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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-citrulline3 gBlood flow: longer-lasting supply of arginine
  • L-arginine1.5 gBlood flow: the form used in the Pycnogenol trials
  • Wisconsin ginsengPer labelEnergy and blood flow. Take in the morning
  • 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, and talk to a doctor first if you take blood pressure medication, ED drugs, blood thinners, diabetes medication, or thyroid medication.

Morning

Pycnogenol 50 mg, Wisconsin ginseng, maca, tongkat ali. With breakfast.

Before activity

Citrulline 3 g and arginine 1.5 g, 60 minutes before sex or training. Mornings on other days.

Evening

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

Wisconsin ginseng is American ginseng. The ED trials used Korean red ginseng, a different species, so swap it in if erections are the main goal.

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.