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Choosing A Herbal Sex Enhancer

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:01:42 +0000

Buying a herbal sex enhancer is not like buying a vitamin C pill.
In fact, it can be a very challenging and frustrating task.
Not only are you presented with an endless array of “we-are-better-than-anyone-else” products, you also have to deal with unscrupulous manufacturers who prey on your desperation and will do anything to convince you to buy their products.
Believe me, this is one heck of a ‘dirty’ business. And YOU, the unsuspecting customer, are the ultimate guinea pig.
I am not saying that great products do not exist. They do, but you have to look very hard to find them. You probably have to spend at least a few hundreds or even a few thousands of dollars on worthless crap before you find YOUR miracle pill.
But now, since you are reading this report, you are unlikely to make the same mistakes that most men make when buying a herbal sex enchancer:
Mistake #1: Believing In The Claims
Many manufacturers would like you to believe that their products work 100% for everyone. But that’s
impossible. No sex pills (nor any other pills for that matter) will work for everyone – everytime. Physiologically, we’re all different and we have our own sets of health problems. Just because a pill works for a couple of your friends doesn’t mean that it will work for you too. Most important question that you need to ask yourself before you make a buying decision is: “Can I get an erection now without any erection aid?” If you can – even though a weak one – it shows that there is sufficient blood flow into your penis.
In this case, all you need is just to boost your blood flow. Therefore, sex pills like Instant Hot Rod will work very well for you. On the other hand, if you can’t ‘get it up’ at all, this could suggest damage to blood vessels and/or nerves. The chances of sex pills having a positive effect on you is low. No miracle pill can help you if there’s a leak in the ‘plumbing system’. Consult your doctor for other treatments if you suspect that you have damages to nerves and blood vessels.
Mistake #2: Not Knowing What You Want
Before you make a purchase, be aware of your health conditions. The type of pill that you buy will ultimately depend on your present health condition. There are 2 types of herbal sex pills:
1) Fast-acting
2) Slow-acting
Fast-acting type act like ED drugs, in that they can give you a reaction within 1 hour. Because they are fast-acting, the ingredients are higher in cost and hence, the retail price is higher. Expect to pay about US$40 or more for a pack of 10 pills. Fast-acting pills usually produce some side effects in about 10% of the users, ranging from headaches, indigestion and nasal congestion. But the majority of users do not experience any side effects. Fast-acting pills should only be taken by those who are healthy or reasonably healthy. Those with serious medical problems like heart problem or cancer should consult their doctors before taking fastacting pills. Instant Hot Rod has been proven to work well for healthy males, as well as for those who have cholesterol, diabetes and other more common health problems without any intolerable side effects that you get with other pills.
Slow-acting pills, on the other hand, are more like vitamins. They do not give you immediate impact but you will see visible results, typically within a few weeks to a few months. Slow-acting pills are more suitable for those with serious health problems, who cannot tolerate the effect of faster-acting pills. Brands like Enzyte (enzyte.com) and Vigrx (vigrx.com) are some of the more popular slow-acting pills that have been around for years. Another brand, Vitamen (amazingsexbooster.com), is a slow-acting pill but works faster than the rest, with results visible in less than a week. Slow-acting pills are packed in a bottle that contain 30 to 120 capsules. They are typically cheaper but some can cost much more than fast-acting pills because they have more pills in a bottle. Once you know your health condition, you can then narrow down your choice to either a fast-acting or slow-acting formula.
Mistake #3: Well-known, Well-advertised Brands Must Be Effective
Wrong!
A well-advertised, well-established brand simply means that the company behind the brand has more money to spend on advertising and PR campaigns. It has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the product. Such brands sell a lot because of greater awareness but if the product does not work, there will not be any repeat purchase. Many brands that are highly visible on TV, radio and print do NOT work. These are normally slow-acting brands that you have little or no effect on your erection over the short-term.
Our brand, Instant Hot Rod, is not heavily advertised yet it has amassed a strong following due to the efficacy of the product.
Mistake #4: Believing Too Much In Overused Ingredients
Go into Google and type in “Sexual Enhancement”. You will find no less than 100-200 brands. If you examine the ingredients of these brands closely, you will see that most of them use the same, old timetested ingredients like Maca, Horny Goat Weed, Muira Pauma, Catuaba, Ginseng, Ginkgo etc. Do they work? Are these ingredients really as effective as their supporters would like you to believe?
The answer is NO.
If you are looking for a fast-acting pill, none of the above ingredients will do much for you. On the other hand, if you are in the market for a slow-acting formula, these proven ingredients will be appropriate. If you ever find them in a fast-acting pill, they would be playing a rather minor, supporting role that have little or no impact on your erection. It is easy to design the formula for a slow-acting pill because immediate results are not required nor expected. But when you need something to give you an additional boost in minutes, very few herbs have the ability to do that. If you were to look at the ingredients list of Instant Hot Rod, you will understand what I’m saying. Most of our ingredients are unique, and some have not even been used before in sex pills – even though they work like magic! Take Polyrachis Vicinia, or Ants, for instance. This is a renowned ‘herbs of kings’ that have a long history in China. It is often used as key ingredients in many health products in Asia but is virtually unknown in the the western world.
That’s a pity because Ants have the highest zinc contents among all living organisms and you know how important zinc is in the manufacture of the sex hormone, testosterone. Same goes for Butea Superba. The pride and joy of Thailand, this herb has been clinically tested and proven to work exactly like Viagra and Cialis, minus the side effects. But again, it is not as commonly used in sex pills as Horny Goat Weed or Ginseng. And very few herbalists know how to maximize the testosterone-enhancing effect from the awesome combination of Butea Superba, Tongkat Ali and Tribulus Terristris, like what we did with Instant Hot Rod. I hope that you find the above information useful and good luck in your search for YOUR perfect sex pill!

