10 natural alternatives to Viagra (2026)

Is there such a thing as natural Viagra for men? You might be wondering this if you’re hesitant to take the real-deal Viagra (sildenafil) for your erectile dysfunction (ED). After all, like any prescription medication, Viagra can come with side effects, and even though most people tolerate these side effects just fine, you might be wondering if there’s a natural alternative available.

The term “natural Viagra” is used to refer to herbs and supplements that might help increase sex drive or blood flow to the penis. But do they work? Remember, anything claiming to be “natural Viagra” hasn’t gone through extensive testing and isn’t approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

With that caveat in mind, below is a list of options that may play a supportive role in sexual health for some individuals. Let’s see what the research has to say.

What it is: Horny goat weed is a supplement historically used in traditional Chinese medicine for low libido, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction.

Does it work?: Horny goat weed has not been proven to treat ED in humans. Most evidence comes from animal and laboratory studies examining its active compound, icariin.

What to keep in mind: Human studies on horny goat weed and ED are limited, so it’s unclear how well it works or how safe it is in humans. 

Some users report side effects like stomach upset, dizziness, or allergic reactions. Because supplements aren’t tightly regulated, the strength and purity of horny goat weed products can vary widely.

Horny goat weed contains a compound called icariin, which has shown Viagra-like activity in lab and animal studies. However, this effect is much weaker than prescription ED medications, and it hasn’t been shown to meaningfully improve erections in humans. 

For now, there isn’t enough high-quality evidence to recommend horny goat weed as a proven treatment for ED.

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What it is: Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an herbal supplement used in traditional East Asian medicine for a range of health concerns, such as fatigue, immune support, and sexual dysfunction, including ED. 

Does it work?: Korean red ginseng has some evidence suggesting it may modestly improve ED symptoms, based on small randomized trials and meta-analyses, but the overall quality of evidence is low, and larger, high-quality studies are still needed.

What to keep in mind: Most studies on Korean red ginseng have been small, short-term, and have shown mixed results. There’s also limited information on its long-term safety or effectiveness. Because supplements vary in dose and formulation, results can differ from product to product.

Korean red ginseng has been studied more than most other herbal supplements for ED. Small, placebo-controlled studies suggest it may offer modest improvements in erection quality and blood flow by supporting healthy blood vessels. Research reviews have found small but measurable benefits compared with placebo, but these studies were short, included relatively few participants, and used different ginseng preparations. 

For these reasons, experts agree that larger, higher-quality studies are still needed before red ginseng can be recommended as a reliable treatment for ED.

What it is: Yohimbe is a dietary supplement made from the bark of an African evergreen tree. Its active ingredient, yohimbine, is sometimes found in supplements marketed for sexual enhancement.

Does it work?: There’s limited evidence that yohimbe helps with ED. Some studies suggest it may offer modest benefit when used alongside other ED treatments, but it hasn’t been shown to work reliably on its own.

What to keep in mind: There isn’t enough high-quality evidence to support yohimbe as a reliable treatment for ED on its own. 

Yohimbe’s active compound, yohimbine, has been linked to potentially serious side effects, including high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, anxiety, headaches, and agitation.

Because dietary supplements aren’t closely regulated, the amount of yohimbine can vary widely between products, which may make side effects harder to predict. 

Yohimbine is thought to affect nerve signals and blood flow involved in erections, and some research suggests it could offer a small benefit when combined with other treatments. However, it hasn’t consistently been shown to work by itself, and due to safety concerns, most experts don’t recommend yohimbe as a first-line or routine treatment for ED.

What it is: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone made by the adrenal glands. It’s also available as a dietary supplement and is often marketed as a way to boost testosterone levels.

Does it work?: Evidence is mixed. Some small studies suggest DHEA may offer modest improvement in ED symptoms, particularly in people with low hormone levels, but many studies show little to no benefit.

What to keep in mind: Most studies on DHEA and ED are small, short-term, and have mixed results. 

