The green world abounds in herbs that not only heal but nurture and tone humanity. Innumerable articles are published about natural approaches to health care for women, but similar articles for men usually concern body building or virility.

This article is about the health of men, not the concerns of the testosterone addicted, it is about using herbs to augment wellness and treat illness - not about 'miracle herbs'. 
 
Prevention is always the best cure, and herbs are an ideal way to achieve it. A few simple, safe and effective herbal steps will go a long way in improving male health. First give attention to the health of the heart and blood vessels, secondly find appropriate ways of coping with stress and the pressure this puts on the nervous system, thirdly support the liver in its de-toxification work, and finally use tonics to deal with any health issues that might be preventable.

The value of tonics lies in their nurturing effects having associated properties that will indicate their best use. Hawthorn is an excellent example that tones the whole cardio-vascular system while specifically dilating blood vessels and lowering elevated blood pressure.
 
Half the annual mortality in Western society results from heart and blood-vessel diseases. Any contribution that herbal medicine can make to its treatment is to be welcomed, but heart disease is often the result of an inappropriate life style; stress, diet, belief system, alcohol etc. etc. Preventive measures are by far the best, but are men willing to change? This raises questions that herbal medicine cannot answer! 

Herbs still maintain a central position in the medical treatment of various heart problems. In heart failure and arrhythmia's herbs such as Foxglove help increase the strength of heart beat, and normalize the rate of beat. However, herbal remedies nurture the heart in other ways as well. Tonics that help the heart and blood vessels will support the tissue of the cardiovascular system, possibly maintaining flexibility and tone in effected blood vessels.

Hawthorn Berries and Garlic are especially important. Herbs, like Ginkgo, that produce a dilation of the small vessels have an obvious value due to their potential for lessening the impact of vessel blockage. 
 
Hawthorn is the best tonic remedy for the heart, improving coronary circulation, dilating the coronary arteries, reducing the likelihood of angina attacks and relieving its symptoms. It does not produce rapid results but they are persistent once achieved. It speeds recovery from heart attacks and lowers hypertension. Hawthorn will help keep the heart healthy, preventing the development of coronary disease. No contra-indications or side effects are known. A pleasant tea can be made from 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried berries infused in hot water and drunk regularly. Using the tincture is convenient and effective, with 30-40 drops taken 3 times daily. This may be taken over long periods of time. 
 
Garlic has an international reputation for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A study was conducted on two groups, one consisting of 20 healthy volunteers who were fed Garlic for 6 months and the other of 62 patients with coronary heart disease and raised serum cholesterol. Beneficially changes were found in all involved and reached a peak at the end of 8 months. The improvement in cholesterol levels persisted throughout the 2 months of clinical follow-up. The clinicians concluded that the essential oil of Garlic possessed a distinct fat reducing action in healthy people and patients with coronary heart disease. Paper after paper have been published repeating these findings, findings well known amongst herbalists. Garlic also reduces the tendency for unnecessary clotting to occur within the blood vessels. Interestingly, the blood pressure normalizing and cholesterol lowering action of Garlic are not lost in cooking, whilst the anti-microbial effects appear to be.

Ginkgo is gaining attention because of its use in degenerative conditions of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease and other dementia's, where its activity on brain function and cerebral circulation are beneficial. The uniqueness of Gingko lies in its effect of increasing the flow of blood into tissue that is experiencing oxygen lack. Anyone can benefit from the use of Ginkgo, whether they are already experiencing the effects of aging on mental function, or just approaching that point. In addition, the herb is quite safe even in doses many times higher than those usually recommended. 
 
So how may these herbs be used?

Hypertension, a common problem, can often respond well to herbal treatment if the life-style factors are addressed as well. As an example of a safe and effective combination that will gradually normalize the blood pressure combine equal parts of Hawthorn, Cramp Bark and Ginkgo. If the tinctures are used take 1 teaspoonful of this mixture 3 times a day. As dried herb infuse 2 teaspoonfuls to a cup and drink 3 times a day. Garlic should be used as a dietary supplement. 
 
The stresses of the life we have created for ourselves impact health, vitality, virility, in fact all that men are and experience. When used within the context of a program that addresses a range of factors, herbs can facilitate a dramatic change in the quality of life experienced by anyone under stress.

