← Vitaegis

Vitaegis Vitality

Erections, Libido
& Testosterone

What the evidence says about Pycnogenol, arginine, citrulline, and the herbs sold for male sexual health, and the things that work better than any of them.

Download the PDF

The short answer

Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract, probably helps erections when the problem is mild and vascular. Nearly all of the evidence pairs it with L-arginine, and it takes 1 to 3 months to build up. It does little for libido directly, and no herb matches a prescription ED drug.

The Vitaegis stack

  • Pycnogenol50 mg twice dailyBlood flow: raises nitric oxide production
  • L-citrulline2 gBlood flow: longer-lasting supply of arginine
  • L-arginine2 gBlood flow: the form used in the Pycnogenol trials
  • Korean red ginseng1–3 gErections and energy. Morning. 4–8 weeks on, 1–2 off
  • Wisconsin ginsengTea, as desiredGentler energy. Off days from Korean red ginseng
  • Beets1 cup juice or 2 beetsFood: nitrate the body turns into nitric oxide
  • WatermelonAbout 2 cupsFood: a little natural citrulline
  • Maca root1.5–3 gLibido
  • Tongkat ali200–400 mgTestosterone. 5 days on, 2 off
  • Ashwagandha KSM-66600 mgTestosterone, stress, and sleep. Take in the evening

CautionPycnogenol, citrulline, arginine, beets, and ginseng all lower blood pressure. Never combine with nitrates. Arginine and citrulline can trigger cold sores. Talk to a doctor first if you take blood pressure medication, ED drugs, blood thinners, diabetes medication, or thyroid medication.

Morning

Pycnogenol 50 mg, Korean red ginseng, maca, tongkat ali. With breakfast.

Before activity

Citrulline 2 g and arginine 2 g, 60 minutes before sex or training. Mornings on other days.

Evening

Pycnogenol 50 mg with dinner. Ashwagandha KSM-66 600 mg.

The ED trials used Korean red ginseng, so it leads the stack. Wisconsin ginseng is American ginseng, a gentler, cooling species. Drink it as tea on off days rather than stacking both daily.

Bigger levers than any supplement

  1. 01Get bloodwork and a heart check first
  2. 02Review your medications
  3. 03Ask a doctor about a PDE5 inhibitor
  4. 04Kegels, cardio, and heavy lifting
  5. 05Sleep 7 to 9 hours and lose waist fat
  6. 06Cut alcohol and quit nicotine

Full herb tables, doses, and study citations are in the PDF.

Education only, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. ED can be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so see a doctor before starting any supplement, especially with prescription medication.