Why Weak Erection Is On The Rise Among Young Men - Experts

Weak Erection or Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for vaginal penetration or satisfactory sexual performance. A recent study found there is a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. Experts estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ED. For 2025, the prevalence of ED is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide.

The Underlying Cause Of Weak Erection

But the question is: what could be responsible for the growing cases of weak erection? In one of his interviews with Nigeria Natural Health Online, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, MD/CEO Healthcare  Products, a major player in the Nigerian natural health industry,  attributed the development to the shift in lifestyles pattern, especially in Africa. “In the times past, our fore fathers were very close to nature and all its protective herbs. The main form of medication was herbal. They ate fresh fruits and vegetables harvested fresh from the farm and often trekked to the farm or made use of bicycles,” he said. “But, today, people eat all sorts of junks in the form of fast foods. People go out from their airconditioned house, into their airconditioned car, and from there to their airconditioned office and the same process is repeated on their way back home from work. In those days, a man in his late 60s, married to four or five wives, could satisfy all of them sexually whereas today, you find young men in their mid 20s and 30s with just one wife, coming down with weak erection.”

In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis. Many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. And even though there are several chemical based drugs indicated for weak erection, natural and herbal formulations, due to their organic nature, have been known to be more effective than their orthodox chemical based drugs in the treatment and management of weak erection.

Some Other Factors To Consider

If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.

Sometimes, treating an underlying condition is enough to reverse erectile dysfunction. But in most cases, medications or other direct treatments will definitely be needed.

What Are The Symptoms?

Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:

• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble sustaining an erection
• Inability to penetrate the vagina
• Reduced sexual desire

A Combination of Psychological And Physical Factors

Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. And as has been earlier observed, weak erection are most times caused by dangerous lifestyles that affect the flow of blood to the penis.

Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.

Physical Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

In many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Sleep disorders
• Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
• Low testosterone

Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Stress
• Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns

Effective Herbal Remedies For Weak Erection

Experts agree that the most effective cure for weak erection is the use of organic natural and herbal formulations that contain the potent herbs that restore strong and lasting erection. And even though many roadside drug peddlers have taken advantage of this fact to flood the market with herbal medicines purportedly indicated in the treatment of weak erection, a recent survey, based on testimonies of users, shows that there are actually some very effective herbal formulations that have consistently restored sexual performance to those suffering from weak erection. These ones can most times be found in pharmacies and not from hawkers and vendors along the road. Another good thing about these herbal interventions is that, like most organic natural medications, they not only correct weak erection but go further to restore the sperm quality thereby boosting fertility and the chances of conception for couples who have not been able to have a child because of male infertility.

How To Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more common as men age. But it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. How can you avoid it? Here's what experts say.

1. Watch What You Eat

A diet that's bad for a man's heart is also not good for their ability to have erections.

Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. The blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body.

Anything that is bad for a man's heart is also bad for his penis, says Andrew McCullough, MD, associate professor of clinical urology and director of the male sexual health program at New York University Langone Medical Center.

Recent studies show that weak erection is relatively uncommon among men who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats including nuts and olive oil, fish, and wine, particularly red.

"The link between the Mediterranean diet and improved sexual function has been scientifically established," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego.

2. Maintain A Healthy Weight

Being overweight can bring many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, which can cause nerve damage throughout the body. If the diabetes affects the nerves that supply the penis, ED can result.

3. Avoid High Blood Pressure And High Cholesterol

High cholesterol or high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, including those that bring blood to the penis. Eventually, this may lead to ED.

Make sure your doctor checks your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You might also want to check your blood pressure between doctor visits. Blood pressure monitors are also sold for home use.

If your cholesterol or blood pressure is out of whack, get it treated.

Some blood pressure drugs can make it hard to get an erection. But doctors say many cases of ED that get blamed on these drugs are actually caused by arterial damage resulting from high blood pressure (also called hypertension).

4. Drink Alcohol In Moderation Or Not At All

There is no evidence that mild or even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function, says Ira Sharlip, MD, a urology professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions -- such as interfering with the normal balance of male sex hormone levels -- that can lead to ED. And binge drinking may impact the ability to have an erection.

5. Exercise Regularly

Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED.

Watch out for any form of exercise that puts excessive pressure on the perineum, which is the area between the scrotum and anus. Both the blood vessels and the nerves that supply the penis can be adversely affected from excessive pressure in this area.

