Michael Greger M.D. FACLM recently released a video on nuritionfacts.org about the oral and topical application of saffron to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
Traditionally, saffron was considered an aphrodisiac and according to Greger, it was successfully used to treat both men and women who had sexual dysfunction due to taking the anti-depressant Prozac.
Orally vs. Topically
After reviewing several different studies on the use of saffron to treat impotence, he reports that saffron seemed to have little effect on ED when taking orally. However, when a pea-sized amount of gel containing 1% saffron was rubbed on the penis (i.e., used topically) half an hour before intercourse, it worked significantly well to fight erectile dysfunction with virtually no side effects.
Why does saffron work to treat erectile dysfunction? The effects were attributed to a compound in saffron that enhances nitric oxide production in the arteries. But as Dr. Greger points out, “If that’s the case, it’s probably better to treat the cause and prevent the vascular dysfunction in the first place.”
Saffron vs. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra
Of course, saffron won’t treat ED in all men, and not everyone wants a yellow penis before sex. Then there’s also the issue of taste and the fact that you can’t really plan in advance, so stopping to apply saffron on your penis might kill the mood.
Luckily, there are other options, like the ED drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Although they require a prescription, it’s for good reason. They’ve been proven safe and effective, and the ingredients can be monitored for purity and consistency.
Convenience store supplements that promise to treat erectile dysfunction aren’t guaranteed to be safe or effective, so be cautious with anything that you can buy next to your chewing gum.
Remember, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra all work a little differently and have their own (mostly minor) side effects, so if one doesn’t work for you, try another. If you’re interested in ordering prescription ED medications like Viagra, Cialis, and others (including FDA-approved generics), visit eDrugstore.com to learn more and start your order.
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