ASK DR.TAMER
I understand that octacosanol can improve a male’s sexual performance enormously. What do
you feel about this?
I feel that a lot is still going to depend on the male involved. It is true,though, that octacosanol (which is a natural food substance present in verysmall amounts in many vegetable oils, the levels of alfalfa and wheat, wheat germ, and other foods) has an energy-releasing function, increasing strength and stamina, and in laboratory experiments it seems to improve reproductive disturbances. If you try it, don’t be impatient, it often takes 4–6 weeks for beneficial effects from octacosanol to be noticed. Always keep in mind, too, that an energizing diet of raw or lightly cooked foods, rich in B vitamins and amino acids, will contribute to a good sex life.
I’m an active, happily married forty-five-year-old woman, but my sex drive seems to have stalled. What natural love-life enhancers would you recommend?
Along with following my MVP vitamin regimen , I’d suggest you increase your diet of soy foods. Soybeans are rich in plant estrogens called isoflavones. They can alleviate some of the symptoms of perimenopause that often interfere with sexual desire. You might also want to have your DHEA levels checked. If they’re low, 25 mg. of supplemental DHEA daily could elevate your libido. Additionally, I’d suggest you try the herb damiana, which has the reputation of being a sexual stimulant. Take one capsule 1–3 times daily before meals. Add a little candlelight to the evening and you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
What is Spanish fly and is it really a natural aphrodisiac?
Far from it! Spanish fly is actually cantharides made from the outer skeletons of beetles. It causes itching, but not necessarily for sex. In fact, it’s a poisonous substance that can be anything but a turn-on. It has been linked to convulsions and kidney disorders, and has been reported to make urination virtually impossible, to say nothing of causing men to experience extremely painful erections.
What’s legally marketed in this country as Spanish fly is generally nothing more than dried herbs that are no more potent than parsley. I’d advise saving your money for a romantic dinner. As old-fashioned as it sounds, I feel that a candlelight dinner will beat a beetle skeleton as an aphrodisiac every time.
I’ve been told that there’s something called DMG that is an aphrodisiac. Have you heard of it
and does it work?
I’ve heard of it, but I can’t vouch for its effectiveness. DMG is dimethyglycine, a derivative of the amino acid glycine, found mostly in seeds and grains. It aids in increasing the supply of oxygen to the bloodstream and body tissues. Those touting it as an aphrodisiac say that the increased oxygen in the tissues enhances your sexual response. (Maybe eating those Wheaties™ does work.) Anyway, it is available as a supplement,so you might want to give it a try. It might not be your ticket to ecstasy—but it won’t hurt.
My grandmother used to say that sweet potatoes and carrots were women’s fertility foods. She ate them frequently and had nine children. Was this just coincidence?
Maybe yes and maybe no. Carrots and sweet potatoes (yams) have been found to have chemical structures similar to estrogen—a necessary female fertility hormone. In fact, pregnenolone supplements are made
from wild yam.
A friend of mine told me about a supplement that could boost my energy level, help reverse formation of liver spots, and improve my memory—but I’ve forgotten what it was. Any ideas?
My guess would be DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol). It is a safe, natural substance that can boost acetylcholene, which enhances memory and mental function. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and get right to the brain cells where it’s needed. It is also a very efficient antioxidant. I take a combination formula of DMAE, ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, inositol, and choline daily—and can recommend it highly.
