A deep dive on the dangers of herbal Viagra that is flooding MENA pharmacies and online stores. What is inside of it, risks and dangers associated with it.
One morning, I saw an online ad for herbal “Very Strong Viagra” on a popular internet shopping site in the GCC. I have heard of herbal supplements that “make you strong”. Truth be told, every trip I went on from South America to Asia, there was always someone, somewhere, trying to sell me a herb that will make me “strong”. I never believed those sellers and thought they are mostly lurking on unexpected tourists with superstitious beliefs, and so I dismissed them as folk tales that have no basis. Yet, when I clicked on the ad, I saw pages filled with products of herbal Viagra that were priced low compared to authentic Viagra and surprisingly even lower than its generics. This had me concerned, as there was an article I read earlier about fake Viagra being a dangerous trend on the MENA market. [1]
To learn what herbal viagra is, how it acts, and how it came here I decided to go on a detective journey on the Internet. What I discovered was deeply concerning and thankfully the watchful eye of our police and customs officials have already been cracking down on this issue to keep us safe. [2]
It was surprising to see that a market like that exists, and how easy it is get “herbal Viagra”. The process seemed to be pretty simple and believable, potentially because our generation of men (32 years old and over) in the MENA region grew up around the concept of the Attar, or the Herbalist. These shops were all over in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, however, the Herbalist is no longer in downtown souk with glass jars with strange spices and flowers. You can easily walk into a convenience store or pharmacy nearby, with the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, as you browse the aisles for a late-night snack or some Vitamin C for your cold. Amidst the isles, a small, brightly colored package catches your eye. It's herbal Viagra, promising the potency of youth with the ease of a quick purchase. Right there in front of you. In. addition to that, you can come across this modern-day version of herbalist online and, in your feed, sold and packaged in TikTok and Instagram.
At first glance, it might seem that skipping the doctor's office might would be a relief. You would skip the awkward conversations and sterile environments of the doctor’s office. But unfortunately, these over-the-counter solutions are quite often not what they claim to be. Unlike generic sildenafil (or branded Viagra), which is a product of years of documented research and approval by the FDA and Health Ministries, these herbal magic pills are a loosing gamble. They lack the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, that makes Viagra effective, and if they do contain it, it's often illegally included, as in, they are made in illegal labs with no supervision that poses significant risks to your health and well being. [3]
But what exactly are these herbal pills made of, and why do people believe that they are a good alternative to medications despite their fake or hard to prove efficacy?
The answer lies in a mix of human psychology and marketing. We all grew up with a grandmother or parent that when we got sick gave us some herbal tea that made us feel better. These customs are familiar, and we, in the MENA region are drawn to the idea of a natural remedy. It feels safe, familiar and wholesome. Yet, research has shown, natural does not always equate to safe. If you have a flu, you make a herbal tea to remedy your sneezes and your sore throat, but what if it's diabetes? Or worse. Also, there are many natural elements like mercury or cyanide. While they are natural, they are deadly to human beings. Herbal Viagra often contains supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and L-arginine. These are not inherently harmful in small doses, but their ability to enhance erectile function remains unproven or plain out false. [4]
The main difference we discovered is that Viagra, and other PDE5 inhibitors, have been subjected to decades of research and testing, proving their efficacy and safety. They work by enhancing blood flow towards male genitalia. This is well-understood and documented through years of research, while Herbal Viagra supplements is just based on what some guru said in a remote village somewhere where the factory that makes it is probably located.
When it comes to health decisions, it’s very important to have informed knowledge. It’s even more important to understand the side effects and benefits. Which is why it’s important to consult with healthcare professionals, especially on this topic. Taking the risk of using a herbal supplement is a risk that could lead to significant health damage. Instead, at Laymune we suggest, encourage and provide the solutions to seek verified medical advice and treatments. We believe that that the real path of lasting results is transparency and verified medical judgments.
