Comedian George Burns said something that rings true…
Unfortunately, this is true for many people that aren’t yet 90. Whether you call it impotence or erectile dysfunction it is a problem for most men at some point in their life.
Is there something you can do about it?
YES!
If you need to turn your rope into a hard piece of wood, there are a few things you can do.
First of all, there is our Thor’s Hammer Formula, but you can get a number of other herbs that can help in this regard. As discussed with Dr. William Wong, there appear to be four main factors in turning rope to wood. Below, I’ve added an additional fifth one to that discussion.
Buy Thor’s Hammer Sexual Potency Formula Now
Buy Thor’s Hammer Sexual Potency Capsules Now
1 – Testosterone
Libido is one of the many functions of testosterone. There’s a little bit of a trick that nature seems to play on us. Often times, you might not have enough T to “get it up,” though the desire might still be there.
Although testosterone naturally declines with age, there are lots of things that you can do to restore it towards optimal and youthful levels. These include steps like diet, working out, sleep, having sex and much more. Be sure to check out this article on Men’s Hormone Health for more details, including the related hormones, enzymes and other factors at play.
Our two most popular herbs in this regard are Pine Pollen and Tongkat Ali. Though they work through different mechanisms both herbs help to give you better testosterone levels and help in sexual function in some other ways as well.
It was with pine pollen that we first noticed the morning wood effect. And if it’s happening more and better then that means it’s likely to work better at other times as well.
2 – Dopamine
Another aspect of libido appears to be the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine has a lot to do with desire, sexual and otherwise.
Dr. William Wong told an amazing story of Parkinson’s patients, at 60 and 70 years old, having sex like rabbits. This was because Parkinson’s has been treated with a drug called L-DOPA to restore dopamine levels.
The good news is there is a natural herb for this too. Mucuna is rich in L-dopa, the precursor to dopamine. For this reason, it appears to be great for getting your dopamine levels functioning better (and in a moment you’ll find out a couple reasons they can be disturbed from modern-day living).
Whether it is through this dopamine-precursor or through another mechanism, Mucuna pruriens has been shown to support both testosterone and growth hormone levels. This is a very exciting herb.
Many natural foods can also support dopamine. Precursors to L-dopa include the amino acids L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine. So a good supply of these, which you can get from many foods, also will help support dopamine.
L-Phenylalanine → L-Tyrosine → L-DOPA → Dopamine
So why might your dopamine be disturbed? Dopamine is triggered to help you have a drive towards something. Once you get that something, dopamine is released. From hearing the ‘ding’ on your phone with social media, or with specially designed games meant to trigger dopamine addiction, this once helpful neurotransmitter can be hijacked to not work correctly.
One of the worst pieces of this problem in regards to our current issue is what is called Porn-Induced ED. With the simple access to porn of any and every type readily available with a click of a button online you can live out your fantasies even several times a day. And clicking from one video to another just to release a little more dopamine and get more excited further fuels this.
As bigger and bigger surges of dopamine get released in this way, your body and brain become resistant to its normal levels.
Eventually, you may get to a point where you can’t get it up without that same porn. Even “normal” sex may not be exciting enough. You’ll need to wean yourself off or go cold turkey in order to help get your dopamine-release around sex back in order.
Lots more could be said on this issue, but I just wanted to introduce it to you, in case it happens to be a problem for you.
3 – Nitric Oxide
So we’ve talked about hormones and neurotransmitters. Next, we move onto blood flow for our next to components.
Here’s a quick anatomy lesson. In order for the penis to become erect the spongy tissue in it, called the Corpus Cavernosum, must relax. Yes, that says relax which may seem counter-intuitive at first, as things appear to be anything but relaxed in that moment. This relaxation is triggered by nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium of the blood vessels, which then allows blood to flow into the penis. Voila, you have an erection.
NO is important in more than just erections too. It acts as a vasodilator and thus plays a major role in exercise as well as general cardiovascular health.
One of the often used ways to support NO production is the amino acid L-arginine. This amino acid is a precursor to NO so many people take 2-10 grams before sex.
