INDIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Indian health care industry is rapidly growing and expected to reach over 280 billion USD by 2020 [6,7], however the Indian public health system is still poorly funded [5], and access to medicines and treatments is not always easy and affordable, one of the reasons, in spite not the only one, for many patients to search cures and treatments for their ailments and symptoms in traditional medicinal systems.

Ayurvedic traditional medicine is one of them, and among some of the herbs used to treat common ailments and illnesses we find one, Curculigo orchioides, that deserves special attention for its properties.

CURCULIGO ORCHIOIDES

Family: Hypoxidaceae
Genus: Curculigo
Common name: Xian mao, black musli, Kala musli, Hemapuspi, Talamulika, Mosali [13,19], Golden Eye-grass [19].

Several are the factors for which male population suffer from Erectile dysfunction (ED), among some of them we can cite obesity, stress, hormonal levels, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, oxidative stress...etc. This last one, Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to have a direct link with the occurrence of erectile dysfunction [1].

Recent studies on the subject suggest that there is a direct link between dietary intake of antioxidant and a lower incidence of erectile dysfunction.

FRAGARIA ANANASSA

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Fragaria
Common name: Strawberry

VAJIKARANA HERBS, STRESS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

More and more, stress-related illnesses as coronary heart disease have forced doctors to increasingly recommend the use of stress reduction techniques in its prevention and treatment, as transcendental meditation.

A direct consequence of this is an increase of sexual dysfunction occurrences in male population over developed world, an affection that years ago was less frequent and nowadays is becoming more and more often experienced. Ayurveda, a traditional medicine originated in India but nowadays extended around the world, seems to have in Vajikarana herbs a solution for this.

Vajikarana herbs have been used in Traditional Herbal Medicine in India and other parts of the world for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction, Low libido, Premature Ejaculation and Male infertility, but also for the treatment of mental ailments directly affecting the above-mentioned problems.

Rasayana is defined as any herb, food, or activity which confers youthfulness and cures diseases. If taken in a proper way, Rasayana prevents early aging and keeps the person young and active, both physically and mentally [6].

Watermelon is known for its benefits to increase blood vessels circulation and even increase the libido according to the research performed by Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Centre.

Apparently the effects are due to an amino acid, the citrulline, which helps to relax and it also dilates blood vessels, pretty much the same as other well known medicines. It seems that the citrulline contained in the watermelon can be used directly by the body as scientists from the ARS South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane, Oklahoma.

CITRULLUS LANATUS

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Citrullus
Common name: Watermelon.