6. Try Doing Kegels

Kegel exercises involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles in the pelvis. Kegels can be helpful for men and women who have incontinence. These exercises are good to try if you have ED, as certain pelvic muscles help support an erection. 

7. Keep Tabs On Testosterone

Even in healthy men, testosterone levels often begin falling sharply around age 50. Every year after age 40, a man's testosterone level typically falls about 1.3%.

Symptoms like a low sex drive, moodiness, lack of stamina, or trouble making decisions suggest a testosterone deficiency, as do lackluster erections. Your doctor can check on that.

8. Avoid Anabolic Steroids

These drugs, which are often abused by athletes and bodybuilders, can shrink the testicles and sap their ability to make testosterone.

9. Quit Smoking

Smoking cigarettes can harm blood vessels and curb blood flow to the penis. And nicotine makes blood vessels contract, which can hamper blood flow to the penis.

10. Steer Clear Of Risky Sex

believe it or not, some cases of erectile dysfunction stem from penile injuries that occur during sex. Taking your time and avoiding certain positions can help. It may be uncomfortable, but consider talking to your doctor about what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.

11. Curb Stress

Psychological stress boosts levels of the hormone adrenaline, which makes blood vessels contract. That can be bad news for an erection. Anything a man can do to ease tension and feel better emotionally is likely to give their sex life a big boost.

 

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Don't Consume Herbal Liquids After 14 Days Of Preparation, NAFDAC Warns

The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control has warned Nigerians to avoid taking herbal liquids after 14 days of preparation as this could be risky to their health. Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, its Director General, gave the advice in a statement issued to commemorate the World Herbal Medicine Day which holds annually on Aug. 31.

Adeyeye advised Nigerians to use herbal medicines with caution to prevent avoidable deaths and complications.

According to her, for safety reasons, no liquid herbal formulation should be ingested after days of preparation and such medicines should always be kept refrigerated.

“After 14 days, if it is liquid, it may start to develop bacteria that can make people sick.

“The general public should use herbal medicines with care because you don’t know the quantity that you are supposed to take.

“The fact that it is natural doesn’t mean it is not toxic,’’ she stressed.

She explained that toxicity was not about the volume consumed, but that something could be in micro quantity and could kill.

“Just because you prepared the concoction in your house doesn’t mean you can drink it like water. It may be dangerous,’’ she cautioned.

Adeyeye noted that the problem associated with herbal medicines was that many people did not understand that it should be scientifically driven.

“If you prepare herbal medicine in liquid form you don’t know how stable the medicine will be in water. If it is not stable and it is degrading to another thing, it may hurt.

“Those who engage in hawking herbal preparations on the streets under the scorching sun, the heat generated by the sun may have a way of causing decomposition of the active ingredients in the medicines being sold.

“This may pose significant health risks to those buying and consuming these preparations.

“That’s why herbal medicines in Nigeria have to be handled with care. Some people take herbal medicines like vaccines.

“Herbal medicines are derived from plants mostly, sometimes from animals in few cases while vaccines are from human or animal cells that have been programmed to elicit immunologic effects in the body.’’ She added

Adeyeye also advised against simultaneous use of both herbal and conventional medicines by members of the public.

“If someone is using herbal medicine and a conventional medicine simultaneously, there may be a problem.

“Let’s say that a medicine is supposed to lower blood pressure or lower sugar level for diabetes and a person takes conventional medicine and the sugar level is lowered and he then takes herbal remedy, that person may go into a shock.

“This means that the level of sugar in the blood is too low because the two are now working synergistically.

“Sometimes herbal medicines may actually reduce the effectiveness of the conventional medicine. That’s why studies need to be done because there is drug-herbal medicine interaction that may cause a lot of harm.

“Whoever is taking herbal medicine should talk to his or her pharmacist and medical doctor for professional advice,’’ she stated.

Adeyeye, however, called for collaboration between herbal medicine practitioners and medical researchers to achieve rapid development of the herbal medicine industry in the country.

The D-G noted that NAFDAC in March 2019 set up herbal medicine product committee before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out to advance research in herbal medicines.

According to her, the goal of setting up the committee is to make sure that the herbalist and the researcher are collaborating.

“So, whatever the herbalist knows from ancestral history that does not have research to back it up, collaboration with researchers will enable that herbal medicine to be advanced to be listed by NAFDAC if it’s deemed safe.

