Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction: Herbal Remedies, Lifestyle Changes, and More
Updated on December 30, 2024
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, resulting in an inability to have penetrative sex. It is a very common condition, so if you’re among the almost 30 million male patients with ED in the United States, you’re far from alone. Although many people with ED seek natural remedies and lifestyle changes that support healthier erections, the reality isn’t quite so simple.
Many of the herbal remedies for ED don’t have a lot of strong research supporting their use, and they often have potentially dangerous side effects. For this reason, speak to your doctor about medical treatments for ED before trying herbal remedies. That said, some natural remedies, supplements, and lifestyle changes may be beneficial as a complementary approach to treating ED. Read on to learn more.
Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Some herbal remedies have limited research showing positive effects on ED symptoms. Here are some you are likely to see as having a connection:
- Ginseng
- Yohimbine
- Ginkgo biloba
- Horny goat weed (epimedium)
Note that the term "natural remedies" includes supplements in many forms: herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and others. Although these products may have nature-sourced origins, "natural" does not necessarily mean they are safe.
Ginseng
Panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng, is an adaptogenic plant native to East Asia. The root has played a role in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are different types of ginseng, and the different types have different effects on improving immune activity and differing amounts of active compounds, known as ginsenosides.
Some compounds in ginseng trigger the release of nitrous oxide, which may support better circulation. Interestingly, ginseng has also been explored as part of a topical herbal formula for premature ejaculation, with some studies showing improvement in symptoms beyond a placebo, yet this research is still preliminary.
Overall, research suggests that ginseng is safe to use in the short term, and it contains several active compounds. Common side effects may include headaches, insomnia, and vertigo.
Yohimbine
Yohimbine is a bark extract from trees that grow in West Africa. In ancient African medicine, people used it as an aphrodisiac, or libido enhancer. A systematic review published in 2021 that examined eight studies found that using yohimbine alone or with other ingredients significantly increased the likelihood of reducing ED symptoms. However, in the studies included, researchers found it improved sexual function only when participants took yohimbine alongside other ingredients like L-arginine.
Per the Mayo Clinic, yohimbine has shown helpful effects on sexual function in people who have ED due to the side effects of taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to manage depression. A doctor should supervise use of yohimbine, as side effects might include higher blood pressure, changes to heart rate and rhythm, and increased anxiety.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo is among the oldest species of trees, and people have used it to improve memory and support better circulation for thousands of years. It may also improve blood circulation by widening blood vessels. This might potentially lead to better blood circulation in the penis as well, improving the ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
However, no strong evidence supports ginkgo’s effectiveness in managing ED or its safety for long-term usage. Plus, it may increase a person’s risk of bleeding and interact with medications that break down in the liver, including antidepressants, blood-thinning medications, blood pressure and glucose medications, and others.
Horny Goat Weed
Some people report that substances in this herb’s leaves enhance sexual performance, but only limited animal studies have shown this potential benefit. No evidence has found that these effects occur in humans.
Horny goat weed might affect breathing and heart function in some people, and there is limited data around its safety as a treatment method.
The Role of Supplements and Vitamins for Erectile Dysfunction
Some vitamins and supplements might complement medical treatments to prevent or reduce ED, depending on the underlying cause of the condition:
Vitamin D
The penis has a large volume of receptors that interact with vitamin D, and a review published in 2021 found a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and ED. This might be due to the protective role of vitamin D in penile cells, its function in healthy penis development, and its wider blood vessel support by helping L-arginine produce nitrous oxide.
Healthy vitamin D levels might also reduce a person’s risk of blood vessel diseases due to plaque buildup, which can lead to ED as a symptom, and help maintain testosterone levels and how the body responds to testosterone.
Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, so manufacturers often fortify them with it. Dairy products, fatty fish like salmon, beef liver, egg yolks, and mushrooms provide vitamin D, and sunlight on bare skin is another natural source of vitamin D.
While some research supports vitamin D to manage or prevent ED, other studies — such as a study published in 2024 that tracked ED in nearly 9,000 older male participants taking vitamin D supplements or a placebo for three years — have not found that vitamin D improved ED symptoms. More research is necessary.
Zinc
Low levels of the mineral zinc may have links to male sexual function. Research has connected zinc supplementation to improved penile function in rats with lead poisoning, for example. The authors of another study attributed this to zinc’s role in maintaining testosterone levels, protecting the outer layers of cells, and the functioning of cells in blood vessel walls.
A review published in 2023 of eight human studies and 30 animal studies found a positive association between zinc and testosterone levels. More clinical trials using human subjects would help confirm this link.
Adults need 40 milligrams of zinc daily. Oysters are a fantastic source of zinc, while meat, poultry, seafood, fish, and fortified cereals also provide plenty. Legumes, nuts, dairy, and eggs contain some zinc, too.
L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid; amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. L-arginine helps open blood vessels, which may be helpful for people who have ED due to a physical cause, such as cardiovascular disease. Your body can usually produce all the L-arginine it needs, but supplements might help increase levels.
Research indicates that L-arginine can be safe and effective for helping manage ED. However, if you already take sildenafil (Viagra), taking L-arginine might lead to a harmful drop in blood pressure. Other side effects can include cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.
