THE MANPLUS INGREDIENTS

DAMIANA was well known to the Mayas as a source of many health benefits, above all as a treatment for asthma. In fact it's name in the Mayan language means "the being who sweeps off asthma". It was also regarded as an aphrodisiac for both men and women, this reputation giving rise to it's botanical name, "turnera aphrodisiaca". It's fame has since spread worldwide and damiana has become one of the world's most researched herbs. There is even a clinical study which validates the aphrodisiac effect, although only on rats. This was a 1999 study in Italy which saw sexually sluggish rats respond positively, although rats already potent were unaffected.

KOLA NUT is the seed of the kola tree, a native of West Africa, where it has been used from time immemorial to allay hunger, prevent thirst, assist digestion, fight fevers, sustain strength and virility, and promote sexual desire. It is also a traditional way of purifying and sweetening water, known to render even putrid water palatable. More recently it has found use as a cardiac stimulant, diuretic, astringent, anti-depressant, a treatment for neuralgia, sea sickness, alcoholism, migraines, diarrhoea, and anorexia, and a stimulant to the central nervous system.

MUIRA PUAMA is native to the Amazon rainforest and has a long history of use as an energy booster, general health improver and remedy for impotence and sexual insufficiency, the latter earning it the common name of "potency wood". Early European explorers noted its apparent qualities and took it back with them to Europe, where it became very widely used especially in Britain. It is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia and is recommended there as a treatment for dysentery and impotence. Scientific studies began in the 1920s and several have reported muira puama to be very effective in improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction.

KNOTGRASS is remarkably widespread, being found almost everywhere. In some places it is regarded as nothing more than a weed, but in others it is well known as a powerful sexual tonic. Used regularly it improves a man's spermatozoa production. In China it is also valued as a general tonic and in fact its name in the Chinese language means "Mr Ho got black hair", this being due to its reputation for preserving youthful looks. It has also found use as a vulnerary and a styptic, the decoction has been administered to kill worms, and made into an ointment it has proven an excellent remedy for sores.

SAVORY is a native of the Mediterranean region and was known to the Romans as an aphrodisiac, the effects being noted particularly on men. This reputation was maintained over the years, although it also came to be known as a general tonic and treatment for lethargy. The Romans brought savory to England and it is mentioned by Shakespeare in "The Winter's Tale". Later the early settlers introduced it to America, the English colonists not wanting to go there without it. Old authorities and modern gardeners both credit savory with providing instant relief when rubbed on wasp and bee stings.

GINGER has a very long and celebrated history, being regarded by Chinese and Indians more than 5,000 years ago as the "universal medicine" with a remarkable number of uses, one of which was a tonic to strengthen male energies and to counter weariness, asthenia and impotence. It has been paised by Confucious and Pliny, mentioned by Nostradamus and the Koran and was common all over Europe by the 11th century. Today the uses of Ginger are still so numerous that it's an ingredient in about half of all herbal remedies around the world.

CINNAMON was referred to as long ago as 2737 BC by the Chinese emperor Shen Nung and became known in China for its aphrodisiacal powers. The ancient Egyptians used it as a spice and a medicine and also as an agent for embalming mummies. In the Bible it is used by Moses for anointments. The Romans used it heavily with Nero the most well known user and Pliny recording that by weight it was about 15 times more valuable than silver. A modern study by Alan Hirsch reports that cinnamon's pungent aroma ranks highly as an aphrodisiac for men.

ANGELICA originated in Syria but is found today mainly in northern Europe. Its name derives from a legend that an angel appeared before a monk and identified the plant as a source of protection against the plague. In the last few centuries European herbalists have regarded it as one of the most important medicinal plants and have used it very widely. As a herb with significant invigorating properties and ability to balance the hormonal system, angelica is ideal for use in stimulating sexual vigour. It's also well known as an enhancer of the circulation, which may have favourable effects for some in the genital area.

GENTIAN is named after Gentius, King of Illyria in the second century BC. According to Pliny, it was Gentius who discovered the medicinal properties of the plant and he recommended it to alleviate malaria and the plague. In fact Gentian is useful for treating conditions of exhaustion or debility resulting from any chronic disease, as it is one of the best known strengtheners of the entire system and came to be regarded as an important general tonic and a booster of performance capability. In the Tyrol there is an old saying that "nobody is as strong as the gentian root".

GUARANA has been a precious substance to Amazon indians for centuries, having many medicinal uses and being a powerful natural stimulator. Today it has become renowned worldwide for fighting fatigue and increasing stamina and physical endurance. Western science has validated these reputed effects and many other claims traditionally made for it, the key ingredients of guaraná being caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, all of which have been extensively researched. A study in 1997 reported that guaraná increased physical activity of rats and improved their physical endurance under stress.

GINSENG is native to China and is extensively cultivated in China, Korea, Japan and Russia. It has a very ancient and celebrated history and today almost needs no intoduction at all as it is the best known, most studied and most widely used medicinal herb in the world. Ginseng has accumulated much folklore regarding its various actions and uses, but modern pharmacology acknowledges many of its reputed effects, including its famed tonic and invigorating actions, and therefore confirms the Eastern traditions concerning the herb. It's safe to say that no herbal tonic is complete without it.

DOG ROSE is one of the many species of wild rose found in the countryside and is common throughout Europe. In the Middle Ages it was widely used in folk remedies for chest problems and has long been famous asa source of nutrition, particularly vitamin C of which it contains more than any other commonly available fruit or vegetable. Long established uses include help for gout and rheumatic complaints, for kidney and bladder inflammation and for various digestive problems. Dog Rose has a particular use in the Manplus formula as it facilitates the body's absorption of the other ingredients.

SPIRULINA is a blue-green aquatic alga and the most nutritious plant ever discovered. It's cultivation in the Lake Chad area of Africa and the Lake Texcoco area of Mexico is said to predate recorded history. The Aztecs harvested it and regarded it as an remarkable food, the WHO has called it one of the greatest super foods on earth and NASA considers it an excellent concentrated food for astronauts. Spirulina is popular with athletes because it provides long-lasting energy and reduces recovery time, but anyone who is weary can benefit from these qualities, including those with asthenias of a sexual type.

GREEN TEA was attributed immense health benefits by the Chinese "Book Of Tea" published in 780, its author Lu Yu being accorded divine status as the "patron saint" of tea. In 1211 "Tea Drinking Is Good For Health" by Eisai Myoan was published in Japan and advocated tea as a treatment for an truly enormous variety of ailments. Today modern research is providing hard evidence for the health benefits of green tea with hundreds of positive studies being published in scientific journals. They appear to support an ancient Chinese proverb which says "better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one".