Party Pills

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:56:01 +0000

Party pills are popular and readily available. Although often not as strong as other popular partying favourites, party pills can keep you pumping on the dance floor. They cost less and don’t involve the risk of legal consequences. However, there are risks in believing that because something is legal it is safe.
BZP
(Benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP
(Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine) are the two most common ingredients in what are known as ‘herbal highs’ or ‘party pills’. Some examples are:
Frenzy, Exodus – The Journey, Nemesis, Nemi, Euphoria, Zoom, Blast, Shotgun, Rapture and Charge. Although these pills are called ‘herbal highs’ the active ingredients (BZP and TFMPP) are not herbal – they’re synthetically produced. Some are even called dietary supplements, implying that they replace something that’s missing in your diet – however, no normal balanced diet contains these chemicals.
BZP has stimulant-type properties and affects the dopamine and noradrenaline neurotransmitter systems, resulting in similar effects to those caused by amphetamine (NOT methamphetamine). Taking 100mg of BZP is like taking an oral dose of 7.5mg of dexamphetamine – the effects of a 100mg dose last 6 to 8 hours.
The different products have varying amounts of active ingredient – the typical amount is 70 – 175mg of BZP. Examples are ‘Frenzy’ per tablet contains 75mg of BZP and ‘Exodus’ contains 50mg TFMPP and BZP – the recommended amount being 2 tablets
TFMPP
When combined with BZP this chemical has a mild hallucinogenic effect.
Other ingredients in party pills (e.g. kandi)
Party pills often contain a number of other ingredients. Some of these are ‘active’ and can have an effect on the central nervous system.
Piper Nigrum
(Black Pepper) extract – used for its gastrointestinal stimulatory qualities and anti-nausea properties.
Phenylalanine
Plays a key role in the absorption of other amino acids and some neurotransmitters. It also is reported as having mild stimulant qualities. It is dangerous to those who suffer from Phenylketonuria (PKU) a hereditary disease which results in people being unable to metabolise phenylalanine.
Tryptophan
An amino acid which is sold as a nutritional supplement and is used by the body to start the cellular manufacture of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Tryptophan is used by some people to help stabilize mood, as a sleeping aid, and by some ecstasy and psychedelic users because tryptophan is known to both increase the effects of substances as well as to ease the comedown.
Tyrosine
An amino acid which may elevate mood. Used by the body to help produce both dopamine and noradrenalin neurotransmitters. Tyrosine may have a mild stimulatory effect.
Common effects
• General stimulation of the brain and nervous system.
• Euphoria and alertness.
• Increased heart rate and increased blood pressure.
• Reduced appetite.
• In high doses – hallucinations, fits/convulsions, slowed breathing.
• Sore throat or nasal passages if snorting powder or crushed tablets.
• Dehydration or water retention problems can occur, especially if used with alcohol.
• If being drug tested it gives a positive result for amphetamines.
• Significant hang over effects that can last up to 4 days.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction methods are similar to other stimulants like ecstasy and speed and include:
• No use is the safest choice.
• Be cautious about mixing drugs, as the combined effects become more unpredictable and risks to health are increased.
• Avoid alcohol which can add to dehydration and puts extra strain on the liver.
• If you are going to drink alcohol, make sure you also drink equal amounts of water.
• Eat well before taking the pills. This gives the body the fuel it needs to keep partying and helps minimise the ‘crash’ the next day.
• Try to eat the next day – especially foods like bananas as they can ease the effects. Some people find smoothies easier to consume.
• Stick to the recommended amount and safe use guide on the packaging.

