SOME SLIGHTLY-KNOWN HERBAL APHRODISIACS ON BULGARIAN MARKET

An aphrodisiac is defined as a drug that arouses sexual instinct, induces venereal desire and increases pleasure and performance. Erectile dysfunction or (male) impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus as well as some other factors such as stress, pollution, low-quality food, unhealthy eating habits, tobacco smoking, etc. are the underlying causes of this medical condition. Ethno medicine is an alternative source of remedies nowadays. There are many herbal drugs that have been used by men with erectile dysfunction with changeable success. The aims of the study are to examine three electronic data-bases up to 2012 and to present an overview of the current knowledge on medicinal plants and drugs with aphrodisiac effect as well as to focus on those which are commercially available in Bulgaria. The results of this survey indicate directions for further research on the bio- logically active compounds of these plants. Furthermore, the study of the pharmacological activity will expand and enrich our knowledge and will allow a more precise use of these medicinal plants as aphrodisiacs