Avena Sativa, or Oat Straw, as it has been marketed, is a herb that has also been used to manufacture products such as cereal bars, oatmeal, oatmeal cookies, oat bread and many more. But oat straw in particular has properties that have been in use by herbologists, such as boosting the immune system, antidepressant properties, stress reducing properties, detoxification assistance, a mild boosting of energy levels, assistance in addiction treatments, and others. Oat straw tinctures are known to be very helpful with itchy skin. It has been claimed that oat straw is helpful when cholesterol levels need to be lowered. For body building aficionados, the claim that oat straw may increase the level of free testosterones in the blood seems to be the most significant one.

Damiana is a shrub belonging to the family of Turneraceae. Even though it is a small shrub, it produces aromatic, small flowers. It is generally found in the regions of South America, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. It is also a fruit bearing shrub. The flowers generally blossom in late summer on the damiana shrub. Then the fruits follow. The fruit it bears is quite similar in taste to figs. It emits a smell which is quite similar to the odor of chamomile. The oils present in the shrub are reason behind this odor. It is said to have aphrodisiac properties. Natives of south and Central America use the leaves to make tea. In Mexico, the tea made with damiana leaves is generally drunk with sugar so as to increase the love making ability.

Epimedium, also popularly known as horny goat weed is a genus of herbaceous perennials belonging to the family Berberidaceae. The plant is found to possess aphrodisiac properties. Legend has it that a Chinese goat herder observed and reported increased sexual activity in his heard after it consumed the plant, hence the name. Its active ingredient is icariin. This ingredient has been reported to have a number of effects on the body. It inhibits the degradation of cyclic guanosine mono phosphate cGMP by PDE5 in the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum of the penis. cGMP is the activated form of GMP produced by the release of nitric oxide in the vessels and relaxes the smooth muscle tissue resulting in the improvement in blood flow and erection. It also acts to increase mental faculties.

Fenugreek is called as bird’s foot and is native to India, Ukraine, Mediterranean region and China. The fenugreek seeds have medicinal properties and are used in Indian, Chinese, Greek and Arabian medicine. These seeds can be used powdered or crushed and is applied externally as well as for hives, ulcers, boils and eczema. Fenugreek seeds are good for women to cure hormonal imbalances. Fenugreek seeds have been in use in Indian as well as Middle Eastern Cooking and are useful in curing gastrointestinal spasms and diarrhea. Fenugreek seeds are extensively used in folk medicines to decrease blood sugar and to cure appetite loss, dyspepsia, indigestion, fever, bronchitis, hernia, vomiting, impotence and stomach ulcers. Fenugreek seed show tolerance of glucose and lower levels of blood cholesterol. The fall in blood sugar level is also confirmed by the patients. The ingredients that are active in the fenugreek seed are carbohydrates, fiber, proteins, fixed oils, flavonoid, free amino acids, iron and calcium.

Ginkgo Biloba has been used since ancient times to treat numerous health ailments. In fact, it happens to be one the oldest living trees in the world. Ginkgo biloba owes most of its popularity to its ability to fight the effects of aging. However, this does not mean that this is the sole factor that has made it so popular worldwide. It is used in treating neurological disorders, circulation problems, mental fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. It also helps in improving concentration and memory and even treating hearing loss in elderly people. People suffering from asthma have also experienced great relief with regular use of Ginkgo Biloba extract supplements. Its usage is also apt in relieving cold hands and feet, swelling in limbs, and chronic arterial bondage.

L-Arginine HCL is an amino acid that builds up protein. This essential amino acid has many health benefits when consumed in doses larger than those acquired normally from diet. Average daily dietary intake of arginine is 5.4 grams that just fulfils minimal requirements of body for tissue repair, immune cell maintenance, and protein synthesis. L-Arginine is needed in the body to synthesize nitric oxide. There are many health benefits linked with proper nitric oxide metabolism. Nitric oxide also regulates blood flow. It enables arterial system to retain its youthful elasticity that may treat hypertension. Research shows that L-Arginine supports natural human growth hormone release from pituitary gland. It also supports muscle mass and can reduce body fat.