You should discuss taking L-arginine with a healthcare provider to make sure there are no potential complications or interactions with other medications you may be taking. The dosage varies depending on the product but generally ranges from 6 to 30 grams. L-arginine products often break up dosages to make sure that a person doesn’t take more than is safe, so be sure to closely follow the instructions on the packaging.
Dehydroepiandrosterone
This hormone precursor occurs naturally in the body. It is used to make the hormone testosterone. DHEA levels decline with age. Low testosterone levels might be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction, as around 33 percent of all men with ED also have low testosterone.
According to a study, when the body converts DHEA supplements into testosterone, it might improve the ability to get and keep an erection. More research is necessary to confirm this benefit.
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
People often use this supplement to improve circulation in their legs and peripheral artery disease leg pain.
Studies have demonstrated that combining propionyl-L-carnitine with sildenafil may have a more significant effect on managing erectile dysfunction than taking sildenafil alone. Propionyl-L-carnitine is usually safe to take under the guidance of a medical professional.
Combining Natural Remedies With Professional Guidance
Research has looked into several natural remedies for ED derived from herbs and other supplements. However, natural does not always mean harmless. Not only is the research supporting the effects of supplements on male sexual health limited but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements in the same way it does medication. This means that herbal ED remedies might have excessive doses or additional medications that the product label does not list.
Even though the FDA has banned products billed as “herbal Viagra,” many unproven and possibly dangerous natural remedies for ED are still available.
These products may contain traces of drugs or interact with medications that manage other conditions. For example, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol may also have ED as a symptom of their condition. If these patients take herbal remedies, they can have a higher risk of adverse effects.
Lifestyle Changes to Combat Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment for ED depends on the cause, and erectile dysfunction has a range of possible causes:
- Conditions that affect blood flow to the penis, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease
- Hormonal issues like low testosterone
- Issues affecting the brain and nervous system
- Physical injuries to the penis like a fracture
- Psychological or emotional issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem problems, and fear of sexual intercourse
- Medication side effects
- Substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
Adjusting your lifestyle may support improved ED symptoms for some people, especially those with mild ED.
This may include these changes:
- Exercise more often. Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, or jumping rope — any vigorous cardiovascular activity — for at least 45 minutes three times a week can help you reverse mild ED. This type of exercise supports better cardiovascular health, which in turn has a direct impact on erectile function. Exercise may be as effective as some medications for reducing excess weight and inflammation, as well as improving blood flow and stress levels, which support achieving and maintaining an erection.
- Stop smoking. Quitting smoking can help reduce mild ED after several months. This may be due to smoking's negative effects on blood flow to the penis.
- Address sexual or mental health issues. Consider speaking to a mental health, relationship, or sexual health professional about underlying problems in these areas.
- Eat more circulation-boosting foods. Foods like fish, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables — those known to be part of the Mediterranean diet — can help reduce ED symptoms. These foods may have links to reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular health, both of which might support improved erectile function.
- Avoid fried, sugary, or processed foods. Where possible, reducing the intake of foods high in saturated fats like fried foods and red meat, alcohol, sugary drinks, and foods high in sodium can improve ED symptoms. These can negatively impact circulation, which impacts blood flow and the ability to achieve and maintain erections.
- Manage body weight. Obesity can increase the likelihood and severity of ED by damaging blood vessels and nerves, causing bodywide inflammation, reducing testosterone, and affecting libido. Weight management can help you regain erectile function.
- Manage stress and anxiety. An erection often starts with sexual excitement, and stress or anxiety can disrupt this excitement and cause relationship problems. A healthy diet and exercise alongside other methods that help you relax and reduce stress might improve ED symptoms over time. These include yoga, meditation, connecting with other people, getting enough sleep, being creative, and seeking counseling or talk therapy if stress gets too severe.
The Takeaway
- Many manufacturers market natural remedies for ED, but not all of them are safe and effective, and some can interact with other medications or health problems.
- Lifestyle changes, including increased exercise, weight management, a healthier diet, stress management, and quitting smoking, may improve ED symptoms.
- There are many evidence-supported conventional medical approaches for ED, and these can be supported by lifestyle changes and potentially complementary herbs and supplements as well.
- It's important to first be evaluated by a medical provider who can test for deficiencies or diagnose underlying conditions that may be responsible, and to form a comprehensive care plan from there.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction
- Mayo Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Erectile Dysfunction
- Harvard Health Publishing: 5 Natural Ways to Overcome Erectile Dysfunction
Meet Our Experts
Justin Laube, MD
Medical Reviewer
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.
Adam Felman
Author
Adam is a freelance writer and editor based in Sussex, England. He loves creating content that helps people and animals feel better. His credits include Medical News Today, Greatist, ZOE, MyLifeforce, and Rover, and he also spent a stint as senior updates editor for Screen Rant.
As a hearing aid user and hearing loss advocate, Adam greatly values content that illuminates invisible disabilities. (He's also a music producer and loves the opportunity to explore the junction at which hearing loss and music collide head-on.)
In his spare time, Adam enjoys running along Worthing seafront, hanging out with his rescue dog, Maggie, and performing loop artistry for disgruntled-looking rooms of 10 people or less.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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