CARING FOR PATIENTS WHO USE HERBS

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:49:21 +0000

Determining whether or not your patient is using Chinese herbal medicines in raw (decocted) or prepared forms requires sensitivity. Patients may be disinclined to provide this information even when asked directly. Making an open-ended inquiry couched in supportive terms is helpful. You may preface your inquiry with an encouraging generalization, such as: “I understand that in China there are many herbs that can be used to treat diseases. Some of them can be very helpful. Are there any herbs that you like to use? Are you taking any herbs or other medicines now?”
How to advise the patient concerning herb use is a matter of professional judgment. In the best case, it will be possible to communicate with the prescribing herbalist and explore any issues of concern. Many, but not all, practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine can address some Many clinicians choose the simple course and advise the patient to discontinue or moderate its use. Although this advice may seem to be the best course of action, it may reduce the quality of future communication with the patient or with other patients. Consequently, attempting to gain more information and informing the patient about the basis for your advice is important. Often, patients can help you learn more about why they are using herbs.
The resources listed in box 2 offer a first step in becoming more acquainted with aspects of Chinese herbal medicine.

CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF CHINESE HERBS

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:46:02 +0000

Adulteration
Most of the literature on the toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines consists of case reports describing the effects of using traditional medicinal agents adulterated with biomedical pharmaceuticals. In the United States, this has sometimes involved pharmaceutical agents that are no longer approved for human use. Adulteration with agents such as heavy metals may present the greatest risk to patients who use Chinese herbs.
Adulteration of prepared medicines imported from China and Taiwan is widespread. In some instances, these products are legitimate in their country of origin. In others, an ambitious or unscrupulous manufacturer has incorporated a pharmaceutical agent to enhance the apparent effects of the prepared herbs. Comparatively harmless examples involve the common adulteration of the famous herbal remedy for colds Yin Qiao San with acetaminophen. More harmful examples involve herbal medicines adulterated with large amounts of cortisone and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sold as arthritis remedies. The potential to confuse the consumer is increased because certain stores in American Chinatowns sell biomedical pharmaceuticals manufactured in China alongside prepared herbal remedies.
Results of a study of arthritis remedies and analgesics sold in herb stores and Chinese medicine clinics in Taiwan showed that 30% of items sampled contained drugs,4 including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and phenylbutazone. In New York, several Chinatown herb stores have sold dangerously adulterated substances, including Madam Pearl’s Cough Syrup. This product, which contains codeine, has been an object of regulatory concern since at least 1988 when it appeared on lists provided by the Department of Health Services in California.
Other adulterated preparations found in herb stores, grocery stores, and through the mail, include Black Pills, Chui Fong Tou Koo Wan, and Cow’s Head Tong Sui Pills. Chui Fong Tou Koo Wan is sold for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis. It contains, among other ingredients, phenylbutazone, diazepam, and lead. In 1995, Gertner et al described cases involving five patients from Minnesota with complications from the use of herbal arthritis remedies.5 In all cases, the pills were found to contain diazepam and mefenamic acid, both of which can have severe side effects. The public and regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, are increasingly aware that many illegally imported, but commonly used, prepared Chinese herbal medicines contain biomedical pharmaceuticals. Most of these additions are not represented on the product label, raising the possibility of overdose or other serious consequences.
Toxicity and adverse effects
Adverse events associated with herbal medicines typically result from long-term use at inappropriate dosage levels, the use of certain highly toxic substances, and hypersensitivity reactions.
