AYURVEDA CORNER

‘Vajikarana’

A concept of aphrodisiac in Ayurveda

Due to increasing incidences of safety concerns with modern synthetic aphrodisiacs, there is an unmet medical need to have a safe and effective alternative. In recent years, herbal aphrodisiacs have proven to be a safe option. However, the onset of action of herbs as compared to synthetic molecule is a cause of concern for marketers as well as consumers. This difference is due to basic difference in modern versus Ayurvedic concept of aphrodisiac and the respective mechanism of action.

In Ayurveda ‘Vajikarana means ‘that which strengthens the body and mind as a whole by providing essential nutrients’ to seven types of body tissues called dhatus. Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood cells), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (bone marrow and nervous tissues), and Sukra (reproductive tissues)

Thus,the aphrodisiac activity as per Ayurveda includes multiple activities that fortify the body as a whole. This entire process takes more time to demonstrate visible effects.

Modern synthetic aphrodisiacs such as sildenafil inhibit phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) to enhance nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation in the corpus cavernosum. Such fast enhancement in nitric oxide shows immediate onset of action but also causes severe side effects on long term use. Increasing dependency is the major drawback in these molecules due to short span of efficacy. On the other hand, herbal aphrodisiacs provide long lasting strength to organs of the body. It also improves metabolism and helps the body to maintain the homeostasis to cure the sexual disorder from within. Recent research on few Vajikarana herbs reveal that the herbs also possess similar properties to some extent such as nitric oxide enhancement (e.g. Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Curculigo orchioides), dopaminergic activity (e.g., Mucuna pruriens), increase in testosterone levels (e.g., Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna pruriens, Asparagus adscendens). These effects have been demonstrated in preclinical and in vitro studies. To get similar effects in a clinical set up an appropriate dose (approximately 2-4 gm per day) needs to be given. This may be the reason for slow onset of immediate action as an aphrodisiac for poly-herbal formulations. However the ability of these herbs to reinforce the whole body and thereby improving sexual ability in long term without undesirable side effects makes the herbal aphrodisiacs a safe alternative for modern aphrodisiac.