Erectile
Dysfunction (ED)
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) occurs when a male can no longer get or keep an erection firm enough
for sexual intercourse.
Signs and Symptoms
Inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the result of a problem with one or more of the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves,
muscles or blood vessels. There are many physical causes for ED including heart disease, hypertension
and diabetes.
Risk factors for ED include increasing age, being overweight or obese, heavy tobacco use, certain
conventional medications, and recreational drug abuse.
Tibb View of Erectile Dysfunction
According to Tibb, ED is associated either with qualities of
moistness with cold or heat with dryness. Moist & Cold
imbalance typically exists in older men or in obese or diabetic
patients. In these their metabolism slows down and moistness
accumulates. Hot & Dry imbalance is often present in men who
suffer from performance anxiety, stress and who abuse alcohol.
Moist & Cold ED is linked to individuals with phlegmatic
dominant/sub-dominant temperament, as they have innate
qualities of coldness and moistness. Individuals with a bilious dominant/sub-dominant temperament are
more inclined to develop ED linked to qualities of heat with dryness.
Management of ED
Treatment and management is aimed at reducing the excess qualities associated with ED, by
implementing Tibb Lifestyle Factors that will either increase the qualities of heat and dryness in cases
of ED which are linked to excess moistness with coldness, or increase the coldness and moistness
in cases of ED which are linked to excess heat with dryness.
Tibb Lifestyle Factors
Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Qualities of Moistness with Cold:
Food and Drink
Food and Drink
- Eat mostly Hot & Dry foods - such as bittergourd, avocado, eggs and cinnamon, followed by
Cold & Dry foods - like beef, tomatoes, lemon and beans.
- Eat less of Hot & Moist foods - such as bread, pastas and be least amount of Cold & Moist foods
- like milk, butter, and rice.
- Avoid foods which promote fatty deposits in the reproductive organs. Cut down on saturated fats,
especially saturated ones.
Other Lifestyle Advice
- Exercise – A weight training programme will reduce the chance of ED, restore self-esteem, and
probably diminish performance anxiety. Regular physical exercise, such as 30min moderate physical
exercise at least three times per week, will also help
Herbal Remedy
- Mix a small fresh egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of honey, and 1 teaspoon each of fresh ginger juice and
onion juice. Take twice a day
Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Qualities of Heat with Dryness:
Food and Drink
Food and Drink
- Eat mostly Cold & Moist foods - such as broccoli, cucumber, watermelon and milk, followed by
Cold & Dry foods - like oranges, yogurt and coconut oil.
- Eat less of Hot & Moist foods - such as mutton, ginger, cheese and sugar, and the least amount
of Hot & Dry foods - like alcohol, egg, walnuts and alcohol.
Other Lifestyle Advice
- Breathing. ED may respond to practicing deep breathing exercises, as this is known to counteract
stress.
- Cutting down or stopping smoking, as nicotine lowers sexual desire
- Emotional support. The person affected should learn to relax, as ED often arises from performance
anxiety.
Herbal Remedies
- 2 teaspoons of poppy seeds, 2 cardamom pods, and 10 almonds. Soak overnight in 100ml of water,
liquidise in 150ml of boiled milk and add 2 teaspoons of sugar. Strain and drink twice daily on an
empty stomach.
- Consume watermelon regularly, as it contains agents which boost blood flow to several body organs.
