Herbs for Men

Most of the physical problems unique to men are caused by imbalances in their hormone levels, especially in the level of testosterone. Produced in the testes and in the adrenal glands, testosterone develops a man's muscles, deepens his voice and makes him fertile. On the negative side, testosterone can also cause the prostate to enlarge, and high testosterone levels have been blamed for overaggressive behaviour.

Baldness

It's not easy for a man to go bald. Hair and lots of it - is an age-old symbol of virility. Many men think that they look better with a full head of hair than without. The truth is that there is no cure for baldness-the best such products can do is to slow the loss of any remaining hair. 

Healthy hair grows in a cyclical pattern; a strand of hair grows for a while, then it falls out and its root takes a rest before sprouting again. Balding occurs when hair roots never "wake up" again! This is the case with "male pattern baldness," which is especially common when hair growth begins to slow, around age 50 or 60. It is the male hormone testosterone, helped along by certain genes, that encourages hair roots to shut down. Herbs can help!  Take herbs as nutrients for your hair.

Although herbs will not bring hair back once it is gone (there is no wonder cure), a few herbs do seem to slow hair loss, especially aloe vera gel, nettle and rosemary. For centuries, both men and women have massaged rosemary in olive oil into their scalps to keep their hair healthy and lush. The massage itself serves an important function: It stimulates circulation and encourages hair roots to grow. Herbs such as aloe vera not only is good for hair, but also serves as protection against sun and wind for a scalp that becomes exposed when hair begins to thin.

While it is difficult to know for sure that the herbs are helping, all the men know who use them swear that they can tell the difference. When you use any hair-growth treatment, remember that the scalp is the most important area to address. Hair itself is dead. Certain types of hair conditioners can make it look a little thicker or smooth it down, but little else can be done. The scalp, however, is very much alive and can respond to herbal treatments.

Of course, testosterone, genes and poor circulation are not the only factors that cause men to lose their locks. Unlike the man who sprouts it, the body considers hair one of its least important assets. It is one of the first things to go when a serious illness, nervous-system disease or advancing years demand their share of limited nutrients. Some drug treatments, especially ones for arthritis, gout, depression, high blood pressure and heart problems, can also shut down hair growth. So can radiation therapy and the various scalp problems that fall under the umbrella of dermatitis. If you think that any of these could be causing your baldness, choose herbs to help treat the specific condition.

Rosemary hair oil

·         1/2 teaspoon rosemary essential oil

·         1/2 ounce jojoba oil (or castor oil)

Combine ingredients. Dab a small amount on your fingertips and rub it into the scalp, using circular motions. Although this treatment will make your hair oily; use it twice a week and leave it on your hair at least a few hours before washing it off. 

Hair formula

·         1 cup aloe vera gel

·         4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

·         1 tablespoon nettle tincture

·         1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

·         1/2 teaspoon rosemary essential oil

Combine ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Massage a small amount of the formula into your scalp every day and whenever you wash your hair. If you aren't able to find nettle tincture, make the recipe without it.

Men's tea against hair loss

The Chinese know that the tendency to hair loss can be inherited. In any case, it helps to strengthen the scalp. The hair is influenced by the kidneys and the treatment of the blood by the spleen. This recipe can help by nourishing the blood.

·         0.4 oz. (10 g) knotweed root

·         0.1 oz. (3 g) stinging nettle seeds (Urtica) or dried nettle

·         1 tbsp. Taiga ginseng

·         0.2 oz. (5 g) wolfberries (Lycium chinensis)

·         0.2 oz. (5 g) ground Eucommia (ulmoides)

·         1 1/4 cups (300 ml) water

Prepare a medicinal soup out of these ingredients by simmering them for 20 minutes to reduce the liquid to 3 oz. (100 ml), which you drink. Brew up the same ingredients at night, but do not keep them overnight. It helps to continue taking this tea for 6 weeks. Those who wish to benefit their hair even more can take the Chinese tonic Qi Zi Bu Ji, which contains important nutrients for hair and scalp. For external use, the herbal tincture Hairoka Liniment is recommended. It is most effective against so-called seborrheic baldness, which is most common among men of European origin. 

