An Integrative Review of Male Sexual Disorders and the Therapeutic Role of Unani Aphrodisiacs

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 03 | Page : 8 15
    By

    Rameez Raja Mallah,

  • Mohammed Shakeel Ansari,

  • Sadiya Farhat,

  • Omara Kaisur,

  1. PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul Jarahat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Ilmul Jarahat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  3. PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul Jarahat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  4. PG Scholar, Department of Ilmul Jarahat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Sexual health is a vital component of overall well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, and psychosocial dimensions. Male sexual dysfunction – including conditions, like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low libido – can significantly impact quality of life and intimate relationships. Aphrodisiacs, derived from the Greek goddess Aphrodite, are substances that stimulate sexual desire and performance. Historically, natural aphrodisiacs have been used in various cultures and include plant-based substances such as Yohimbine, garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa), and Tribulus terrestris. The Unani system of medicine recognizes male sexual health as dependent on Quwat-e-Bah (libido and potency), governed by the functional integrity of the brain, heart, and liver. Disruptions caused by lifestyle stressors, chronic diseases, or psychological factors often manifest in disorders like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie’s disease. Unani literature classifies causes of sexual dysfunction in terms of temperamental imbalances (e.g., excess cold and wetness) and weakened retentive power. Management strategies range from behavioral therapy and counseling to herbal medicines, surgical interventions, and topical applications. Traditional Unani formulations, such as Safoof Mughaliz Mani, play a significant role in managing male sexual dysfunction by strengthening the reproductive faculties and enhancing libido. Modern and traditional approaches increasingly incorporate herbal aphrodisiacs, like Eurycoma longifolia, Avena sativa, and Psoralea corylifolia, due to their efficacy and minimal side effects. Topical therapies using herbal poultices or formulations with vasoactive agents offer less invasive treatment options. With rising global awareness about sexual health and natural therapies, aphrodisiac-based phytomedicine remains a promising, integrative approach to treating male sexual disorders. This review highlights the clinical significance of aphrodisiacs in traditional and modern medicine and emphasizes the potential of Unani therapeutics in improving male sexual health.

Keywords: Male sexual dysfunction, Quwat-e-Bah (sexual potency), erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), Unani aphrodisiacs (Muqawwi-e-Bah), phytotherapy/herbal remedies

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article:
Rameez Raja Mallah, Mohammed Shakeel Ansari, Sadiya Farhat, Omara Kaisur. An Integrative Review of Male Sexual Disorders and the Therapeutic Role of Unani Aphrodisiacs. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 12(03):8-15.
How to cite this URL:
Rameez Raja Mallah, Mohammed Shakeel Ansari, Sadiya Farhat, Omara Kaisur. An Integrative Review of Male Sexual Disorders and the Therapeutic Role of Unani Aphrodisiacs. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 12(03):8-15. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoush/article=2025/view=234539


