WE are threatened by an attack of another new disease – the Zika virus. Again, it will be carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito just like the chikungunya virus, and is likely to do great harm.

For those of us who experienced the chikungunya virus, we have more reasons to fear another viral attack because so many people are still suffering from the damage it had caused.

The Zika virus has been linked to cases of babies being born with small heads, or microcephaly – a neurological disorder in which the occipitofrontal circumference is smaller than that of other children of the same age, race and sex.

Several of my male clients told me that after their experience with chikungunya, their erection had started failing. Another client told me that the shape of his penis had also changed with the chikungunya disease.

I fear that things might worsen should the Zika virus hit our shores, so I have taken the time to remind men of foods to consume and avoid in order to maintain good erections.

Foods to consume

Tuna, either with or without coconut water, is a good drink to keep the waistline strong.

Okra, with or without fish, has been credited by my father and a lot of rastas to keep them fertile.

It is believed that a handful of pumpkin seeds eaten every day will keep erections present.

Gungo peas, along with others fresh peas and beans, are one of my Maroon uncles’ favourite.

Citrus or foods high in vitamin C will help fight off sexually transmitted organisms, although many men wrongly accuse them of destroying ‘nature’.

Orange or red-coloured foods like melon and tomato are rich in vitamin A. An architect who suffered from prostate cancer told me that this was his secret cure for it.

Very little needs to be said about seafood except to eat them with lots of vegetables.

Cow foot or skin is very good for strengthening the nerves and good erections depend on heathy nerves.

Two tablespoons of coconut oil, taken every day, is known to retard prostate cancer.

Good blood flow is necessary for an erection. Using bitter herbs to keep the blood clean will ensure proper blood flow to the penis.

Foods to avoid

Meat: Commercially grown animals are fed lots of hormones. Many men who complain of groin pain say it worsens whenever they eat chicken.

Vegetable oil clogs the bloodstream and slows down circulation. The coconut is beneficial for the prostate. I will say very little about olive oil since we don’t get good olive oil in Jamaica.

Alcohol may lower testosterone levels.

Sugar or diabetes thickens the blood and decreases blood flow to the penis.

An average man can have up to 11 erections in a day, and three or four at night. Even then he is advised not to ejaculate for more than three times per a week, because his body will not be able to replace all the nutrients lost. An impotent man often loses his importance at home and often experiences personal suffering, anxiety and depression.

No one can deny the important role sex plays in our society. Unfortunately, very little knowledge is shared to protect such an important procreative and enjoyable experience.

It has become evident that our dependence on sex enhancement pills is short-lived and carries too many side effects. The fear of a society without sex may even be worse than the Zika virus attack. But, herbs can help.

Maureen Minto is the chief naturopathic consultant at the Healthy Living Herbal Clinic and president of the Caribbean Natural Remedies Association. Contact her at 940-1197 or e-mail

healthylivingjamaica@gmail.com