“Right now, there is no single herbal medicine that has gone through full clinical trial the way clinical trial is supposed to be done.

“There could be herbal medicines that have been used to treat a symptom of COVID-19 or whatever, but it has not been published in which case, it is not an official clinical trial,’’ she said.

  

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WHO Backs Local Therapies For COVID-19

As the African Traditional Medicine Day (ATMD) holds today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has harped on promotion of the continent’s rich and diverse medicinal plants and herbs in improving well-being.

She said for generations, the vast majority of people in Africa had relied on traditional medicine as trusted and affordable source of healthcare needs.

The Botswanan submitted that as part of the COVID-19 response, promising local therapies were emerging.

She said: “In Cameroun for example, the Ministry of Health has approved two products as complementary therapies for COVID-19. Madagascar’s herbal remedy, COVID-Organics Plus Curative, is in Phase III trials and encouraging preliminary results have been reported. We look forward to the final results of this trial, and of trials underway for different products in 12 other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.”

Moet noted that with the support of national and district authorities, traditional health practitioners are leading the charge in building buy-in for COVID-19 prevention measures and referring patients for timely care. This, she explained, is contributing to strengthening and building confidence in health systems throughout Africa.

The physician said, at the highest levels, the pandemic has improved awareness of the value of traditional medicine, adding that investing more in research and development would harness homegrown solutions to improve well-being on the continent and other parts of the world.

The official went on: “Natural remedies are burgeoning in popularity in western countries and have a long history in China, India and other places. Major pharmaceutical companies are also looking to Africa for new active ingredients. With the right partnerships and investments, tried-and-tested African traditional medicines could find a broad global market.

“WHO and other multilateral organisations are playing key roles in supporting capacity development in the traditional medicine sector, including the development of local manufacturing.

“Recently, we looked back on the progress achieved in the Second Decade of African Traditional Medicine from 2011 to 2020 and in the implementation of the Regional Strategy on Enhancing the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems 2013–2023.”

Moeti said WHO’s evaluation revealed that 40 African nations now have policy frameworks for traditional medicine, up from only eight in 2000.

The public health specialist said communities have been mobilised to participate in raising awareness on traditional medicine.

Similarly, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, told journalists, yesterday, that to achieve rapid development of the herbal medicine industry in Nigeria, there was need for both herbal medicine practitioners and researchers to collaborate.

To this end, she said her organisation set up an herbal medicine product committee in March 2019 before the advent of the novel coronavirus, to advance research in herbal medicine.

Adeyeye made the disclosure in Abuja ahead of today’s continental event.

The NAFDAC DG, in a statement by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, confirmed many of the herbal products are being subjected to review by different agencies of government nationwide.

The pharmacist advised Nigerians to use herbal medicines with caution to prevent avoidable deaths and complications.

To the Director, Pax Herbal Clinics Ewu, Edo State, Rev Fr. Anselm Adodo, traditional medicine is a holistic discipline involving use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality.

He said about 80 per cent of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs.

“In some cases, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent. In this case, the significant contribution of traditional medicine as a major provider of healthcare services in Africa cannot be underestimated,” he added.

  

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Ooni Of Ife Unveils NAFDAC Approved Herbal Cure For COVID-19

The fear of the COVID-19 virus in Nigerians was again allayed on Thursday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, unveiled an indigenous drug for the cure and prevention of the viral infection.

The drug named Verozil, which is available in capsules, blisters packs and liquid, was certified by the body regulating sales and use of drugs in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Verozil, which was launched alongside other three indigenous drugs, was researched and produced by Yem-Kem International Group and Ooni Ojaja Global Outreach. It will be distributed by Organic Remedies.

Oba Adeyeye, who spoke at the launch at the banquet hall, Ooni’s palace, Ile-Ife, said it was a great day and privilege to unveil the indigenous medicines, noting that their potencies have been tested and proven by government and other bodies.

His words: “Today is a great day for in the history of this great nation. I give kudos to the Minister of Health, NAFDAC DG and the Presidency for the success of these products.

 “I want to announce to the whole world that there is a new phase in traditional medicine research that will be berth soon with the introduction of an Executive Bill, which is at the second reading at the National Assembly, on herbal product research. We are also launching bitter leaf, a very powerful product and now it is in gelatin form to be consumed easily by people and it was produced in Nigeria.

“As the world is celebrating their COVID-19 vaccine, we are here to unveil and celebrate our own indigenous medicine.”

