Viagra and endangered animals, believe it or not, the two are connected. At least, some researchers believe they are.
Researchers say endangered species, commonly used to make homemade health remedies, will be left alone now that Viagra is a household name.
It’s common for Chinese healers to use an array of animal parts to help cure aliments like arthritis, gout, and erection issues. Tiger bones, rhino horns and reindeer velvet are all common ingredients in some health potions.
Now it seems some Chinese men see Viagra as a better solution to their erection problems over homemade concoctions. If an increasing number of men turn to Viagra, it could lead to fewer animals being killed for medicinal purposes.
But are more Chinese men really using ‘the little blue pill?’ A recent study says yes. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, funded a study at a traditional clinic in Hong Kong. More than 200 men were questioned about their preferred treatment for erection difficulties. Of those men, 35 said they had tried Viagra and had no intentions of returning to the traditional remedy. The reason? The research shows many of the Chinese men made the switch because they wanted a faster solution to their sexual problem than traditional options were providing.
While 35 may seem like a small number, researchers point out that it is extremely difficult for Western medicine to be accepted in China. Researchers believe it shows Viagra is slowly becoming an alternative option for Chinese men, an alternative option that could lead to fewer animals being used in homemade remedies.
That said, some Chinese still heavily rely on their traditional remedies for other health problems. In some traditional villages, western medications are rarely used.
The study was published in Environmental Conservation and was conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales and the University of Alaska.
