally used for prostate health, has recently gained attention for its potential benefits in reducing hair loss.
Saw palmetto contains compounds like phytosterols and fatty acids that can decrease the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair loss in men with androgenic alopecia. Saw palmetto may also reduce scalp inflammation, improving hair health. A study of men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia, saw palmetto supplements improved hair density and overall hair growth.
Herbs for Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on men's health. Men who experience chronic stress and anxiety are more likely to develop various physical and mental health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and sleep disorders. Prolonged stress can also weaken the immune system, making men more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to help the body cope with stress and anxiety. Its active compounds regulate cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for the body's stress response.
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Hops are commonly used in beer production, but they are also a natural remedy for stress and anxiety. Hops contain compounds like xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin, which have sedative and anxiolytic effects. These compounds can increase GABA activity, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety and stress levels in the brain. Hops may also improve sleep quality and duration, reducing stress and anxiety levels in men.
Walnuts
Walnuts are a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate the body's stress response. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to increased stress and anxiety levels in adults. Walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in adults. Additionally, walnuts are a kidney yang tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, meaning they have a warming effect on the body and can help balance the body's energy levels.