Prominent herbal medicine practitioner and founder and Chief Executive Officer, Yem-Kem International Nigeria Limited, Akintunde Ayeni, said the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi phoned him during the COVID-19 and inquired from him what he was doing in respect of the deadly virus.

He said Oba Adeyeye sent him some recipes that they could use in making indigenous medicine to fight COVID-19, which he studied and gave birth to the medicines that were been launched.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment in the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Afolabi Imoukhuede, in his goodwill messages, said COVID-19 has brought to the fore the importance of immunity.

  

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Why Regular Consumption Of Zobo With Hypertension Drugs Should Be Avoided - Experts

The consumption of hibiscus tea or zobo is growing in popularity owing to accumulating evidence that it has benefits against excess weight, constipation, upset stomach, diabetes and can safely reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

 

Among the best-described health benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa, also commonly referred to as roselle, is blood pressure control for hypertension and many patients on conventional antihypertensives may also consume iced zobo drink to beat the increasing atmospheric temperature.

 

Studies have shown that a two-week period of zobo extract administration could produce the antihypertensive activity. However, in a new study, experts warn against long term consumption of zobo drink by individuals on captopril, a conventional hypertension medication.

 

According to them, regular intake of zobo drink with captopril, one of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor may be potentially dangerous. This could lead to a lowering of the blood pressure than initially planned.

 

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril dilate the blood vessels to lower hypertension or treat heart failure.

 

Even though the intake of the antihypertensive with zobo drink does not influence the antihypertensive potency of captopril or cause any side effects, they said two weeks of regular intake of zobo drink with captopril can reduce the efficacy of the drug.  This was contained in the 2020 edition of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

 

Ingestion of zobo drink with conventional medicines such as paracetamol, chloroquine and antibiotics in many communities are very common, without regard to the possibility of herb-drug interactions. Being natural products, individuals wrongly believe they are always safe to be taken with drugs.

 

When herbal therapies and drugs (prescription or non-prescription medications) are used together, they can interact in the body, causing changes in the way the herbs and/or the drugs work. Such changes are called herb-drug interactions. They can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the type of interaction.

 

More than 300 species of hibiscus can be found around the world and most of its varieties are used as ornamentals. However, there are two main types of Hibiscus sabdariffa cultivated for its jute-like fibre and its edible calyces. Its infusion made from its bright red calyces, which is commonly called zobo, is consumed hot or cold. This tea is often sweetened with sugar.

 

For the study on the possible effect of prolonged administration of zobo extract on captopril in the body, male rats were divided into two groups of six. The first group received a single dose of captopril suspension while the second group received zobo daily for two weeks prior to the same captopril dose.

 

Multiple blood samples were collected at predetermined times after the antihypertensive was administration and its concentration in these blood samples were assessed using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

 

Previously, experts at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said taking zobo along with the prescription drug lisinopril, a blood pressure medication, ensures its better effectiveness in blood pressure control.

 

The availability of lisinopril alone and in the presence of Hibiscus tea was determined at the stomach, intestine and blood pH.

 

The 2019 study, which involved I. Nasir, M. Aminu, A.M. Ismail, A Salisu and G Magaji, published in the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, found that taking lisinopril with zobo drink or hibiscus tea could enhance its availability consequent to the increased dissolution of lisinopril in simulated gastric, intestinal and blood pH.

 

Dr I. Nasir declared: “It is a common practice to see individuals taking a prescription drug for antihypertensive medications outside the hospital while also taking zobo drink and moringa. They believe that when they take it together, they get better. And when you check their blood pressure, it would have dropped miraculously.”

 

He added “the result of the study has proven that the zobo drink helps in checking their high blood pressure.”

 

According to him, “its pharmacological effect will definitely be seen. In fact, there is a banker; all that she takes in the morning for her hypertension is the sour zobo drink which contains no additive like sugar.

 

“Many studies have shown that zobo drink has some antihypertensive effect. In fact, some prescribers recommend that instead of using water to swallow the drug, they could use a zobo drink. But they advise not to take zobo drink that contains sugar.”

 

The researchers, however, said further studies on the effect of varying concentrations of zobo on the bioavailability of lisinopril would still need to be evaluated.

 

However, people taking blood pressure medications like the Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as lisinopril should avoid consuming large amounts of zobo as well as foods high in potassium including avocados, oranges and orange juice, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and tomato source.   

