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Erectile Dysfunction, also termed impotence, refers to the inability to obtain or maintain an erection that is firm enough or lasts long enough to have satisfactory sexual intercourse. The problem affects almost all men at one time or another in their lives and is emerging as one of the most serious life style and stress related diseases. While erectile dysfunction often devastates those affected by it, out of fear, embarrassment, or countless other reasons, few men seek treatment. Over exertion, physiological disturbances, lowered level of hormones and strained relationship with partner are the main causes for this disease.

However, the problem is almost always treatable. It has definite physical and/or psychological causes. It is not a “natural” consequence of ageing nor is it “all in your head.” Most importantly, erectile dysfunction is not a condition you should accept or learn to live with. Most men who seek help benefit from treatment.

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Ayurveda describes physiology of erection and ejaculation as follows:

Vrishunow basthimedram cha naabhyuuru vankshnow gudam |
Apaanasthaanamantrasthaha shukra mootra shakrunti cha ||

The apaana vayu one of the five types of vayu is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groin, anus and colon. Its functions are ejaculation of semen, voiding of urine and stools.

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As per Ayurveda “when a man has desire (ichcha) to have sex, his response to touch increases. Vayu located in skin causes flow of signals from skin to brain, thus causing sensation of touch. This causes arousal or harsha. Harsha intensifies actions of vayu and at this moment highly active vayu liberates the teja or heat of pitta. Thus tejas and vayu increase body temperature, heart beat and blood flow causing erection.”

“yatha payasi sarpistu goodashchekshow raso yatha
shareereshu tatha shukram nrinaam vidyaadhbishagwara”

This means the shukra (the element which helps in reproduction) is present all over the body. But the cream of shukra (semen) comes out of the body only during the process of ejaculation, which needs a joyful union of mind and body. Decrease in production of shukra causes erectile dysfunction.

According to Ayurveda, the total treatment for Erectile dysfunction or Impotence is called as Vajikaranatherapy.

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Vajikarana or Vrishya chikitsa is a one of eight major specialty of the Ashtanga Ayurveda. This subject is concerned with aphrodisiacs, virility and improving health of progeny. In Sanskrit, Vaji means horse, the symbol of sexual potency and performance thus Vajikaran means producing a horse’s vigor, particularly the animal’s great capacity for sexual activity in the individual.

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Vajikarana chikitsa requires living in strict compliance to the directions mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. It involves various methods of shodhan (body cleansing) through vaman (emesis), virechan (purgation) and swedan (sweating). After the Shodhan therapy, based on the prakriti of the individual’s imbalance (doshic body constitution-Tridosha theory), certain herbal and herbo-mineral combinations are administered. Other components in the therapy involves improving health and pleasure in general like, massaging with medicated herbal oils and herbal baths, wearing of fragrant garlands, anointing the body with fragrant herbal pastes, listening to music, etc.

Vajikarana therapy is said to revitalize all the seven dhatus (body elements), therefore, restores equilibrium and health. Keeping in mind the concept of vajikaran as described in the texts of Ayurveda, it definitely offers a solution to minimize the shukra (sperm and ovum) defects and to ensure a healthy progeny

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