Herbs can also support NO. Cistanche is a likely candidate. Although there isn’t too much science to back it up, I’m sure it would be if studied. Historically, it’s always been used in sexual formulas and is said to direct blood flow to the genital area.
Some other foods and herbs that can support this function are garlic, cayenne, cacao, ginseng, pomegranates, Beets, amalaki, green leafy vegetables and Horny Goat Weed (which will be talked about more in the next factor).
4 – PDE5
NO is a gaseous molecule that only has a short half-life. What that means is that it can go away quickly. This may be responsible when you have no problems getting hard but then go limb.
PDE5 means phosphodiesterase type 5. We might not even know about this enzyme except for an accident with a drug. Sildenafil citrate was being investigated as a heart medication when they noticed a peculiar side effect. The men had raging boners! And thus, Viagra® was born and changed the face of medicine making significant amounts of money.
This drug and many of the others are classed as PDE5 inhibitors. Inhibiting this enzyme is useful as it primarily is used in the breakdown of factors, derived from NO, which keeps your erection.
The physiological details of how this works with PDE 5 and the NO-cGMP pathway is fairly complex which you can read more about here if you want to: The role of nitric oxide in erectile dysfunction: implications for medical therapy.
Although ED drugs are often thought of as a cure-all, they only work on this one mechanism and thus don’t work for everyone. As a drug, they also come with a list of side effects.
Horny Goat Weed, also know, as Epimedium, in addition to raising NO levels, has an “active” constituent called icariin which also acts as a PDE5 inhibitor.
Other herbs that are thought to be PDE5 inhibitors include Xanthoparmelia Powder. Cuscuta chinensis, and others.
It’s important to note that these natural herbs, unless the “active ingredient” is isolated and used in massive levels, they do not have the same powerful effects as drugs do.
Coming from that frame of mind, many people seem to expect too much right away. This should be strongly warned against.
5 – Psychological
In addition to these four physiological reasons for impotence, we also have to talk about the psychological.
For any man that has ever had things not work, perhaps based on one of the above factors, this can then set up a horrible loop where you have anxiety and worry about it not working. This surely then makes it harder for things to work.
There are lots of reasons your thinking can get in the way here that are beyond the scope of this article.
The good news is that supporting physiological function with herbs or other changes can often than help with the psychological too.
And we can’t discount the placebo effect either. If you think something might help, that can do a lot to relieve any mental pressure, and then things DO work better.
There’s also something to be said for the body’s wisdom. If things aren’t working, that can indicate too much stress in your life, lack of health in the many ways listed above, as well as relationship issues.
Special Note to Women
These factors matter for you just as much! Testosterone is a critical component in libido for women too, although progesterone and estrogen also play their role. Dopamine matters for you too.
And although it isn’t as well known, women have erectile tissue as well. For more detail, you can read Women’s Anatomy of Arousal.
Thus, NO and PDE5 will matter for you too, so the same practices and herbs can support your sexuality as well. And of course there are some women specific things to do, but that’s a topic for another time.
Putting this into Action
So, if you’re suffering from any signs of impotence what should you do?
The best bet is to try to identify the main component behind it. Is it one of the five reasons listed above? Is it a combination of them?
Try tweaking your lifestyle, and take herbs, to support that function. Notice if things get better or not. If they don’t, try something else.
Here’s a helpful guide on where you might want to start. As I said, it could be a combination of several factors.
Testosterone – Are you 50 or older? Do you see other signs of insufficient testosterone like losing strength, depression, fatigue or many more possible signs? Do you not wake up with morning wood?
You can also do blood or saliva testing for testosterone, though as mentioned here, it’s very beneficial to look at other related hormones too.
Dopamine – Be honest here. Are you watching porn regularly? Are you doing anything else that could be over-triggering dopamine, which could get in the way of your desire?
On the flip side, something you do want to see; when it comes time for sex do you get so exciting you’re almost shaking with it?
Nitric Oxide – Are you over 40? Can you not get hard in the first place? Do you not get frequent morning wood? Are you generally out of shape with a poor diet?
