Polite Dissent

As reported on CNN.com [editor’s note: link now closed], a recent study looked at several “herbal viagras” available online or advertised in magazines. Some of these “natural medicines” contained actual Viagra (sildafenil), or its close cousin Cialis (tadalafil). These are drugs that are not safe for everyone to take, and drugs that are illegal to prescribe without a medical license. The other preparations contained some combination of yohimbine, ginseng, and/or gingko biloba. These herbs have some definite side effects themselves, and they have no positive effect on erectile tissues. In fact, we were specifically taught in medical school that yohimbine only works because people thinks it works; it has no physical effects on erection.

This study demonstates one of the main problems with herbal and natural medicines: purity. Study after study has shown that herbal preparations rarely contain what they clain too. Some contain too little herb, some too much. And some don’t contain the herb in question at all. Say what you will about conventional medicines, purity is something a patient does not need to woory about. 500 milligrams of amoxicillin, name-brand or generic, contains 500 milligrams of amoxicillin. This is clearly not a claim that can be made about natural/herbal medicines.

Just remember these studies next time you visit a doctor or decide a condition or illness requires treatment. Caveat emptor - buyer beware.