Macuna Pruriens is also known as Cow-Itch Plant, Kapikacchu, Atmagupta, and Velvet Bean. It is rich in amino acid called L. Dopa which is precursor of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. It helps in improving coordination and sexual performance. It acts as an aphrodisiac and also aids in treatment of nervous system disorders, depression and mental alertness. Macuna Prurien also helps in maintaining the cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also stimulates growth hormone and testosterone level that helps increase muscle mass and strength. It also helps in burning the fat for energy and turning it into lean muscles. It also has a diuretic effect that helps improve the muscle tissue resiliency.

Magnesium, which is a mineral used by the body to help maintain muscles, bones, and nerves. Magnesium is also needed for energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Saw Palmetto , a North American plant is very popular for its extract which comprises of sterols and fatty acids. It has been used by the Native Americans in the treatment of urinary and genital tract along with various other problems related to the reproductive system. The extract from saw palmetto is marketed as an aphrodisiac and since it is also anabolic, it helps in building muscle tissues. Fatty acid is what saw palmetto is made up of such as oleic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid. It is very useful for treating BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) as it reduces the testosterone action on the prostate gland due to which the prostate doesn’t get enlarged and interferes with urine flow. Saw palmetto is very effective in curing chronic bronchitis and bladder inflammation.

Selenium is a chemical element and a trace mineral deemed essential to human nutrition. It is found in many food sources, like beef liver, turkey, chicken breast, roast beef, white bread, whole eggs, rice, oatmeal, pasta, Brazil nuts, tuna and many others. Just recently a correlation between selenium, Vitamin E and cancer prevention has been scientifically proven. This essential trace element nutrient is nevertheless toxic in excessive doses, but is vital as a cofactor where antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase is required. Besides the belief that selenium may have a role in prevention from cancer, it has been observed that population in HIV and AIDS stricken countries where the soil is deficient in selenium have larger outbreaks than areas where selenium is sufficiently present. Other uses, such as in prevention from recurrence of tuberculosis, have been recommended by researchers.

Tongkat Ali Root is a plant in the family Simaroubaceae and genus Eurycoma, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It was used in folk medicine for its antimalarial, antipyretic, antiulcer, cytotoxic and aphrodisiac properties. Tongkat ali is used in supplements for bodybuilders because research claims that it can increase testosterone level but most of the research was conducted on rats and further scientific evidence is needed to confirm its effect on testosterone levels in humans. Some studies also show that it induces apoptosis in breast-cancer cells and is cytotoxic to lung-cancer cells.

Tribulus Terrestris, commonly known as Puncture Vine, has been frequently used in India and China for its medicinal properties. The plant is used mainly in overcoming problems with infertility, erectile dysfunction and to improve libido. In recent times, however, it is being used by athletes to enhance performance. Research carried out on samples suggests that the levels of testosterone and estrogen are increased by its use. The fruit of the plant has also been used as a diuretic and a urinary antiseptic. Other than this, it is also used to treat headaches and problems of the eyes, such as conjunctivitis and weak eyesight. It has been used traditionally to treat people with gout problems. The use of Tribulus Terrestris has shown no adverse side effects.

Zinc is acknowledged as essential to the human organism. It is a trace element found in over a hundred and up to three hundred enzymes. It is the second most important mineral in the body, after iron. Zinc is also defined as an important catalytic agent, which is active in enzymatic reactions such as hydroxilation, which is essential for the protein forming amino acid proline, but also for hypoxia response. Zinc is naturally found in red meat, milk, spinach, nuts, oysters, beans and oats. Low zinc counts can attribute to a weakened immune system, interfere with muscle building, cause diarrhea and all kind of other deficiencies. In body building circles, Zinc is an important supplement, valued for the indirect increment of testosterone and the muscle building role.