PDE5 – Do you get erections but they disappear? Do you have morning wood but it doesn’t last very long after you wake up?
Psychological – Do you worry about having erectile problems before or during sex?
- Increasing Androgen Receptor Number and Capacity - April 19, 2024
- Yang, Qi, Mitochondria and Chronic Fatigue - March 27, 2024
- Eczema: A Natural Approach to Soothing Your Skin - March 10, 2024
Barry says
Hi there,
In an earlier post on this article someone raised the question of cycling herbs to avoid resistance as recommended by another person in the industry who’s articles I’ve also read. You said you have a different view. I’ve wondered about this question also. When researching efficacy of certain herbs you often read of people saying they took a herb and to start with it worked miracles but the impact diminished over time. You rarely find comments posted where people have taken herbs long term and they still say they are getting the same benefits as they did when they started taking them. Most comments seem to be posted in the rush of the first few weeks of using something . From your guys personal experience over time do you find consistent benefits without cycling?
Logan Christopher says
Just put up a long article on the topic of cycling: https://lostempireherbs.com/cycling-pine-pollen-tincture-tongkat-ali-and-other-herbs/
To answer your question, it really depends on which herb you’re talking about and which benefits are being sought.
I can tell you I’ve been using herbs for about a decade now. None have I taken every day over that time span, but lots of different herbs for different periods of time. I feel amazing and my blood testing pretty much backs that up.
Evan Dallas says
I purchased the Cistanche, Arginine and He Shou Wu. I had a bad infection the past year and it completely wiped out my reserves. I was put on testosterone but still can’t get a strong erection. I’m 29 and in shape.
Do you suggest titrating the Castanche and He Shou Wu up slowly or just starting with the full dose mixed together? Take it with or without food? Thanks for the information.
Logan Christopher says
I’d say start with the minimum recommended dose on each, but taken together. Do that a few times then move up to the max full dose together. Either way with or without food is good.
John says
What combination of herbs do you recommend for e d?
Logan Christopher says
Did you not read this article?
Jeff Hastings says
Which is the most potent and effective form of Shilijit? The resin or the powder? Would like to know before placing order, thank you.
anthony screen says
on November 13, 2017 had prostate removed what herbs do you recommend for rehabilitation for erectile dysfunction
Zane Christopher says
Highly recommend researching tongkat ali as I believe they did some studies on rats that had their prostates removed and actually saw some benefit from its use.
gr218tims says
Hello, NO & PDE5 are supposed to be key for healthy erections. You also underline, that herbs do not work “immediately” (it is not a medicine like e.g. viagra). So should one not take also Thor’s Hammer then regularly (like I do already with pine pollen and Tongkat)?? You suggest, however, to use it ‘only’ half an hour before intercourse (dictated by the cost per serving and may be also for biological reasons?).
Thus for older males, like me (living alone and having infrequent sex), Tor’s Hammer will not be very effective?? For your info I am a healthy, professionally and physically active 80-years old, but in need for some help from nature. In other words, my friend, what is best for me??? Regards, Armando (Switzerland)
Zane Christopher says
Thor’s Hammer has certain herbs in it that will help “immediately” before action but yes, it is best to use all herbs more frequently as this can help bring the body to balance. Many people use Thor’s Hammer on a regular basis for working out because herbs never just work for one thing. TH was made to be a formula that can, however, be used just once to see some results. I have used it many times before sex and definitely know that it helps though I am not using it to get erections (as I do not have that issue, TG) but just to perform better then I do normally.
Personally, I believe those that focus on downstairs instead of taking a holistic approach to their health and fitness tend not to get the benefits as much that they seek from the herbs. You can take Thor’s regularly to get the effect but you could also take something like Hercules, which has some of the same herbs, to help your workouts and more, or Phoenix Formula which isn’t as yang as TH, which makes it more ideal for daily use.
I would also highly suggest looking into adaptogenic herbs like those in Spartan Formula as stress can be a sex killer and the body naturally loses its ability to bounce back from stress as we age. Adaptogens are something that many people overlook when trying to work with their sex lives.
