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Having Erectile Dysfunction (ED) ?????? No worries, here comes Butea Superba ..... CNA news : Thai "Viagra herb" BANGKOK: A Thai herb has been found to have the same effect as drugs such as Viagra in combating erectile dysfunction (ED). But the herb -- Butea superba or khao krua daeng in Thai -- is a long way off from reaching the market in the Kingdom. Indigenous to India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, to some, the herb is considered an example of the best of Thai traditional medicine. By the year 2015, the world market for ED drugs could be as much as US$5 billion. The US and Europe dominate this market but some Asians advocate natural solutions closer to home. A researcher with 30 years experience at Chulalongkorn University's Department of Biology has spent decades researching and promoting the herb. Dr Wichai Cherdshewasart even holds a US patent for it, but has found no traction in Thailand. "At that time, we called it herbal Viagra. But it is pity that because of tough competition, as you can realise, that the Western drugs try to monopolise in this country," Dr Wichai. "So we have tough regulations from Thai FDA. That is why this product cannot present much in the market. They can only present in the form of traditional medicine. It means that you have to mix it with other herbs and use it at very low dose." But the FDA said studies have shown the herb could be dangerous if taken in too high a dose. Drug Control Bureau director Vinit Usavakidviree said: "The test on rats showed that there would be no side effects should the herb be used in an appropriate measure, for example not more than 100 milligrams a day. There will be side effects if more herb is used." Side effects in rats have included massive swelling of the testicles. Still, many in Thailand swear by traditional Asian herbal remedies. A fourth-generation shop owner in Bangkok's Chinatown said customers like herbal medicines because they're cheaper than Western drugs, but cautions they too, should only be taken according to directions. Well, Malaysia & Indonsia have their Tongkat Ali ... Now Thailand has their Butea Superba or Khao Krua Daeng (KKD) ....