Aconite is probably the most widely used of the highly toxic substances within the Chinese materia medica. The forms of this plant that are sold in herb stores and used in prescriptions are treated with heat, water, and vinegar to degrade the toxic alkaloid and to eliminate any significant toxicity. Untreated materials are occasionally used, however, and reports of toxicity have resulted.
Many cases of poisoning with aconite contained in the herbal treatments chaun wu and cao wu have occurred in China and Hong Kong. A study at one Hong Kong hospital between 1989 and 1991 identified eight patients with signs of poisoning from these substances, including nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and ventricular extrasystoles.6 Instances of poisoning are probably underreported, so these cases may be the tip of the iceberg. The Chinese government was concerned enough to act to impose controls on prescribing aconite.
The Chinese medicine Jin Bu Huan was implicated in three cases of overdose in children.7,8 The children were hospitalized with life-threatening bradycardia, and central nervous system and respiratory depression. All recovered after receiving intensive medical care. The product has been formally removed from the commercial market, although it is still available in New York.
A well-known case of reported herbal toxicity has come to be known as “Chinese herbs nephropathy.” Seventy women who were patients at a Belgian weight loss clinic from 1991 to 1992 presented with interstitial renal fibrosis and end-stage renal failure.9,10 The Chinese herb Aristolochia was implicated in their renal damage. This species of herb contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to laboratory animals in an extracted and injected form. Debate is ongoing, however, as to the actual relevance of Aristolochia in nephropathology.
Although Chinese herbal medicines are used commonly, the overall known incidence of adverse reactions appears relatively low. In an 8-month prospective study of patients admitted to two general medical wards at one hospital in Hong Kong, only 3 of 1,701 patients (0.2%) were hospitalized because of adverse reactions to Chinese herbal medicines.11 These reactions were life-threatening in two cases (dazao-induced angioneurotic edema and licorice-induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis).
Herb-drug interactions
The possibility of herb-drug interactions has been raised,12 but reports that are directly pertinent to Chinese herbal medicine are scant and often anecdotal. Instances of well-researched and well-understood interactions are rare.
The Table provides well-documented examples of commonly used Chinese herbs that have well-understood side effects or the potential for drug interactions. Given the differences between herbs and single-molecule pharmaceutical preparations, dosage level and duration of use are important in assessing risk. A compound containing licorice, ephedra, or even processed aconite presents little risk to a patient and is unlikely to interact immediately with a given pharmaceutical. Large quantities, incorrect preparation, or long-term use of a compound, however, may cause problems to occur.

PERCEPTION AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:41:28 +0000

Chinese medicine does not separate mind and body. Instead, the psyche and soma interact with each other. Psychological and emotional experiences can affect the body and vice versa. In this sense, spirit is linked both to the health of the body and to the health of the mind. Similarly, aspects of human experience, such as anger, that are considered psychological in a Western biomedical frame of reference are linked in Chinese medicine to specific organs. Anger is related to the liver, obsessive thought to the spleen, and joy to the heart.
No specific constellations of “psychotropic” herbs or medicinal agents are prescribed routinely for specific mental conditions. In addition, given the cultural predisposition to somatization, it may be unclear, in some instances, whether a mental disorder is being treated at all. In Chinese medicine, clinical presentations that are associated with neurosis (shen jing guan neng zhong) include a wide range of complaints that have distinct physical effects (see box 1).
Even the term “depression” has a somatic linkage. Depression is understood as a disruption of normal emotional activity,3 related to the stagnation of qi (vital substance substance) caused by “affect damage” (the ability of emotional excesses to damage the internal organs). In Chinese medicine, depression requires differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Patterns associated with stagnation of liver qi, heat related to the insufficiency of yin, stomach heat, and the insufficiency of heart and spleen blood may all be variously implicated.