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Lowering Blood Sugar With Mulberry Leaf And Kidney Bean Extract

Researchers has shown that mulberry leaf and white kidney bean extract mix could be a solution for lowering post-meal glucose level.

 

A study conducted by Peking University and supported by the Key Projects of Beijing Science & Technology showed that mulberry and white kidney beans could lower the glucose level by decreasing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. It is the first trial on the effects of the ingredients on pre-diabetic individuals.

 

The individuals who had taken the mixture had reduced glucose, insulin, and c-peptide levels, which are all interlinked. This is because insulin and c-peptide levels are regulated by the glucose levels.

 

Sixty-five pre-diabetic subjects aged 45 to 65 completed the random controlled trial (RCT) which took place between October and November 2018. As pre-diabetics, their fasting plasma glucose was in the range of 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L or haemoglobin A1c (the average level of blood sugar) levels in the range of 5.7 to 6.4 per cent.

 

The experiment group took a brown powder containing 0.5g of mulberry leaf extract and 1.0 grammes of white kidney bean extract with 100 grammes of white bread and 200ml of plain water. Their blood samples were then collected at the 30th, 60th, and 120th minute. 

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Eating Bitter Kola Can Reduce Eye Pressure In Young Adults

Eating bitter kola can reduce intraocular pressure in the eye of healthy young adults by 21 per cent and this may be of benefit to individuals with primary

open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which is the most common form of glaucoma or ocular hypertension in low-income settings, a study has said.

 

In the new study, researchers assessed the effect of eating bitter kola on intraocular pressure (IOP) in 46 healthy individuals aged between 19 and 27

years at the Optometry Clinic of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. They were recruited from the University of Cape Coast student population and randomised

into two groups (A and B).

Group A took 100 mg/kg body weight of bitter kola that was mashed and dissolved in a 200 ml of water on their first visit and group B ingested 200 ml of

water. On the second visit, the order of treatment was reversed. The IOP was measured at baseline and every 45 minutes interval for 135 minutes.

 

The dosage of 100 mg/kg used in this study is equivalent to 5.0 to 9.6 grammes of bitter kola and it falls within the average daily consumption of two

nuts of bitter kola. This dosage is considered to be safe because other scientists had speculated that high doses (400 mg/kg) of bitter kola can be toxic

to human organs and may cause liver damage and peptic ulcer.

 

They had a baseline IOP measurement of between 11 and 24 mmHg in both eyes, and none of the subjects was a casual or habitual bitter kola consumer.

Also excluded were I ndividuals that had a family history of glaucoma, any eye or systemic disease, or were taking any forms of medication at the time of the study.

Same too fori ndividuals that had reported allergic reactions to bitter kola, corneal abnormalities or have potential risk factors for angle-closure

glaucoma.

 

This 2020 study to determine whether eating bitter kola in a dose comparable to normal daily consumption levels will reduce IOP significantly in healthy

young adults had involved Alex A. Ilechie, Mohammed M. Jeduah, Carl H. Abraham, Stephen Ocansey, Emmanuel Abu, Theophilus Okyere and Obarijima Ngosaro.

It was in the journal, Acta Ophthalmology.

 

They found that the average IOP measurements decreased by 7.9, 18.2 and 20.6 per cent at 45, 90 and 135 minutes, respectively, after bitter kola treatment.

The reduction, though variable across the individuals, was statistically significant across the respective time points.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Its most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is characterised by progressive

optic nerve degeneration and affects more than 60 million people worldwide.

In Africa, glaucoma accounts for 15 per cent of blindness and it is the region with the highest prevalence of blindness relative to other regions worldwide.

Intraocular pressure is the only modifiable factor in patients with glaucoma; therefore, treatment with IOP-lowering medication has been critical to prevent

blindness.

 

However, the development of an active natural product that is effective in lowering IOP and have fewer side effects might be critical to improving glaucoma

treatment compliance.

One of such natural products is bitter kola. It is colloquially referred to as ‘bitter kola’ because of its typical distinct bitter taste. In Africa, bitter

kola is prevalently used for traditional hospitality and serves a variety of roles in the treatment of several ailments including coughs, colds, voice

hoarseness, aphrodisiac and liver diseases.

Studies have found Bitter kola has blood pressure lowering effects. It has also shown potential utility for fighting virulent diseases, including Ebola,

by halting viral replication. Also, there is significant scientific evidence suggesting that bitter kola is safe in humans at the normal consumption level.

The IOP-lowering effect of applying its water solution has been demonstrated in both animal and human studies, including a recent randomized clinical trial

which examined different IOP-lowering medications. 

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Why Women Use Herbal Medicine More Than Men In Nigeria

Experts have found that usage of traditional medicines varies across ethnicities in Nigeria, with the most common reasons for its usage among adult women

being fever (40 per cent) and Jedi-jedi/pile (29per cent).

In a new study, researchers found a high rate of traditional medicine usage (81.6 per cent) for multiple reasons among women living in a major urban centre

in Nigeria, with the Igbo and Hausa ethnic groups less likely to use traditional medicine than their Yoruba counterparts.

The Igbo ethnic group was four times less likely to use traditional medicine than the Yoruba ethnic group while those belonging to the Hausa ethnic group

were about half as likely to use traditional medicine as the Yoruba group.

The study, which suggests that affordability may not be the major factor in women’s decision to use traditional medicines said educated women were less

likely than their non-educated counterparts to have used traditional medicine, with the biggest effect seen in women with secondary education.

The study entitled ‘Traditional medicine usage among adult women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study’ published in the March edition of BMC Complementary

Medicine and Therapy.  It aimed to identify the prevalence of and determinants of traditional medicine use among healthy adult women.

It had involved 748 adult women who were recruited from the communities in the city of Ibadan from 2013 to 2015. These were healthy controls for the Nigerian

The Yoruba participants were mainly recruited from the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, where recruitment was done by house visits. The Hausa

participants were recruited from communities in Sabo. The Igbo and other ethnic group participants were recruited from Aleshiloye market, a major market

in Ibadan.

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A structured questionnaire was created to collect data on rates of traditional medicine use and demographic factors such as age, education, ethnicity,

and occupation.

Six hundred women (81.6 per cent) reported having taken traditional medicine and 135 (18.4 per cent) reported not having ever taken traditional medicine.

The reasons for taking traditional medicine were varied, with the most commonly reported reasons being fever (40 per cent) and Jedi-jedi/pile.

Of those who took traditional medicine, only a minority reported taking it every day (14.3 per cent). Rather, the most frequently reported frequency of

use was less than once a week (36.5 per cent), with 31.1 per cent of those women taking traditional medicine less than once a week.

Most strikingly, ethnicity, education and weight change remained significant predictors for traditional medicine use. There was also a positive relationship

between traditional medicine use and weight loss, with women who reported significant weight loss over the past year significantly more likely to use traditional

medicine than those whose weight had not changed, and even more so than those who had gained weight.

They declared, “As Ibadan, the site of this study, is a majority Yoruba city, individuals from other ethnic groups are most likely immigrants from other

areas. This precludes us from generalizing our conclusions to the general Hausa or Ibo populations, as there may be differences between minorities who

immigrated to Ibadan and those who stayed in their hometown.

“In addition, when income is included in the regression model, the significance of ethnicity decreases and suggests that income differences among the ethnicities

may account for some of the differences in traditional medicine usage. However, it is important to note that the effect of ethnicity remained significant

even after controlling for factors such as education, income, and occupation.”

They, howevr, declared since it is possible that beliefs towards health and illness differ among the ethnic groups, thus affecting attitudes and usage

of traditional medicine, further studies are needed to investigate the reasons behind these differences.             

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Burantashi Is Good For Sexual Performance But Also Has Side Effects - Researchers

It is sold by many Hausa traders in major cities across Nigeria, especially in areas with heavy traffic.  Funny enough, these “abokis” are patronised by many high society ladies who buy it for their partners. Men also patronise them and keep these aphrodisiac hawkers in business.

 

In Lagos for example, burantashi and other aphrodisiacs are hawked near big malls and at almost all the petrol filling stations, cinemas, hotels, street corners, post offices within the metropolis.

 

Some call it Hausa Viagra or Hausa paraga because they claim it helps them to last longer in bed, relieves impotence in men, cures erectile dysfunction and weak erection, brings sexual satisfaction and is a good cure for low sperm count. And it is natural, so with less side effects.

 

Now, researchers at the University of Benin, Benin City, say although it enhances sexual performance, it could have a negative impact on the quality of sperm produced.

 

Test in animals showed that although burantashi does not affect sperm concentration and motility, its continuous usage, can increase the number of abnormal sperm per ejaculate and as such may also pose a threat on fertility.

 

Derived from the bark of the African tree Pausinystalia johimbe (Yohimbe in English), burantashi reputed as a herbal aphrodisiac or sex enhancer is called agbo idagbon in Yoruba.  It is also sprinkled on suya, a peppery beef barbecue.

 

The burantashi tree was nicknamed “love tree” and the bark extract was inserted into delicious little candies. These “love candies” as they were appropriately named, were a popular gift among European lovers.

 

Apart from its aphrodisiac properties, it is also used to treat fever, cough, exhaustion or as an energy booster, chest pain, skin disorders and inflammations.

 

Burantashi is also used as a mild stimulant to prevent drowsiness, a general tonic, a remedy to increase the clarity of the voices of singers during long festivals and as a treatment to increase the resilience of hunting dogs.

 

The researchers in the 2020 edition of the journal, Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences, had studied the impact of burantashi on the structure of the sperm in adult male Wister rats and mice.

 

For the study, 54 male Wister rats broken down into six rats in each group with the control group as a model of comparison. Burantashi was administered orally to the rats at 200mg and 400mg concentrations for 14 days, 28 days and 48 days respectively.

 

Afterwards, the rats were killed and their sperms extracted and assessed for any possible abnormalities in their structure.

 

Noticeable significant changes in the sperm were observed with 200mg and 400mg of day 14, 28 and 48 even as the concentration and dose of burantashi used increased.

 

The abnormal changes ranged from headless, tailless, short tail, big head and double tail sperm cells. However, headless and tailless sperms occurred more.

 

They declared, “The fact that burantashi enhances sexual performance doesn’t mean it does not have any effect on the sperm cell quality as observed in this study.”

 

Due to the widespread usage of burantashi amongst the males in Nigeria, there seems to be a connection between its usage and infertility, as some studies portend its usage and the link with infertility and sperm cell quality amongst sexually active males.

 

In comparison with previous studies, the researchers said that although burantashi may not affect the sperm cell concentration and motility at a short exposure, its prolonged use and at high doses causes extensive damage to the sperm’s structure.

 

Conversely, in another study, researchers suggested that indiscriminate consumption of burantashi for a long duration is able to cause liver damage.

 

In 2014, the researchers in the Nigerian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology had examined the effects of burantashi on the liver of albino rats at varying concentrations. They found that it caused impaired liver function with increased amount used. 

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Herbal Medicines Can Cure COVID 19 But... - Experts

            

     

A public health expert and virologist at the University of Lagos, Professor Sunday Omilabu, has said that like other viral diseases, a cure for COVID-19 may be in medicinal plants and will only require that such undergo multi-centre clinical trials to ascertain their efficacy and toxicity before they are included in the treatment of people with the disease.

 

Professor Omilabu, who spoke at a virtual meeting with the theme ‘Antiviral Herbal Remedies: COVID-19 in Focus’ by the Model Herbal Clinic, University of Lagos, to commemorate the second decade of African Traditional Medicine Day, said there are many herbal remedies for many illnesses and a viral disease like COVID-19 would not be an exemption.

 

He stated that a challenge to such an antiviral herbal treatment would include determining its dosage, its active ingredients, mechanism of action and possible interactions with other organs of the body before it could be fully adopted for the treatment of individuals with COVID-19 infection.

 

According to Professor Omilabu, although diseases are emerging and re-emerging in the world and the risk of emergence is most likely from coronaviruses, arboviruses and influenza viruses, the threat of COVID-19 is global, but the answer is local.

 

He declared that stopping epidemics like COVID-19 in the future would require governments anticipating and preparing to stop the next emerging pandemic at the origin as well as funding research on reemerging viral diseases.

 

Director, Indigenous Knowledge-based Technology Innovation unit, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa, Dr Aunkh Chabalala, in his keynote address stated that work is ongoing on 20 herbal remedies with different formulations for COVID-19 in South Africa.

 

According to him, the emphasis of researchers is on developing antiviral therapies and immune modulators that can work in singly or in a combination as well as nutritional supplements to treat COVID-19.

 

Dr Chabalala declared that a clinical study of an antiviral herbal remedy is soon to start in South Africa.

 

He, however, stressed the need for African countries to support the development and research into traditional medicine as well as expedite the registration and inclusion of herbal medicines into the essential medicine list so that they can be used in various health facilities.