Another surprising discovery on our journey was a sheer amount of heavy fake marketing for herbal Viagra. These products, often promoted as natural solutions to erectile dysfunction (ED), come with legitimacy of ads, packaging and even social media influencers that promote better health when they are not professionals themselves. After all, many of those social media influencers boast of studies to support their claims. Yet, much like anything that seems real but is in fact not, the closer you examine these studies, the more one would find out that it’s not real. The evidence, when scrutinized, often turns out to be made up and does not stand the trial of evidence-based clinical research, which is what these supplements market and promise. [5]
Moreover ,The FDA, the agency on drug and food safety in the United States, has not granted its seal of approval to any of these herbal pills for treating ED. In fact, despite the occasional marketing of small-scale yet-to-be-proven studies, these products largely remain out of the range of scientific validation. Take, for example, epimedium, commonly known as horny goat weed. While animal studies hint at its potential, the leap from lab rats to human efficacy has not been made or proven yet. [6]
Then there is the legendary Chinese ginseng and ginkgo biloba, everyone has heard of them. They are so popular that both have become staples of traditional medicine, which you can find anywhere. Their reputation is solid, often because someone you know, potentially even your friend, would tell you that he took them and became strong again. Yet when both these supplements have been subjected to the rigors of modern science, they fall flat and fail to deliver results. [4, 6] Yohimbine, is another herbal Viagra alternative. Similarly to all the representatives of the “Herbal Viagra” class, it offers a fake marketing promise and the allure of Chinese traditional medicine, always suggesting that it might enhance sexual desire. But how does it compare to the medically backed and research of proven ED treatment? The answer remains that it does not based on multiple medical experiments and research. [7]
These supplements and their marketing has severe health consequences for people who believe them and take them. Yohimbine in higher doses, for instance, is notorious for its potential to induce high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. [8] This can be deadly to the men that take it. Even though the instances of this have been rare, supplements such as with ginkgo biloba, have caused seizures, particularly in individuals with epilepsy. [9]
Regarding L-arginine, there is a study that was halted prematurely due to unexpected high rate of fatalities in the treatment group. This is a real warning that the dangerous potential of these unregulated supplements for men, especially those with cardiovascular issues, can lead to severe consequences. [10]
Things were so out control in the herbal Viagra market that In 2018, the FDA issued warnings against these products. revealing that some contained undisclosed sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. That means, that the manufacturers of these pills included active Viagra ingredients in their herbal pill to fulfill their fake promise of treating ED. These manufacturers are unlicensed and unsupervised to add any medical active ingredients. This revelation highlights a critical issue: there is a lack of transparency and regulation in the herbal supplement market. Fake drugs are being produced and distributed, giving people false hope. This poses a risk for individuals on medications for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, the interaction with hidden ingredients can be dangerous and be fatal.
For those suffering from ED, the journey can be embarrassing and sometimes the desire for medicine with over-the-counter fix is understandable and recognizable. People want solutions to this problem, and they want it quick. Yet, in reality, as we demonstrated above, these herbal solutions come with uncertainty and risks, some as severe as death.
The right way to solve for this issue is to seek professional medical advice. A healthcare provider can offer a comprehensive evaluation, identifying the correct conditions that may contribute to ED. The professionals will recommend a solution that is specific to your unique situation and can include everything from lifestyle changes to proven medical treatments like sildenafil, tadalafil or others.
Choose a path that prioritizes safety and efficacy. Choose to consult your doctor and learn more about what the right method for you is and remember healthcare professionals are unlikely to endorse these herbal solutions for treating erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation because scientific evidence is nonexistent, and the risks often outweigh any potential benefits.
In conclusion, the journey to addressing ED is not just about finding a quick fix. It's about understanding the personalized situation causing ED for you and the health factors associated with it.
Read other blogs on our website and sign up to our waiting list to be the first to know when we launch our platform to address challenges in men’s reproductive health.
Stay Safe.
References:
[1] https://www.skynewsarabia.com/varieties/1246296-تحذير-صارم-فياغرا-السوق-السوداء-وهذه-أضرارها
[2] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/fake-viagra-putting-patients-lives-at-risk-1.800847
[3] Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Public notification: Herb Viagra contains hidden drug ingredient. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/medication-health-fraud/public-notification-herb-viagra-contains-hidden-drug-ingredient
[4] Niazi Mashhadi Z, Irani M, Kiyani Mask M, Methie C. A systematic review of clinical trials on Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) effectiveness on sexual function and its safety. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2021 Jul-Aug;11(4):324-331. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2021.17813. PMID: 34290964; PMCID: PMC8264219.
[5] Lee HW, Lee MS, Kim TH, Alraek T, Zaslawski C, Kim JW, Moon DG. Ginseng for erectile dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Apr 19;4(4):CD012654. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012654.pub2. PMID: 33871063; PMCID: PMC8094213.
[6] https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/699.html
[7] Wibowo DNSA, Soebadi DM, Soebadi MA. Yohimbine as a treatment for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Turk J Urol. 2021 Nov;47(6):482-488. doi: 10.5152/tud.2021.21206. PMID: 35118966; PMCID: PMC9612744.
[8] Grossman E, Rosenthal T, Peleg E, Holmes C, Goldstein DS. Oral yohimbine increases blood pressure and sympathetic nervous outflow in hypertensive patients. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1993 Jul;22(1):22-6. doi: 10.1097/00005344-199307000-00004. PMID: 7690091.
[9] Gedikli OZ, et al. (2021). Electroencephalographic investigation of the effects of Ginkgo biloba on spike-wave discharges in rats with genetic absence epilepsy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S152550502100425X
[10] Schulman SP, Becker LC, Kass DA, Champion HC, Terrin ML, Forman S, Ernst KV, Kelemen MD, Townsend SN, Capriotti A, Hare JM, Gerstenblith G. L-arginine therapy in acute myocardial infarction: the Vascular Interaction With Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE MI) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2006 Jan 4;295(1):58-64. doi: 10.1001/jama.295.1.58. PMID: 16391217.
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