There are a range of relaxing herbs that can be used regularly as gentle soothing remedies. Mild herbs would include Lemon Balm and Chamomile, relaxing remedies that also settle indigestion, or Linden Blossom which relaxes and can help lower elevated blood pressure. Skullcap is an example of a stronger but still safe and effective herb that relaxes tension and at the same time revivifying the central nervous system. It can be used with confidence in the easing of pre-menstrual tension, a women's issue that often effects men! 
 
Herbs can be used to increase the bodies ability to resist the potentially damaging impact of both the human and natural world. Russian scientists have coined the term "adaptogens" to describe herbs that produce this increase in resistance and vitality. They increase resistance and resilience to stress, enabling the body to avoid reaching collapse because it can adapt around the problem. Adaptogens work through support of the adrenal glands. 

Siberian Ginseng, one of the most remarkable of these plants, has garnered much clinical and laboratory research conducted in the USSR over the last 30 years with more than 1000 published papers devoted to it. The conclusions being drawn from this abundance of research are that Siberian Ginseng helps the body endure the physiological stresses of life. It can increase individual resistance to the whole spectrum of factors that contribute to stress reactions and exhaustion.
 
The ability of Siberian Ginseng to potentiate antitumor immunity has been discovered recently. An increase in the activity of a group of antineoplastic white blood cells, called natural killers, occurs due to the herbs' effect. It also induced the synthesis of interferon. It is well known that stress decreases the activity of the immune system and particularly that of the 'natural killers'. An obvious association exists here on a bio-chemical level between stress, immune function and the herb. 
A unique contribution herbs can make to the health of a man is in protecting his liver from his lifestyle! There are a number of ways this can be done, but the most effective involves Milk Thistle. Long known as a liver tonic, modern studies show that it protects liver cells from chemical damage. Research done in Germany is revealing exciting data about reversal of toxic liver damage as well as protection from potential hepatotoxic agents. Its may be safely used in a whole range of liver conditions including hepatitis and cirrhosis, especially those caused through alcohol, environmental pollutants or pharmaceuticals. It won't be long until there is a milk thistle seed liqueur on the market! 

As there is a rapidly growing industry designed to address the needs, and delusions, of men seeking 'herbal anabolic steroids', I must acknowledge my bias. Searching for powerful 'male herbs', often expensive imported plants, is little different from hunting the Rhino to near extinction for their horn. This small example of humanity’s environmental rampage is fueled by a worldwide market for the supposedly aphrodisiac horn. Men seeking to regain their 'lost youth', Rhino's killed by testosterone poisoning! 

Herbs that act as tonics for the male reproductive system include Saw Palmetto, Sarsaparilla, Ginseng and Damiana. I emphasize tonic and not stimulant, as the goal of herbalism is wholeness and well-being, not the creation of muscle-bound 'supermen'. Much of the journalism concerning herbal promotion of body-building and stimulation of testosterone like activity is simply sales hype. There is a tangled web of misconceptions and assumptions, all exacerbated by product marketers. A big difference exists between what herbs can do and what someone might want them to do, also between using herbs for the maintenance of wellness or amelioration of ill health and the manipulation of body functioning and image for cultural or ego reasons. 

The African herb Yohimbé (Coryanthe yohimbe) contains a stimulating alkaloid, yohimbine, which can be effective in treating male impotence. The content of yohimbine is very variable in the plant extract and large amounts of the herb are needed to achieve the results found with the drug. When the herb is used there is a potential of long term damage due to the effects upon the central nervous system. 

A major concern for men is the potential of prostate problems in later life. Congestion and growth of the prostate gland is virtually universal in men over the age of 60. This does not cause problems for many older men, although the others take little consolation in that fact! Located deep within the pelvis, the prostate is wrapped around the urethra, into which its secretions empty. If the gland becomes inflamed or enlarged, it presses on the urethra, so obstructing the flow of urine. This can cause a range of unpleasant urination difficulties. 
 
Saw Palmetto and Hydrangea are especially useful in preventing and treating cases of enlarged prostate glands. As a preventive measure a mixture of equal parts of Saw Palmetto, Hydrangea and Sarsaparilla taken daily can be helpful.