Ginseng and rigidity

This site deals with actual ginseng (Panax ginseng), not with Siberian "ginseng" or Malaysian "ginseng" (Tongkat ali, Eurycoma longifolia). Both Siberian and Malaysian "ginseng" are not, like Panax ginseng, members of the family Araliaceae (order Apiales), but unrelated plants. Both the Siberian and Malaysian varieties have only been named "ginseng" because of their alleged positive effects on health, and, in case of the Malaysian version, the herbals help for male sexual performance.

In Asia, ginseng has a great reputation as an aphrodisiac, though in recent years it has been overshadowed by the ever more popular tongkat ali (pasak bumi in Indonesia, where most of the herbal originates from). I myself have a hard time to judge ginseng. (See www.TestingTongkatAli.com for my take on that herbal.)

I have tried many different kinds of ginseng, mostly before phosphodiesterase inhibitors became available. It has never had an effect comparable to yohimbe or phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and I sometimes even wondered whether it has been counterproductive.

Asians who speak in defense of ginseng usually point out that one cannot use the root in the same manner as one would use phosphodiesterase inhibitors… swallow a pill some one to two hours before sex, and then be ready for action. Ginseng, so they say, has to be taken continuously.

I have tried that, too, and it did not result in any improvement of any sexual parameter.

So, are Asians different? Could it be that ginseng has an effect on Asian men who use it, but not on Caucasians? I have to say that I consider this unlikely.

Over the years during which I have tested alleged aphrodisiacs, I have become much more aware of the economic aspects of love drugs, compared to their physiological aspects.

To claim that a certain substance enhances sexual parameters is such a great line when one wants to drum up sales. Even if a certain substance actually hinders sexual expression, a claim that it makes sex better is enough to at least sell a bottle or two to all those men who will give anything a try, as long as the salesman insists that it helps for this particular purpose.

I have found almost no modern scientific evidence that ginseng does anything for sexual enhancement. Actually, I only know of one study that supports pro-sexual claims. The study was conducted in the year 1995 at the Severance Institute of Andrology Research, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, by HK Choi, DH Seong, and KH Rha. In their abstract, they wrote:

"To investigate the efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction and to develop a natural drug without complications, the results of ginseng treatments are compared to placebo and other drug. A total of 90 patients with 30 patients in each group were closely followed. Changes in symptoms such as frequency of intercourse, premature ejaculation, and morning erections after treatment were not changed in all three groups (p > 0.05). However in the group receiving ginseng, changes in early detumescence and erectile parameters such as penile rigidity and girth, libido and patient satisfactions were significantly higher than that of other groups (p < 0.05). The overall therapeutic efficacies on erectile dysfunction were 60% for ginseng group and 30% for placebo and trazodone treated groups, statistically confirming the effect of ginseng (p < 0.05). No complete remission of erectile dysfunction was noted, but partial responses were reported. No cases of aggravation of symptoms were reported. AVS-penogram, which is a recording of penile hemodynamic changes during the natural erection after audiovisual erotic stimulation, is not changed after administration of ginseng. However if administered for a prolonged period of time, the cumulative effect on vascular flow might be seen. The administration of Korean red ginseng has shown to have superior effects compared to the placebo or trazodone. Definitely more researches are required to elucidate the mechanism of ginseng. The effects of saponin, extracted from ginseng, on smooth muscle of erectile tissues, can be evaluated using organ chamber or nitric oxide titration, thereby pinpointing the exact action mechanism of saponin. As more informations are available, possible breakthrough in treatment of erectile dysfunction could be arisen from active saponin extracted from red ginseng, bringing hopes to many sufferers of erectile dysfunction."

I would have more confidence into the findings of the study if it were conducted outside of Korea. After all, ginseng is a matter of national pride in that country, and Koreans, on average, are very nationalistic, indeed. Apart from being a matter of national pride, ginseng also is an expensive and profitable export product.

As the authors noted, major parameters "were not changed in all three groups [ginseng, trazodone, placebo]".

It’s also easy to compete against trazodone. They should have used yohimbine for comparison, and if such a study would be done today, ginseng would have to be measured against phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

At any rate, a single study is weak evidence for anything. Those who regularly read scientific articles, or their abstracts, will be aware that, typically, if you have a number of studies, you will always find some supporting a certain claim, and others that contradict such findings. For example, I know of many studies that claim that (moderately) increased testosterone levels carry a high risk of prostate cancer, and I know just about as many studies that came to the conclusion that actually, such increased testosterone levels protect from prostate cancer.

My advice on ginseng: you can try it (as it is said to have other health benefits), but don’t expect much in the way of improved sex.

Alternatively, I suggest you try phosphodiesterase inhibitors (www.sildenafil.net) for erections, bromocriptine (www.bromocriptine.com) or cabergoline (www.cabergoline.net) for sexual excitement and orgasm, and tongkat ali (www.TestingTongkatAli.com) for a testosterone-driven libido boost.