One possible cause of ED is low testosterone. DHEA is a hormone the body can convert into testosterone, which is why it’s sometimes promoted for ED. However, research hasn’t consistently shown that taking DHEA meaningfully improves sexual function. Because of limited evidence and potential hormonal side effects, DHEA isn’t routinely recommended as a treatment for ED.

DHEA doesn’t reliably increase testosterone in everyone, especially in people with normal baseline levels. Because DHEA can affect hormone levels, it may cause side effects and isn’t recommended without medical guidance.

What it is: L-citrulline and L-arginine are related amino acids that help the body produce nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Does it work?: There’s some evidence that L-arginine, particularly at higher doses, may improve erectile function in certain people. Results from small studies suggest potential benefit, but findings are inconsistent and not as reliable as prescription ED medications.

What to keep in mind: L-citrulline is the precursor of L-arginine, meaning it gets converted into L-arginine in the body. Research on L-arginine and L-citrulline is limited, and most studies are small with mixed results. Any improvements in ED symptoms tend to be modest.

Higher doses of L-arginine are often required to see any effect on ED, which may increase the risk of side effects such as stomach upset, bloating, or lightheadedness.

Because these supplements can lower blood pressure, they may interact with prescription ED medications, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider before combining them with Viagra or similar drugs.

What it is: Pycnogenol is an extract made from the bark of the French maritime pine tree (Pinus pinaster). It’s thought to support blood vessel function by helping the blood vessels relax.

Does it work?: Evidence is limited. Small studies suggest Pycnogenol may help improve erections when taken with L-arginine.

What to keep in mind: Pycnogenol has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help support nitric oxide production, which plays a role in healthy blood flow involved in erections. Research is limited, though.

Research on Pycnogenol for ED is limited and based on a small number of short-term studies with relatively few participants. In these studies, improvements in erectile function were seen only when Pycnogenol was used alongside L-arginine, not when taken on its own. 

Because supplement doses and formulations can vary between products, results may not be consistent. More high-quality, long-term studies are needed before Pycnogenol can be recommended as a reliable treatment for ED.

What it is: Tribulus terrestris is a plant commonly used in traditional medical systems (including Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine) and found in many herbal supplements marketed for men’s sexual health.

Does it work?: Small studies suggest it could help improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

What to keep in mind: Research suggests Tribulus terrestris is generally safe when used as directed and may be mildly effective. 

Some small studies done in humans show Tribulus terrestris  might help improve mild to moderate ED symptoms. However, evidence indicates it does not significantly increase testosterone levels, so it is unlikely to be helpful if your ED is caused by low testosterone. 

What it is: Saffron is a spice derived from the flower Crocus sativus, traditionally used in Eastern and Middle Eastern cultures for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Does it work?: It may potentially improve ED symptoms, but more research is needed.

What to keep in mind: Most research on saffron and ED comes from small studies, so results should be interpreted with caution. 

While saffron has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is sometimes considered an aphrodisiac, researchers do not yet fully understand how it might affect erectile function. A meta-analysis and a 2024 review both found possible positive effects on ED, but larger, well-designed studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

What it is: Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that has been studied for its potential effects on men’s sexual health, including erectile dysfunction (ED).

Does it work?: Some studies suggest ashwagandha may modestly increase testosterone levels and improve libido, particularly in men with low testosterone.

What to keep in mind: Ashwagandha is generally considered safe when used appropriately, but its effects on ED are indirect. It may help improve symptoms primarily when low testosterone is a contributing factor to ED.

Ashwagandha is an herb that’s been around for thousands of years to treat a variety of health conditions. In one study, men experienced a 14.7% increase in testosterone levels after eight weeks of treatment with an ashwagandha extract.  

Another 2022 study showed that when men with lower sexual desire took ashwagandha, they saw increases in testosterone levels along with improvements in sexual functioning.

Before trying ashwagandha, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider, who can help figure out what’s causing your ED and whether this supplement or another treatment might be a better fit for you.

