Thread: Why Ijebu chewing stick is nature’s Viagra

By Sade Oguntola

When next you are thinking of a solution to poor libido, you might as well give that popular chewing stick sold next door a trial. Rather than just chewing to maintain a clean mouth, some Nigerian scientists say chewing Massularia acuminata stem, the popular pako ijebu in Yoruba or atu-uhie in Igbo can do the magic too.


For many years people have searched for ways to achieve sexual pleasure, sexual health and sexual techniques. This has led to the development and use of different substances known as aphrodisiacs to arouse or increase sexual drive or libido. Substances often used as aphrodisiac cross the blood brain barrier and mimic or stimulate some areaof sexual arousal in the central nervous system.


The study that sought to assess the potential use of this common chewing stick in the2008 edition of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology was done by Dr. Musa Toyin Yakubu from the University of Ilorin in collaboration with Musbau Adewumi Akanji; Adenike Temidayo Oladiji and Ayoade Abdulfatai Adesokan.

In the study, the researchers tried out the effectiveness of the chewing stick water extract in male rats for 21 days.


The male rats were divided into four groups: A, B, C and D. Group A, the control drank had distilled water (the vehicle) while groups B, C and D were orally administered with 1 ml each corresponding to 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the plant extract, respectively for 21 days. The rats were then sacrificed 24 hours after the first, seventh and 21th days for assessment.


The researchers found that compared with the control group, the chewing stick extract in all the doses produced significant increase in testes–body weight ratio, cholesterol, testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations throughout the period of administration.


“The available evidence in this study suggests that aqueous extract of Ijebu chewing stick (Massularia acuminata) stem has androgenic potential, which may stimulate male sexual maturation and enhance normal testicular function, “they wrote.


Meanwhile, many medicinal plant formulations in several African countries like Zimbabwe can also serve Viagra purposes as well. One of such formulations is that made from roots of mondia whitei (white’s ginger), bark of ekebergia capansis (cape ash) and pumpkin seeds that are shade-dried and then ground into a fine powder. In Yoruba land mondia whitei is referred to as Isirigun, Gbolo-gbolo or aghuma. Ekebergia capansis is known in Nigeria by such names as oronu and madachi.


In fact, the result of a study that tried this herbal formulation on the sexual behaviour of inexperienced male rats was that its effect on sexual drive was comparable with those treated with testosterone, the male hormone that supports sexual drive.


The results in the May edition of the African Journal of Biotechnology, showed that the higher the amount of the formulation the rats had, the higher their sexual arousability, the lower the interval between the copulation time and the higher the sexual sensation for the rats treated.


They wrote in the journal: “One of the main findings of this study is that the aqueous extract of the dried roots of white’s ginger possesses sex-stimulant properties. Treating the rats with extracts caused a dose dependent decrease in time interval between copulation.”


“The present study further adds to the scientific bases concerning the use of M. whitei, E. capensis, aloe and pumpkin seeds as aphrodisiacs. Ethanol extracts of white’s ginger and E. capensis showed very direct effects in increasing sexual arousability,


better sexual stimulation and increase in copulatory efficiency. Pumpkin seeds and aloe tincture did not show significant effects on sexual arousability. However, cumulative doses showed increased sexual performance and improved copulatory efficiency, which improved sexual sensitisation and stimulation of the subjects.


‘In conclusion, white’s ginger, E. capensis, pumpkin seeds and aloe are a good aphrodisiac combination, which can be used to improve the sex life of many troubled men,” the researchers said.


In addition, some other herbs that folklore suggested may help with erectile function and boosting sexual stamina, libido and performance are horny goat weed, and mucuna pruriens (velvet beans), which sometimes takes several days for the best results but when they actually start working, you will be amazed!


Meanwhile, according to the Handbook of African Medicinal Plants by Professor Maurice Iwu, fresh decoction of this chewing stick plant is used for treating snake bite and scorpion stings. Also, Burkill H. M. in the forth volume of its book, “Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa”, recorded that the bark of the tree, from which this is chewing stick is derived, is used for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, swellings, menstrual cycle problems, treatment of venereal diseases, and prevention of abortion in pregnant women.


In Malawi, the roots are traditionally used for the treatment of urinary tract infections, jaundice and headaches, while the whole plant is used to treat diarrhea. As an aphrodisiac for the treatment of impotence and infertility, men eat the barks of the root or drink the aqueous extract of white’s ginger.


A current review of the role of white’s ginger in reproduction in The Internet Journal of Third World Medicine sums up the scientific evidence supporting white’s ginger as an aphrodisiac.


“There is enough scientific evidence supporting the use of white’s ginger as an aphrodisiac. The evidence indicates that it is able to increase libido by stimulating testosterone production,


increase potency by being able to relax the corpus cavernosum muscle, thus aiding erection, and by improving sperm total motility and progressive motility. White’s ginger can be used as an alternative medicine in the treatment of men affected with low motility sperm (asthenozoospermia) as well as erectile dysfunction.


- odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/3/615.html


Pa j would really like this a lot o.