Wonder herbs that cure infertility in men!

SADE OGUNTOLA (Nigeria)

Last week, we published a special report on male infertility and why the husband is sometimes responsible for the couple’s barreness. Today, SADE OGUNTOLA, in this report, unearths common herbs that had been tested and noted to aid and/or help boost sperm count and generally cure infertility in men.

HAS your sex life become dull due to infertility or sexual energy problems? Do you and your partner feel frustrated and even less confident than usual because of the pressure to raise a family?

Several studies have shown that the number of couples unable to achieve pregnancy is on the rise. Indeed, more men are firing blanks as a result of low sperm count and quality. Sometimes, the causes of low sperm count are infections (particularly chlamydia, gonorrhoea and tuberculosis).  The infections, according to experts, affect the quality of semen by damaging the gonads.

But there are many natural herbal and nutritional aphrodisiacs that enhance sexual drive and pleasure in both men and women, increase libido, improve sexual performance, blood flow, boost fertility, increase force and intensity of ejaculation.

Herbal medicines play a vital role in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the remote areas of Africa where clinics and hospitals are sparsely located. Herbs that contain chemical substances that destroy germs of bacterial origin are, therefore, relevant in the management of male infertility.

Cissus populnea and Sesamum radiatum are two tropical medicinal plants used to correct male infertility factor in South-Western part of Nigeria. Cissus populnea is commonly referred to as Ogbolo or Ajara in Yoruba or Daafaaraa in Hausa. All parts of Cissus populnea are mucilaginous, yielding a viscous sap, from its freshly cut stems. Similarly, Sesamum radiatum is commonly referred to as beniseed. It is called ekuku–gogoro  in Yoruba, ridi in Hausa) and beni or gingelly in English.

Experts’ evaluation of these herbs showed they have antimicrobial activity, which may cure some sexually transmitted infections that could be responsible for male infertility.

An investigation on these herbs used in folkloric medicine to treat male infertility in the 2009 edition of Research Journal of Medicinal Plant revealed that the essential oil from the stem powder of Cissus populnea and the leaves of Sesamum radiatum prevented the growth of several germs of bacteria origin and as such may correct male infertility factor arising from bacterial infection.

The study entitled “Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from the Stem Powder of Cissus populnea and the Leaves of Sesamum radiatum, Herbal Medications for Male Infertility Factor” was carried out by Osibote, E.A.S., M. Ogunlesi, W. Okiei, T. Asekun and O.B. Familoni, all from the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos.

The researchers wrote, “Our study on eleven bacterial samples and the bioactivity of the essential oils from the two plants on several of these micro-organisms shows that these essential oils have broad-spectrum antibacterial agents which may be useful in inhibiting the growth of some micro-organisms which can be causative agents of infertility in male subjects.”

Meanwhile, Professor Dayo Oyekole, President-General Holistic Lifecare International, a consortium for the production and marketing of natural medicines, corroborated the usefulness of the root of Cissus populnea (ogbolo) in the treatment of male fertility.

Oyekole, a professor of epidemiology and former chairman, Oyo State Advisory Board on Traditional Medicine, stated that the treatment of infertility using the root of Cissus populnea was based on the signature principle.

The doctrine of signature indicates that when a particular substance looks exactly like a structure that is to be healed in the body, that substance would work directly on it.

Professor Oyekole stated: “The slimy substance that comes out from the root of Cissus populnea looks like the sperm from a man. So it is assumed that it will work directly and, of course, it is working. When a man takes it, it boosts sperm maturation and the output of the testes. This invariably improves the sperm count. Once sperm count is improved, the chance of conception taking place is higher.”

Ironically, Cissus populnea is also used to hasten labour in pregnancy. “When a woman is at the ninth month of pregnancy, the herb is used to prepare a special soup for her to take to ease labour,” he said.

Many plants exist that can be used to boost sperm count and even treat premature ejaculation. One of such, according to the herbal expert, is Corchorus Olitorius, broom weed or jute plant. It is commonly referred to as ewedu in Yoruba,  ahingbara in Ibo and etiyon in Efik.

Indeed, to improve sperm count, Professor Oyekole recommends cooking freshly harvested leaves and drinking it like soup. The leaves can also be dried and powdered and then mixed with powdered plantain. The powder is to be licked and washed down with water.

Conversely, a handful of freshly harvested Corchorus Olitorius is crushed with one tumbler-full of clean water. After filtering, the water-extract is taken twice or once daily to promote sperm production.

Another recipe includes the consumption of common pepper. This pepper, referred to as ata ijosin in Yoruba, is supposed to be made into a powder, mixed with honey and licked to boost sperm production.

Other herbs that have been found very useful in correcting some of the males’ reproductive failure include: Mistletoe and Aframomum melegueta (commonly called alligator pepper). Experts in a 2012 study, which was published in the journal, Andrologia, stated that aqueous extract of dry seeds of Aframomum melegueta increase the secretions of epididymis and seminal vesicle, which are accessory sex organs.

Ironically, A. melegueta is also used to boost sexual arousal and for the treatment of sexual weakness and sexual impotence in the West, Central and Littoral regions of Cameroon.

Cochlospermum planchonii has numerous therapeutic benefits and its root is widely used in folklore medicine of many African countries to treat infertility problems. It is called “N2  Dribala” (Fulani), “Rawaya” or “Kyamba” (Hausa), “Abanzi” (Igbo) and “Gbehutu or Feru” (Yoruba).

A study reported in the 2012 edition of African Journal of Biotechnology indicates that under laboratory conditions, its roots enhance the fertilizing ability of sperm cells.

Concluding, the researchers, who included D. O. Ochalefu and A. Ibrahim, all from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, wrote: “The increase in the sperm parameters as observed in the present study seems to justify the folkloric use of the extract in treating male infertility.”

Many other substances have been suggested as treatments for poor sperm function and infertility, including the Mucuna pruriens,  commonly called cowhage or velvet bean. It is known as werepe in Yoruba and agbala or agboloko in Igbo. The velvet bean plant has been used by scientists in the biochemistry department at the Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) to treat a number of male infertility cases using specific doses of seeds from the plant.

 In another study, oral intake of the seeds in 56 human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and post-coital satisfaction after only four weeks of treatment.

The seed also has fertility promoting and spermatogenic effects (induces formation and development of spermatozoa) in human males, being able to improve sperm count and motility.

Zinc is very beneficial for men who have problems with infertility. It increases sperm count and boosts the testosterone production. Zinc can be taken as supplement and can be found in foods like oysters.

Conversely, extracts of sesame plant, bitter leaf, bitter kola and Kigelia africana (sausage tree) could be effectively used to boost sperm count.

A recent study found that sesame leaves improve epididymal (sperm duct) sperm reserve with larger spermatocytes (sperm cells) being produced in a dose related manner through a complex hormonal interplay.

The study entitled: “ Sesame leaves intake improves and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male Sprague Dawley rat,” was published in the August 2007 edition of the journal Scientific Research and Essay.

Source-www.tribune.com.ng