 

Dr Chabalala said commercializing herbal medicine would also require that a good manufacturing practice be developed for the products because African countries bear the highest-burden of many diseases.

 

Board Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) Professor Adebukola Adefule-Ositelu stressed the need for an increase collaboration between traditional medical practitioners and conventional medical practitioners to ensure sustainable health.

 

Acting Head of Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Lagos, Mrs Adeola Adegun said the theme was chosen to draw attention to the need for research and development on herbal medicine with the rising impact of COVID-19 in Africa.

 

She said it was time for Africa to bring ideas and best practices from traditional medicine to tackle this challenge and also promote traditional medicine.

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Is Waterleaf A Better Substitute For Ugwu In Boosting Blood Level?

VEGETABLES constitute essential components of the diet by contributing nutrients and food properties that are important to human health. Increasingly, many people are turning to vegetable to also boost body immunity and blood levels.

Several researchers have reported the consumption of Ugwu (Telfairia occidentalis or fluted pumpkin) leaves for its ability to boost blood levels. But surprisingly, experts in a new study named waterleaf a better blood tonic than ugwu leaf.

Ugwu is a crop eaten for its medicinal benefits. It is used in the treatment of convulsion, taken to boost breastmilk production, immunity and fertility. It also has liver-protective properties as well as lowers cholesterol level.


Waterleaf, known as Gbure (Yoruba), Nteoka/inene(Igbo) and Alenyruwa (Hausa) is used as condiment, sauce, spice, softening of soups and for flavouring in foods. The leaves have been reported used in the management of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and obesity.

According to folk medicine, waterleaf has been reported to be effective in the management of polyuria, internal heat, measles, gastrointestinal disorders, liver ailments and cancer.

Traditionally, there is a high focus on the ugwu leaf for its blood-boosting benefit but consumption of water leaf for its blood-boosting potential did not gain maximum attention.


This study designed to compare the blood building properties of waterleaf and ugwu was in animals. Fifteen Wistar rats were used in this study. They were grouped into three of five rats each. The 2019 study was reported the journal, Acta Scientific Nutritional Health.

Group 1 served as the control, group 2 and 3 were treated with ethanolic extracts of ugwu and waterleaf respectively for 28 days. Their blood samples were tested for haematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration.


The result showed that both plants increased these blood parameters when compared with control animals. However, the packed cell volume, red blood cell and platelets of animals treated with waterleaf were significantly higher than those treated with ugwu.

Also water leaf has a better ability to attack and destroy invading bacteria, viruses and other injurious agents than ugwu leaf. It is also better in thrombopoietin production as well as blood clotting potential than the leaf extract of ugwu.


They added: “It is, therefore, possible that the consumption of both plants by humans can help prevent anaemia, especially in menstruating and pregnant women.”


Although the study justified the use of both plants as a blood tonic, they said rather than focus on the leaves of ugwu to boost blood levels, waterleaf could be a better substitute. The 2019 study was in the journal, Acta Scientific Nutritional Health.


Previously, researchers have reported jute leaf (ewedu in Yoruba, Ahihara in Igbo) as another vegetable to boost the body’s blood production.

Like ugwu leaf, jute leaf also contains minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, ascorbic acid and carotene. It is used traditionally for the treatment of dysentery, fever and gonorrhoea.

Also, researchers had said daily intake of Justicia carnea can offer a rich supply of iron and vitamins to boost blood level. They proved that Justicia carnea leaves possess blood-boosting properties more effective than many medicinal plants and well known Western blood tonics.  It is commonly called Hospital Too Far or Blood of Jesus but generally considered as an ornamental plant.


Using animal models, the researchers in the 2019 study published in the journal, Biomedical Research corroborated that its leaf possesses blood boosting and replenishing properties that enabled it effectively restore blood levels to normalcy within every a short period of treatment.

According to them, significant reductions in the levels of blood levels observed in anaemic rats were significantly reverted within four to eight days of treatment with the extract.

A good number of medicinal plants have been traditionally employed in alleviating anaemic condition. Some of these plants include sorghum bicolor, Psorospermum ferbrifugum (Christmas berry), Jatropha curcas (Physic Plant) and Flacourtia flavenscens (Indian plum).


Moreover, foods that are rich in iron and vitamins are also used to beat anaemia and boost blood levels. These include beans, pigeon peas, spinach, green leafy vegetables, fish, oysters, and organ meat, such as kidney and liver.

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