Herbal remedies for genital rash, infections, and irritations

Herbal genital soak

·         2 cups boiling water

·         1 teaspoon yarrow flowers

·         1 teaspoon lavender flowers

·         1 teaspoon goldenseal rhizome (or Oregon grape root)

Pour boiling water over herbs and let steep at least 20 minutes. Strain out herbs, and let cool to a comfortable temperature. Fill a large drinking glass half way with the "tea" and submerge the afflicted area. Soak twice daily, or as often as possible, for at least 5 minutes.

Oil for genital infection/irritation

·         1/8 teaspoon lavender essential oil

·         1/8 teaspoon tea tree essential oil

·         1 ounce vegetable oil

Combine ingredients. Apply to the infected or irritated area at least twice a day. (It works well even when the irritation is not caused by infection.)

Dusting powder for fungal infections

·         4 ounces cornstarch or powdered cosmetic clay

·         1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil

·         1/2 teaspoon tea tree essential oil

Place cornstarch in a plastic bag and add essential oils drop by drop, redistributing the cornstarch as you go to disperse the oils evenly. Break up any clumps with your fingers on the outside of the bag. Let sit for 2 days. Use a few times daily, and always after bathing or swimming. This powder works great on athlete's foot.

Infection-fighting extract

·         1/2 ounce tincture of Echinacea root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of goldenseal root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of pau d'arco bark

·         Siberian ginseng root (optional)

Combine ingredients. Take half a dropperful 5 times daily during an active infection. You can purchase the individual tinctures in a natural food store or choose a similar formula that is already blended. 

Herbal remedy for genital warts

Wart oil

·         1/2 ounce castor oil

·         1/4 teaspoon thuja essential oil

·         1/4 teaspoon tea tree essential oil

·         800 International Units vitamin E oil

Combine ingredients. (The vitamin E, added to facilitate healing, can be obtained by opening two 400-International Unit capsules.) First, protect the skin around the wart with some salve, leaving the wart itself exposed. Carefully apply the mixture with a glass rod applicator or a cotton swab 2 to 4 times a day. Apply it only to the wart itself-thuja oil is extremely strong and this formula can burn sensitive skin. 

Herbal remedy for impotence

Impotence tincture

·         1/2 ounce tincture of ginseng root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of ginkgo leaves

·         1/2 ounce tincture of yohimbe bark

·         1/2 ounce tincture of fresh oats

·         1/2 ounce tincture of damiana leaves

Combine ingredients. Take 30 drops of tincture 3 or 4 times a day for at least 2 months. (Oats and damiana are usually most effective in tincture form. The fall-harvested ginkgo can be taken as a tincture or in pill form.) 

Herbal remedies for infertility

Fertility formula

·         1 ounce tincture of panax ginseng root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of fresh oats

·         1/2 ounce tincture of ashwaganda leaves

·         1/2 ounce tincture of raspberry leaves

Combine ingredients. Take 1 dropperful twice a day. 

Aromatherapy fertility oil

·         5 drops rose essential oil

·         1 ounce vegetable oil

Combine ingredients. Massage into the lower abdomen and inner thigh once a day. Be sure to use only pure rose essential oil, preferably Bulgarian or Turkish rose attar. 

Herbal remedy for male  menopause

Male change formula

·         1 ounce tincture of ginseng root

·         1/2 ounce Siberian ginseng root

·         1/2 ounce shizandra seed

·         1/2 ounce licorice root

Combine ingredients. Take half a dropperful once or twice a day. 

Herbal remedies for prostate enlargement

Prostate-reducing tincture

·         1 ounce tincture of saw palmetto berries

·         1/2 ounce tincture of nettle root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of sarsaparilla root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of wild yam root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of Echinacea root

·         1/2 ounce tincture of uva ursi leaves

Combine ingredients. Take half a dropperful 3 times a day. For a maintenance dose, take once a day. 

Anti-inflammatory prostate oil

·         1/8 teaspoon lavender essential oil

·         1/8 teaspoon rosemary essential oil

·         4 drops Roman chamomile essential oil (optional)

·         2 ounces St.John's-wort oil

Combine ingredients. Rub on the skin under the scrotum once or twice a day. 

Herbal remedy for swollen testicles

Testicle bath

·         1 quart water

·         1/4 cup comfrey leaves

·         1/4 cup mullein leaves

·         1/8 cup chamomile flowers

Bring water to a boil and pour it over the herbs. Let steep at least 15 minutes. Strain and pour into your bath.

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