Standing up to ED

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:18:42 +0000

WITH the dimmed lights and the easy listening music playing in the back ground, the fire of passion burns like it should on any wedding night. The newly weds are eager to consummate their marriage, making sure the mood is just right. But theunthinkable happens, erectile dysfunction (ED) takes over the ro mance.
Within minutes, the mood in the room has changed. In one corner, the bride questions her beauty and in the other, a groom tries to resurrect his pride and save his ego. This scene is not uncommon in many Malaysian bedrooms. Some occur on much anticipated wedding nights and others, in marriages that have been happy for more than 50 years.
ED doesn’t discriminate against age, race, or culture. It’s estimated to affect one million Malaysian men. Also known as male impotence, ED is a sexual dysfunction characterised by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. Arecent survey showed that 40 per cent of Malaysian men in their 40s are suffering from ED. Across the globe, this ailment is predicted to affect more than 100 million men. This means one in every two men between the ages of 40 and 70 will be afflicted by this ailment. But reported cases are just a small fraction of the larger problem. Researchers and medical practitioners tell the New Sunday Times that most Malaysian men with ED choose to suffer in silence, for fear of damaging their egos. Associate Professor Dr Quek Kia Fatt of Monash University says a man suffering from ED often feels insecure about his masculinity and chooses to remain silent. “He will avoid touching his partner because he starts to develop perfor mance anxiety. The very thought that he could fail affects his ego and pride. “In that situation, he doesn’t see ED as a disease like any other. “Eventually he will distance him self from his spouse. He will become grumpy, depressed and anxious. “This will cause tension between the couple and put a strain on the marriage.” One common issue among couples dealing with ED, Dr Quek says, is the emotional strain put on the woman. “The man tends to withdraw emotionally and physically because of the fear of failure. “The partner then starts to believe that her husband is losing interest in her or that she is no longer attractive to him. “This makes the woman feel inadequate, contributing to rejection, loneliness and depression. “The woman may also worry that her partner may be impotent with her, but not with other women, thus making her think about betrayal and infidelity.”
He says failure to talk about ED with your spouse could threaten the marriage. Besides the emotional effects, ED is also shown to affect women physically. According to Dr Quek, penetration is shown to contribute to 25 per cent of womenreaching climax. In recent years, researches have discovered that the magic blue pill is not only a solution to a man’s sexual health, but also a determining factor of a woman’s performance in bed. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that women’s sexual function improvements co-related significantly and consistently to treatment improvements in men’s erectile function. “The most fascinating aspect of this study is that the women in the study were untreated and yet their physiology changed.
“Think about this for one minute. These are the first ever data that shows physiological changes in lubrication, orgasm and arousal in an individual who was not treated,” says its lead author and director of San Diego Sexual Medicine, Dr Irwin Goldstein. The landmark research showed that the physiological changes in sex ual function of one partner in the marriage (the untreated woman) were significantly linked to the physiological changes in sexual function of the partner (the treated man). Dr Goldstein says because ED affects both parties, it should not go untreated. “If you’re married, you’re supposed to enjoy each other. In the context of marriage, sex is not dirty. “It used to be only about making babies and reproduction, but now it’s about quality of life.
“People are living longer and enjoying more fulfilling lives, in all aspects. Why not also in their marriage?” He says the myth that any form of sexual medicine is only about sex should be debunked. “Sexual medicine and its benefits is about medicine, it’s not just about sex. “ED may be a harbinger of more serious vascular diseases. “Having a healthy sex life also increases confidence and self-esteem for both the husband and the wife. It strengthens the relationship between the two.”
Although a magic pink pill for women is not far from becoming a reality, he says husbands should take the lead in providing a healthy sex life for their spouse. While this may be true for most marriages, consultant urologist Dr Peter Ng Eng Pin says some wives prefer not to wake the “sleeping giant”. “Sadly, the attitude of some wives is not encouraging. Some are happy when their spouses have premature ejaculation because it means they have done their duty for the day. “Some are even under the wrong perception that if their husband sought help for ED, he would be prone to having affairs. “It’s a big culture problem that discourage some husbands with ED to seek professional help. So, in the end, it’s an uphill battle for the ED patient.”
He says pride arid ego are also factors that prevent couples from enjoying a healthy sex life. “Many men come to see me and expect to be given a quick remedy. It’s not as if a pill is going to solve all your problems. “There needs to be counselling and therapy for complete healing.
“Couples have to talk things out, separately and together with a qualified person.
“ED is a serious problem that could make or break a marriage.