What it is: The “salt trick” is a viral TikTok trend that involves consuming a type of salt, or applying it to the body to improve erections.

Does it work?: There is zero research that says salt can help ED symptoms, and in fact, consuming large amounts of salt can be harmful to your health. 

What to keep in mind: Instead of relying on social media trends, it’s always recommended to talk with your healthcare provider about potential ED treatments.

The "salt trick" is a viral TikTok trend you might have heard of. The idea is that consuming salt — particularly blue salt, as some recipes call for — can help improve erections. 

But as with many TikTok trends, there’s no evidence this actually works. What’s more, consuming too much salt in your diet can actually be harmful to your health and increase your blood pressure.  And having high blood pressure, or hypertension, is actually considered a risk factor for ED. 

If these natural alternatives to Viagra aren’t good fits, there are other effective options for treating ED.

Medical treatments

If Viagra isn’t right for you, “herbal Viagra” supplements aren’t your only treatment option. Other, more proven options for ED include:

• Alternative PDE5 inhibitors, like Cialis (tadalafil) and vardenafil, work similarly to Viagra and may be a better option depending on your needs.

• Non-oral ED medications include alprostadil, which can be administered by injection into the penis or as a suppository inserted into the urethra.

• PDE5 inhibitors in other formulations such as Ro Sparks and Daily Rise Gummies. Ro Sparks are lozenges containing the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis that melt under your tongue for fast-acting treatment. Daily Rise Gummies are fruit-flavored gummies containing tadalafil that you take daily. Both of these options contain active ingredients that have been individually approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ED, but in formulations that are considered off-label. 

Additional treatment options may be available depending on the underlying cause of ED, such as correcting low testosterone or treating thyroid or iron deficiencies if testing shows you have low levels. Speak with your healthcare provider to discuss whether evaluation or treatment of an underlying condition could help.

Devices

Several medical devices can be helpful for ED. These options can help you stay firmer and last longer and include:

• Penis pumps: A penis pump uses suction from a vacuum device to create an erection by drawing blood into the penis. Be sure to use it as directed to avoid bruising, pain, or tissue injury.

• Cock rings: A cock ring is placed around the base of the penis or around the penis and testicles to help limit blood from flowing back out, which may help maintain an erection. It’s sometimes used after a penis pump. Cock rings should not be too tight or worn for too long, as this can cause injury.

• Penis implants: A penis implant is when a surgeon places a semi-rigid rod or an inflatable device inside the penis to allow rigidity for sex. This option is generally considered only after less invasive treatments have been unsuccessful. 

Lifestyle changes

In many cases, you can also naturally manage ED symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes, including:

• Getting regular exercise

• Eating a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish

• Avoiding or limiting alcohol and smoking — both of which can damage blood vessels and nerves that help get you hard over time

Whether you take Viagra or use a natural Viagra “alternative,” lifestyle changes can still improve your overall health, including your ability to get and keep an erection. 

Psychological support

ED isn’t just physical. Anxiety and stress can play a role — in fact, in some people, ED can cause anxiety, and anxiety can worsen ED, creating a vicious cycle.

One way to address this is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of therapy that helps you identify and change your negative thought patterns and behaviors that could be related to ED. You can also work with a sex therapist. Open communication with your sexual partner(s) is important while navigating these challenges. 

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More research is needed when it comes to natural Viagra alternatives for men. No supplement has been found to work as well as prescription medications like Viagra or Cialis, but here’s a recap of what we know about supplements some people call “natural Viagra.”

• So-called natural alternatives to Viagra include red ginseng, yohimbe, horny goat weed, and more. These treatments are not FDA-approved for treating ED and have not been studied as extensively prescription options. 

• Some of these natural ED supplements are supported by small studies, and the evidence on their effectiveness is mixed. Some have little or no evidence at all.

• Viagra is a safe and highly effective, FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat ED.

• If Viagra isn’t right for you, there are other proven medical options, including other prescription medications and devices. 

• Lifestyle changes and psychological support are additional ways to naturally support erectile function.