By Michael Gwarisa
Deep in the heart of Binga, in the midst of thick forests and scorching heat, the name Siposami Chuma is synonymous with the word saviour in some circles owing to his mastery of herbs. These are not ordinary herbs but Guchu, a mixture of roots and plants ground together to form a powder he claims can turn a man into a beast in the bedroom. At least that is what he says.
If there is anything African men fear the most, it is discovering that their sexual performance has diminished.
I have saved many marriages here in Binga,” said Siposami, who is only 32 years old.
At his age, it is hard to believe he could know so much about herbs, yet Siposami says he receives visions and dreams that guide him.
“At times I just dream and wake up the following morning, go into the bush and find the exact root I dreamt of. I mix the roots according to how I would have received the message in my dreams.”
Siposami says he attends to no less than three clients daily at his homestead, and these are men of various age groups. In Binga, where polygamy is common, many men turn to herbs and natural aphrodisiacs to meet the expectations of their multiple wives.
When we arrived at his homestead, a few elderly men were leaving, each clutching their small packets of Guchu tightly as if they were holding something precious. They walked carefully, making sure not to spill even a grain. The way they held the mixture made it clear that, to them, this was not just powder but something closer to treasure.
How Does Siposami Test the Safety of His Herbs?
In Zimbabwe, several men have died after taking contaminated or improperly mixed Guchu. In Manicaland Province, four men died in 2024 after consuming Guchu laced with Aloe vera. In Gokwe recently, two elderly men in their seventies presented at Gokwe General Hospital with prolonged erections after taking Guchu. Health workers had to intervene to manage the situation.
The question then becomes how Siposami ensures his Guchu is safe.
“I taste the Guchu myself in front of my clients to show that I am not giving them something poisonous. Whoever I give these herbs comes back to thank me and confirm that something has changed,” he said.
He added that this was how people in the old days would test herbs before adopting them.
Do His Concoctions Really Work?
His wife, who was beside him during the interview, confirmed that whenever Siposami used the mixture, the results were noticeable.
“You can actually tell that today he has taken his popular herbs. He performs very well,” she said shyly with a smile.
What Does the Science Say?
Herbs like Guchu, also known as Imbiza, are traditionally used in parts of Africa as sexual stimulants or aphrodisiacs. They are believed to boost libido and improve erectile function by cleansing the system and opening blood vessels. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited. Much of the information is based on tradition rather than clinical studies.
Other herbs used for similar purposes include Mondia whitei, Warburgia ugandensis and various root and leaf mixtures. A study published on the United States National Library of Medicine titled Exploring Scientifically Proven Herbal Aphrodisiacs shows that certain herbs such as Mondia whitei, Chlorophytum borivilianum and Eurycoma longifolia may have aphrodisiac effects in animals. Human evidence, however, is still sparse and often inconclusive.
Speaking to HealthTimes in one of our interviews, Zimbabwean urologist and sexual health expert Dr Shingai Meki said sex enhancement products largely work on placebo effect and that sex is mainly a psychological process. Without the right emotional state, he said even popular herbs or foods will not work.
“When people talk about how aphrodisiacs work in terms of sexual libido or desire, there are many substances and herbs that have been suggested. One needs to remember that sexual drive resides mainly in the brain, which is connected to emotions, past experiences and expectations,” said Dr Meki.
“You find that if you have mood stabilisers, which are commonly found in herbs, they may help with sexual attention and desire. They are, however, not known to enhance one’s erection.”
There is no strong scientific consensus that Guchu or similar herbal mixtures reliably improve sexual performance in humans. Most claims are rooted in traditional use rather than robust scientific research.
Risks and Considerations
Herbal sexual enhancers may cause side effects or interact with medications. Their safety and purity are not always regulated, and some products may be adulterated with pharmaceuticals or harmful substances, posing serious health risks.