Personally, I use Cistanche to great effect in my life for increasing blood circulation every day and don’t use the formulas as much as piecing together my own herbal repertoire, expensive as this is even for me. Let me know if you have any other questions as my answer seems a bit vague to me. ;)
aloyal69 says
Jr. Ibeen reading your post, i am 52 with no morning wood. I have the desire ,but my wood dont reavt. I have be watch porn for years, just started to cut it out. Can you tell what will help me?
Logan Christopher says
1. You can try many of the herbs listed in this article.
2. Having blood work done can help to isolate some of the issues (such as low T, or cardiovascular issues).
3. Getting healthier in general can help. Being out of shape tends to correlate with these issues too.
Patrick says
I got the 3 tinctures and it took a week or so
Before I started get morning erections but
Now it’s almost everyday thing. I also have been going to YMCA a lot and increased
My blood pressure meds and eating healthy.For me I think it was
The combination of all this. At 62 I can see and feel a big difference. Losing 50 pounds
Has been hard but I’m very happy with where am at now and I’m going to continue to use
The 3 – nettle root-pine pollen and -ashwagandha tinctures
Thanks
Logan Christopher says
Great to hear Patrick.
Anthon says
Awesone my friend. How much of each tincture do you take ? Do you take it with food on an empty stomach? How many times per day? Do you mix it with any other drink hot cold. Thanks . Tony D
Paul Smith says
I have a question, instead of a comment
I started taking NUGENIX, somewhere around late 2013, early in 2014 I started having
lots of Mini Strokes (Verified by EECG} I am very reluctant to try anything else because of the strokes, and I am curious if I use your product, or anybody elses product, What is the apparent risk factor, for having a Stroke?
Zane Christopher says
Depends on which herb you are using. I would say with herbs there is a 0.01% chance of stroke because you can never know for certain but we have never heard of anyone directly linking a stroke to herbal uses. If a herb has a similar effect to NUGENIX then that herb MAY have the potential to do so though it is would be far less likely simply because it is not as strong in its effects as drugs nor is it a pure isolate, having cofactors that help support utilization and potency of the herb in the body.
The Toad says
You really didn’t provide much information here. What’s your age? What _kind_ of stroke did you have? There are two main kinds: ischemic (blockage) and hemorrhagic (bleeding). While I agree with Zane that herbs are unlikely as cause of this kind of issue, I do wonder if there is anything you might be able to do to improve your situation.
For example — aspirin would be a good idea to take if you had an ischemic issue, but would be a terrible idea if you have a hemorrhagic problem. I also recognize that your doctor probably provided some kind of prescription based on what kind of stroke you had too — for example, Warfarin (coumadin) and Eliquis (apixaban) are common scripts for ischemic issues.
Risk factors for stroke read like the byproducts of “modern lifestyle”: high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation EXCEPT for tobacco smoking, which is actually the #2 cause. Smoking 1 cigarette per day increases stroke risk by more than 30%; conversely, high levels of physical activity reduce stroke risk by 26%. Interesting isn’t it that the good is weaker than the bad (life ain’t fare). There are other things you can do: Mediterranean diet (can great reduce risk — possibly by >50%), get your blood sugar under control (10% of the population has some form of diabetes), get your cholesterol under control. Those kinds of things will help.
Derek says
Hi Logan,
Excellent article and kudos for creating it.
You are missing the fifth main contributor to getting real solid wood, prior of course to psychological and that is Sexual arousal by means of cerebral function. I am not talking about dopamine or quite the psychological aspect, which you have mentioned but the stimulation of a set of neuro transmitters that are responsible for and associated with both men and women being in a state of sexual arousal – the Cholinergic group of neurotransmitters.
Thankfully, Thors Hammer with its Horny goat weed content can help men who have a difficulty in getting aroused mentally as the herb blocks another enzyme in addition to the PE 5, the AChE (Acetylcholinesterase) enzyme which raises levels of the cholinergic neurotransmitters which helps us to become sexually aroused.
Interestingly Rhodiola Rosea, also has this capability!