More studies have validated the potential of a local herb,
Carpolobia lutea; to boost sexual performance in men, brain function especially in old age, heal ulcers, among other diseases.
Carpolobia lutea, commonly called cattle stick or poor man’s candle belongs to the plant family polygalaceae. The common names, which the plant is known include cattle stick (English), Abekpok Ibuhu (Eket), Ikpafum, Ndiyan, Nyayanga (Ibibio), Agba or Angalagala (Igbo) and Egbo oshunshun (Yoruba).
Carpolobia lutea is a small plant that often grows to 15 feet in height. People of Southern Nigeria consume its juicy fruits. The plant is well distributed in West and also Central Africa. It is popularly known in Southwest and South Eastern Nigeria particularly among the Eket tribe as a potent aphrodisiac.
Carpolobia lutea is widely used by traditional herbal practitioners to treat male erectile disorders and facilitate delivery. The root decoction is reportedly used as malarial remedy, anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic, anthelmintic and anti-sterility agent. Ethno-botanical survey has revealed that the root decoction of Carpolobia lutea is used to enhance sexual activity.
Male sexual dysfunction, which mostly includes erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation, is the most common problem that contributes to infertility, distress, relationship problems and low quality of life.
Several studies have shown that while sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can bring a heavy psychological toll: depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. ED accounts for 45 per cent of male sexual dysfunction in Nigeria.

ED is experienced some of the time by most men who have reached 45 years of age, and it is projected to affect 322 million men worldwide by 2025. ED is usually underestimated in many developing countries including Nigeria probably because it is not a life-threatening condition and due to the associated stigma.
Results of a study published in Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology suggest that methanol extract of Carpolobia lutea root (MECLR) enhances male sexual activity possibly by augmenting nitric oxide concentration.
The study provides a novel scientific rationale for the use of Carpolobia lutea in the management of penile erectile dysfunction and impaired libido. The study is titled “Comparative evaluation of the aphrodisiac efficacy of sildenafil and Carpolobia lutea root extract in male rabbits.”

The researchers include: Ayobami Dare, Olufadekemi Tolulope, Kunle-Alabi, Opeyemi Oreofe Akindele and Yinusa Raji of the Department of Physiology, Laboratory for Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Programming, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State; and Shakiru Ademola Salami of the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos.
The results showed that MECLR caused a dose-dependent significant increase in mount frequency; intromission frequency and ejaculatory latency (EL) while it reduced mount latency, intromission latency and post EL (similar to SC) when compared with the control. MECLR also caused significant increase in nitric oxide concentration in corpora cavernosa but no change in serum testosterone concentration.
Source  guardian newspaper.