February 2002

Some people might say that a good sex life makes life worth living, but research shows that it actually may keep us alive. According to one study, mortality risk was 50% lower in a group with greater orgasmic frequency. Meanwhile, the stresses of modern life, as well as the fact that we are living longer with depleted hormone levels, has elevated sexual dysfunction to a major health concern.


Words from us…

Wayne’s World
One of our biggest creative challenges this month was deciding February’s Wellness Letter topic. We could do something on the heart (ah love!), or sex and libido (ah love!!).  It wasn’t much of a decision. So, what kind of products enhance your success and provide innovative solutions for a better future in these regards? Review your medications carefully if you are on them. Some of those contraindications could very well be your problem. Stay Healthy! now has a very valuable resource at hand for solving your information quest in regards to herbs, vitamins, foods and how they might interact with mainstream drugs. We invested in a computer kiosk complete with printer to access health information along with a list of references backing the material up. This is something folks, and very user friendly with a touch screen activation system. It’s fun, and we invite you to come into Stay Healthy! soon and utilize this new wonderful resource of natural health information. Remember to listen to James Sloane on the Lou Epton Show (each morning from 9 to 11am).  James is on Lou’s show several times per month as his honored guest. For more complete updates, visit our colorful website at www.stayhealthy.info.  
Thank you so much for your patronage. Stay Healthy!

The Evelyn Files…
     Dr. John Lee, M.D. talks about progesterone and libido in his book What The Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause (p.102). According to his research “Libido or sex drive, though mediated by sex hormones, is really a brain function. Specific areas of the brain have been identified…as essential for sexual receptivity…”. Dr. Lee says estrogen primes the brain and progesterone turns on the sex drive. For further information on this subject read Dr. Lee’s books or log onto his web site at www.warnerbooks.com.                        
Good health to you always. Evelyn J

James Sloane answers questions:
       Medications, especially antidepressants and blood pressure may lead to sexual dysfunction. Chemical and hormonal imbalances, as well as stress and certain diseases may also cause sexual dysfunction. The hormone testosterone has been found to play a role in both male and female sexual desire. The herb tribulus terrestris helps to raise levels of this important hormone. A substance produced by the body known as nitric oxide largely controls dilation of the blood vessels in the genital area. Plant sterols and herbs that affect levels of another compound, known as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), will in turn affect the nitric oxide pathway to increase the blood flow to the genital area of both men and women. Increases in blood flow to the genitals in men help the man to get and maintain an erection. In women this increase of blood flow enhances sensitivity of the clitoris. Herbs that help improve blood flow to the genitals include jiaogulan, maca, muira puama, cocoa, forskohlii, chuan xiong, fu pen zi, and gou teng. Increasing levels of dopamine in the brain helps us to achieve that “ in love” feeling, and stimulates the pituitary to form human growth hormone. Cocoa and bupleurum are especially useful for elevating dopamine levels.  – James Sloane

Tarah’s Corner-  Libido is a Latin word that means desire, longing, fancy, or lust.  It refers to an urge, an insistent instinctual force that creates motivation.  In modern times it could be more clearly referred to as your sex drive.  In many cases low libido is caused by stress and lifestyle (unless you have an underlying medical problem.)  Eliminate any unneeded stress in your life.  Don’t let stress control you.  Everyday at the beginning and the end of the day, do something to relax and calm your mind, like meditation or prayer. Stay Healthy! has many products to enhance libido.  We also have a great deal of advice and knowledge on this subject.  But just remember, the answer to a better libido is in your mind.

J.C. Speaking Words of Wisdom
Strong kidney chi, along with a good healthy liver, provides abundant sexual vitality, which to the Orientals is a sign of good health. Any sexual or reproductive malady must be traced to the kidney function. For this reason, Taoist used sexual techniques similar to those used in Tantric yoga to develop the kidney chi and in turn the overall life force. However, sexual abuse is a major cause of kidney degeneration and premature loss of vitality and life. This energy must be developed and preserved. Thus an old Chinese saying: “A fool and his Ching (sexual vitality) are easily parted.” Chi-Kung (internal and external exercises used to build life force) is a great way to maximize health. Also some of my favorite herbs will nourish the blood and strengthen the kidneys, like he sho wu (fo-ti), schisandra, Siberian ginseng, and nettles, to name just a few.
Knowledge applied is wisdom…

Art by NIK