Normal function of the male genitourinary tract is essential to the overall health of a man's body. Because this system is susceptible to a number of conditions and disorders, special attention must be paid to its health in order to maintain healthy sexual function, proper elimination, and general vitality.

Men's health issues are just beginning to be seen as important and women's health which is more well publicized. Statistically, men experience higher rates of heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disorders, liver diseases, and diabetes than women. These conditions are not unique to men. Therefore, when a person thinks of men's health, the focus is primarily on disorders of their genitourinary organs.

The health of the genitourinary organs reflects a man's overall well-being, according to Dana Ullman, M.P.H Director of Homeopathic Educational Services, in Berkley, California. Individual sexual habits can also influence a person's state of health, just as the health of the body and the reproductive system can be a determining factor for sexual habits and sexual drive. The most common men's health concerns include impotance, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Increases in the number of times man has to urinate (especially at night), are among some of the early signs of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In addition, a reduction in the force and caliber of urination is also characteristics of prostatic enlargement. Most physicians consider this to be a normal consequence of aging. About 50% of all men by the age 60 and up to 80% past age 70 are due to enlarged prostate.

The growth of prostate tissue that results in BPH occurs due to the hormone testoterone, which is produced by the testicles and the adrenal glands, according Dr. Kruzel. As a person ages, the conversion of testosterone to its more active form of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) becomes greater.

Conventional Western medicine tends to view all genitourinary disorders as conditions that can be treated solely with medication, surgery, or medical devices. Alternative physicians look at the underlying causes, whether physical or mental, internal or external. Some of the alternative modalities most often used in the treatment of men's health issues include diet and nutrition, herbal supplements, homeopathy, natural hormone theraphy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine.


Herbal medicine can offer many of the same therapeutic benefits for treatment of genitourinary tract disorders as drug therapy, without any of the potentially severe side effects.


Corynantle yohimbe and Ginkgo biloba are often used for the treatment of impotence due to their ability to stimulate vascular flow to the penis. Yohimbe has also been shown to increase libido and decrease the latency period between ejaculations, as well as have a positive effect on impotence problems due to depression. Several studies have confirmed the beneficial action of ginkgo, including one in which a Ginkgo biloba extract was found to increase penile blood flow in a group of patients who had not responded to traditional drug therapy; half the group regained potency within six months.

True unicorn root (Aletris farinose) has been reported to be an excellent herb for impotence in men and has been used to promote fertility in both men and women. Also, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) works well for impotence, especially if included with other medicines.

Additionally Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is widely believed to have aphrodisiac properties for which it has been prized over the centuries. Known as adaptogen, it affects whichever system of the body may be in need of support.


Saw palmetto berries contain about 15% saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and sterols that have been found to reduce prostate swelling, stimulate immune function, and prevent the conversion of testosterone to its more potent DHT form. When used in clinical trials, saw palmetto has been shown to result in a significant decrease in prostate size and relief of symptoms.

Dietary factors can also influence a man's hormone levels. The minerals zinc, copper, and selenium are necessary for normal hormone production in men. Selenium, in addition to being required for testosterone production, helps protect the male sex glands against free radicals and heavy metals. If these minerals are lacking in the diet, hormone imbalances may occur.


Unique balance of pure Chinese herbs is proven to give a man sexual performance a boost. The combination of Chinese yam, the fruit of Chinese wolfberry, licorice root, Job's-tears, gorgon fruit and lily in the well-known product "Satibo" is lately claimed to be the best libido booster on the market.


The wolfberry fruits are rich in many healthy components, including 18 kinds of amino acids, 21 minerals, 29 kinds of fatty acids, pro-vitamin A (as much as in carrots), vitamin C (as much as in the oranges), vitamin B, especially rich in niacin, betatin, polysacharids, and etc.

In the recent years, many Chinese and Western scientists report that wolfberry has the function to reinforce the immune system of the body, to overcome fatigue, improve vision, strengthen the liver, decrease the blood sugar, regulate the blood pressure, prevent and treat cancer and tumor formations, regulate the hard alcohol in gall bladder.


Folklore throughout South America strongly supports muira puama's stimulating properties. It is commonly referred to not only as an aphrodisiac but also as a nerve stimulant that is said to heighten the receptiveness to sexual stimuli, and according to Steven C. Hollifield, in The Healing Forest, muira puama is a preventive of baldness. Traditional healers use all parts of the tree for food and medicine, but focus primarily on the bark and roots to make a tea taken to treat rheumatism, strengthen the heart, and promote intestinal health. It has been widely used in Europe and South America for hundreds of years and was listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for impotence.

Muira puama seems to have two effects: increasing libido and increasing penile hardness. Muira puama is rich in naturally occurring sterols, which are possible building blocks for hormones such as testosterone. Also present are numerous other chemicals and volatile oils like camphor, which help restore the sex drive and inner depth of libido. The second effect, penile hardness may stem from its apparent effect on circulation.

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