Alert over fatal mix of herbal pills and medicines

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:52:26 +0000

Of the 10,000 deaths caused by adverse reactions to prescription drugs every year, a “significant number” were likely to have been caused by patients mixing their treatments with complementary medicines, doctors’ leaders said yesterday.
Research has shown that more than 90 per cent of people prescribed drugs such as warfarin, a powerful anti? coagulant taken to stop the buildup of lethal blood clots, were not asked by their GPs if they were taking any complementary medicines.
Popular substances such as St John’s wort, a plant extract taken for mild depression, have been found to react dangerously with warfarin and other prescription drugs, preventing the treatments from working. In the study, published in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP), one in five patients on warfarin was found to be taking complementary medicines also.
Lindsay Smith, the lead author of the report, said that the findings raised serious concerns about the lack of communication between doctors and patients about herbal remedies. Current software used by GPs to compile patient records does not include a facility to record data on alternative medications.
“What was really striking was that one in five people is taking something and nine out of ten are not discussing it with their doctor,” Dr Smith, a GP in Somerset, said.
“If complementary medicines were perfectly safe and had been thoroughly tested, there wouldn’t be a problem. But most of these medications remain untested and unresearched. This is potentially very dangerous.”
In the research carried out by Dr Smith, 1,360 patients taking warfarin from 35 different practices were surveyed about herbal remedy use. Almost 300 were found to be taking a listed complementary medicine, of which 25 were taking at least one reported to react with warfarin, such as St John’s wort, ginseng or gingko biloba, a tree leaf extract believed to improve blood flow to the brain. A further 200 patients were on other unidentified alternative medicines. Dr Smith said that problems arise from the lack of medical knowledge of interactions between prescription and alternative medicines. His group is to undertake further research into gingko and garlic pills. It is estimated that at least 12 million Britons regularly use herbal remedies, while more than 500,000 take warfarin. The overlap, which remains undocumented, is likely to be high among the elderly, who often rely on multiple medications for different ailments, health experts said.
The report follows the publication yesterday of research from scientists at the University of Liverpool which estimates that more than 10,000 patients may be dying every year because of reactions to common medications such as aspirin, anticoagulants and antidepressants.
Researchers said that while most cases had been attributed to conventional drug reactions — with patients and GPs asked about St John’s wort usage — other herbal remedies were likely to have contributed to the high death rate.Concerns have been raised about the effects of echinacea, a popular antiviral supplement, on the liver when combined with other drugs, and garlic supplements on some anti?HIV treatments Jim Kennedy, the Royal College of General Practitioners spokesman on prescribing, said that adverse reactions triggered by herbal remedies would be high. “It is going to be a factor in a significant number of those deaths —certainly in the hundreds,” he said.
Edzard Ernst, director of the Department of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter and an adviser on the BJGP report, said that many British GPs “ know absolutely nothing about complementary medicine”.
“But they have a moral duty to advise patients responsibly on all matters of healthcare. To exclude a whole strain of healthcare and say it’s got nothing to do with us because we didn’t learn it at medical school is not responsible.”
He added: “With a drug like warfarin the therapeutic window is very narrow. Underdosing you can have a blood clot, and overdosing can lead to extensive bleeding and, in worst ?case scenarios, brain haemorrhages. You are dead as a church mouse. Any interference with herbal medicines is potentially lifethreatening.”