References

  1. Shaikh I, Tariq M, Chaudhary SS. Aphrodisiacs used in Unani system of medicine. J Biol Sci Opin. 2013;1(3):239–42.
  2. Moreau C, Kågesten AE, Blum RW. Sexual dysfunction among youth: an overlooked sexual health concern. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:1000.
  3. Leeners B, Tschudin S, Wischmann T, Kalaitzopoulos DR. Sexual dysfunction and disorders as a consequence of infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2023;29(1):95–125.
  4. Doornum S, Ackerman IN, Briggs AM. Sexual dysfunction: an often overlooked concern for people with inflammatory disease. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2019;15(12):1235–7.
  5. Sarkar S, Chawla N, Tom A, Pandit PM, Sen MS. A systematic review of Indian studies on sexual dysfunction in patients with substance use disorders. Indian J Psychiatry. 2021;63(4):326–34.
  6. Arfeen S, Bari B, Ahmad F, Khan MN. Clinical validation of Unani pharmacopoeial formulation Majoon-e-Piyaz in Surat-e-Inzal (premature ejaculation). Int J Unani Integr Med. 2023;7(3):4–12.
  7. Chen L, Shi GR, Huang DD, Li Y, Ma CC, Shi M, et al. Male sexual dysfunction: Pathological mechanisms, potential risk factors and herbal drug intervention. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019;112:108585.
  8. da Cruz AC, Guerra NG, de Souza KE, de Castro Eleutério I, da Silva LC, Otoni EG, et al. The action of herbal medicine on the libido: Aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire. Nutrire. 2017;42(1):8.
  9. Zalpour A, Zare E, Nasiri M. Effects of herbal medicines on sexual function and sexual satisfaction among women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod. 2023;18(3):e139654.
  10. Leisegang K, Finelli R. Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review. Arab J Urol. 2021;19(3):323–39.
  11. Asmerom D, Kalay TH, Araya TY, Desta DM, Wondafrash DZ, Tafere GG. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Ethiopia: A systematic review. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6656406.
  12. Leisegang K, Opuwari CS, Moichela F, Finelli R. Traditional, complementary and alternative medicines in the treatment of ejaculatory disorders: A systematic review. Medicina. 2023;59(9):1607.
  13. Xu D, Zhang Y, Bai J, Yuan H, Wang T, Liu J, et al. Botanical drugs for treating erectile dysfunction: Clinical evidence. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1232774.
  14. Waseem Ahmed HM, Siddiqui MA, Quamri MA, Alam A. Unani medicines used in the treatment of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction: A review.
  15. Lowy M, Ramanathan V. Erectile dysfunction: Causes, assessment and management options. Aust Prescr. 2022;45(5):159–63.
  16. Mohamed AH, Mohamud HA, Yasar A. The prevalence of premature ejaculation and its relationship with polygamous men: A cross-sectional observational study at a tertiary hospital in Somalia. BMC Urol. 2021;21(1):175.
  17. Gillman N, Gillman M. Premature ejaculation: Etiology and treatment strategies. Med Sci (Basel). 2019;7(11):102.
  18. Shah A, Nighat A, Ali KA, Jamal A, Fouzia B, Naheed P. Surʻat-e-Inzāl (premature ejaculation) and its management by Unani medicine. J Drug Deliv Ther. 2019;9:60–5.
  19. Anderson D, Laforge J, Ross MM, Vanlangendonck R, Hasoon J, Viswanath O, et al. Male sexual dysfunction.
  20. Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT. Male sexual dysfunction and methods used in assessing medicinal plants with aphrodisiac potentials.
  21. Avasthi A, Grover S, Rao TS. Clinical practice guidelines for management of sexual dysfunction. Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S91–115.
  22. Haghpanah A, Jaladat AM, Atarzadeh F, Hassani A, Akbarzadeh E, Parvizi MM. Topical remedies for the treatment of men’s sexual dysfunction from the perspective of traditional Persian medicine: A review. J Health Sci Surveill Syst. 2024;12(2):99–105.
  23. Chauhan NS, Sharma V, Dixit VK, Thakur M. Plants used for improvement of sexual performance and virility: A review. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:868062.
  24. Unani aphrodisiacs – Elixirs for male sexual disorders. Int J Emerg Technol Innov Res. 2022;9(7):b444–b450.
  25. Determinants and effects Methotrexate on lipid Rebaudiana as sweetening Ketorolac tromethamine tablets.
  26. Ahmad W, Siddiqui JI, Naikodi MA, Usmani QI. Safūf-i Aslussūs: A time-tested polyherbal formulation for the management of premature ejaculation–A comprehensive review. J Drug Deliv Ther. 2024;14(6):191–9.
  27. Naquvi KJ, Ansari SH, Najmi AK. Quality standards of Safoof-e-Muhazzil, an aphrodisiac Unani formulation. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2013;5:513–8.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 12
Issue 03
Received 02/08/2025
Accepted 25/08/2025
Published 26/08/2025
Publication Time 24 Days
79

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics