These preparations are usually safe if used as directed on the label, but there is little scientific research to back up some of the claims you may have read there. Just a few shelves away, however, are two herbs I do often recommend for those seeking a sexual boost. Ginseng has a long history and a great reputation. In the Far East it is considered the ultimate sexual restorative for men. Western medicine is just beginning to recognize the reality of its many biological effects.
Asian ginseng has a stimulant effect that can cause restlessness and insomnia in some users.
It can also raise blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure you should use it cautiously. American ginseng does not have these effects, nor does it have the same reputation as a sexual booster in men. The quality of ginseng on the market varies greatly. You can purchase whole dried roots and boil them into teas, or use the liquid extracts and capsules that are available. Buy only standardized products that state ginsenoside content on the label.