Viagra And Tongkat Ali Extract – A Comparison
Erectile dysfunction is a sensitive subject that even longstanding sexual partners are hesitant to discuss. Of course, if you have a television, you, your spouse and children are well aware of the pharmaceutical company remedies for this condition.
Names like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are now commonplace in western cultures and around the world. In the U.S. these are prescription medicines that require authorized use by a licensed physician. These products act similarly. Pfizer’s Viagra is the most popular pharmaceutical treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Viagra is an oral medication that is also used to help lower blood pressure. The chief ingredient is sildenafil citrate, described as a selective inhibitor of cyclic guano sine monophosphate and specifically phosophodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). In its true form, sildenafil citrate is a white powder with a solubility of 3.5 mg/ml in water and a molecular weight of 666.7.
Viagra is marketed as a blue diamond shaped tablet in various strengths. Prescriptions range from 25 mg, 50 mg to 100 mg for oral applications. The brand product contains several other inactive ingredients, including microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, lactose and magnesium stearate as well as others.
The most common side effects of Viagra have been identified as headache and flushing, dyspepsia, nasal congestion, urinary tract infection, abnormal vision, diarrhea or dizziness. There have been serious cardiovascular events connected with the use of Viagra. Patients using nitrates should not use the drug. Most of these cardiovascular events occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Generally, these events occur during or shortly after sexual activity.
The most common dosage of Viagra is 50 mg. The medicine is most effective when taken one hour prior to sexual activity. However, patients have reported success with the medication when taken as much as four hours prior to intercourse. In some cases, physicians increase the dosage to 100 mg. In any case, the drug should not be used more than once per day.
Tongkat Ali Extract
Tongkat Ali extract is a diverse, natural medicine. For centuries, Southeast Asian physicians have used the Tongkat Ali extract to treat an assortment of health conditions, such as fever, irregular heart rate, fatigue, poor memory and low sex drive.
Studies have revealed that properly administered extract will serve as an aide in building muscle mass and for bodybuilding. Tests supporting these results were documented in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in their 2001 research report. This release prompted a high demand for the extract.
Other research performed at the Malaysian Institute and by ZRT Laboratories indicates that Tongkat Aki extract is an excellent natural alternative to sildenafil citrate as a booster of male testosterone over prolonged periods.
The only reported side effects are full-body flushing due to increased blood flow and occasional headaches if the dosage is too strong. The proper administration of Tongkat Ali is called cycling. Unlike the one-hour lead-time for Viagra-like products, Tongkat Ali is taken at regular intervals on a set schedule.
Cycling refers to the “on – off” use of the extract. The most popular cycle is five days on and two days off before beginning the process again. Tongkat Ali does not affect all users the same way. Individuals should develop the cycling pattern that works best for them. Most consumers begin with the 5 days on two days off cycle and adjust from there.
The strength of the herbal extract is described in four basic units:
* 1:50 means that 50 grams of root is used to produce one gram of extract
* 1:100 – 100 grams of root = one gram extract
* 1:150 – 150 grams of root = one gram of extract
* 1:200 – 200 grams of root = one gram of extract
Users should take a minimum of two capsules but no more than 10 capsules during the on cycle.
There are two basic methods of manufacturing the extract. The traditional method is the water extraction method. Recently manufactures have converted to an alcohol-based extraction process.
Tongkat Ali extract improves the libido, raises the testosterone level and in general improves the performance of the sexual organs. Tongkat Ali extract overrides the negative feedback to the pituitary gland allowing for substantially increased testosterone levels. Taken on a regular basis, males are prepared for intercourse whenever they choose.
For bodybuilding, improved overall health and increased sex drive and performance, Tongkat Ali is the most effective natural remedy. Perhaps, that is why westerner cultures often, but inappropriately, term the herbal extract Asian Viagra.
