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Sex> Herbal Aphrodisiacs
Spice Up Your
Sex Life With
Herbal Aphrodisiacs
By Lauri Jean
Crowe
Published April 2001
Since the beginning of man’s recorded
history, there have been tales of herbs
used to enhance mood, pleasure and sexual
response. No doubt these herbal remedies
were used long before recorded history as
well. Although there are many skeptics who
think that aphrodisiacs are no more effective
than lingerie strewn on the floor to the
act of making love, there is increasing
scientific evidence to support historical
lore regarding the use of herbal aphrodisiacs.
Typically, these remedies fall into three
main categories: mood makers, hormone boosters
and pleasure enhancers.
The main pleasure enhancing herb used is
Damiana, also known by the name Turnera
aphrodisiaca. Damiana is touted as elevating
sexual pleasure in both men and women and
although still not widely used in America,
Damiana is regularly recommended in European
countries for couples who are experiencing
sexual difficulties. Even though this particular
herb has scant empirical research to back
it up, the proof lies in the testimonials
of those who have used it. Damiana users
have reported increased sensitivity, desire,
fulfillment and in both Mexico and Central
America damiana-laced liquors are still
used to put bordello clientele in the mood
to spend.
The FDA has approved Damiana for food use,
and researchers have also found that the
plant contains resins, gums, tannins and
volatile oils which often end up as ingredients
in commercially prepared pastries, candy,
baked good and puddings. Whether used as
a food additive, or its sexual attributes,
damiana is worth looking into with its history
of being a strong aphrodisiac which can
remove impotence and frigidity regardless
of age.
The easiest way to intake damiana is in
a tea form. You can make the tea by steeping
1 teaspoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiling
water. Steep for five to ten minutes and
then strain and sip. Some might prefer to
chill the tea before drinking, but hot or
cold the aphrodisiac qualities are the same.
For the best sexual response, it is recommended
that you drink the tea approximately thirty
minutes before sex.
Mood can affect sexual satisfaction. Nervousness,
anxiety and tension are all anti-sex feelings
that can destroy a sexual encounter even
before it starts. Passionflower is the leader
in mood enhancing herbal remedies and has
a long history of use in Native American
cultures. Passionflower reduces stress and
anxiety and is known to induce a relaxed
state of min while lifting your libido.
This plant contains what are known as the
harmala alkaloids: harmaline, harmalol and
harmine, all of which have been proven to
have aphrodisiac effects on the human body.
Herbal practitioners often recommend this
remedy if couples are experiencing tension
or anxiety which is inhibiting their sexual
satisfaction.
Passionflower may be more readily available
than damiana in tablet form, and two 500mg
tablets will have the same effect as drinking
the tea. However, passionflower has a very
pleasant taste and boiling 1 gram of passionflower
bark in 1 cup of water makes an excellent
tea once cooled and strained. Native American’s
have even been known to smoke the bark with
tobacco and other agents for a mood lifting
experience.
There is no one specific hormone booster
which works for both men and women, as hormone
boosting herbs tend to be gender specific.
There is a long history of the use of black
cohosh, also known as squaw root or by its
botanical name Cimicifuga racemosa in women
for a host of complaints. However, saw palmetto
or Serenoa repens, is the most supported
herbal hormone booster for men.
This herb contains what are known as cimicifugosides
which are very chemically similar to estrogen.
Black Cohosh also contains actein, another
estrogen like compound. These chemical similarities
lead credence to the clinical applications
of black cohosh which have been shown to
reduce many menopausal symptoms in women
such as reduce edema, heart palpitations,
sweats, moodswings, headaches and more.
Black cohosh also has been proven to combat
vaginal dryness.
Women should avoid black cohosh if they
are being treated for hormone-dependent
cancers, and should be advised that usually
a woman will need to take black cohosh for
at least three months before a difference
in sexual response is noticed. Due to the
longevity of this remedy, the simplest form
of intake is to take two 500mg tablets,
twice daily in the morning and the evening.
Native Americans viewed saw palmetto as
a warrior medicine and it has been used
historically to keep men in shape for fighting.
For men, perhaps the most significant aspect
of saw palmetto is that it has been clinically
proven to reduce the symptoms of benign
prostatic hypertrophy. That means that any
symptoms of this condition such as urination,
poor urine output or discomfort do have
an answer aside from surgery or prescription
medications, both of which can have side
effects of reduced sexual response in men.
Men typically report an increase in libido
when taking saw palmetto, but just as with
black cohosh in women, saw palmetto typically
must be taken for about three months before
a full response is evident.
Men who choose to take saw palmetto, whether
for it’s warrior lore or to ease the
symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy
and it’s related symptoms might consider
using a standardized tablet form of this
remedy. The best tablet form will contain
100 mg extract of saw palmetto berry which
is standardized to between 85 to 95% fatty
acid and sterols. However, this remedy can
also be found in 500 mg tablets. The dose
for either is recommended at two 500mg tablets
three times a day.
This information has been provided for informational
purposes only. The author, nor the-vu and
its affiliates, recommend taking any herbal
remedies prior to consultation with your
personal health care professional. This
information should not be construed as a
replacement for medical advice or treatment.
Writer:
Lauri Jean Crowe is a freelance writer known
for such diverse topics as dreams, sexuality,
gardening, health and parenting. She is
a freelance writer, artist and designer
living in Michigan, USA. Lauri Jean welcomes
feedback at vu-writer@earthlink.net and
is seeking serious individuals who wish
to be interviewed about all aspects of sexuality.
To learn more about this writer and her
diverse skills follow these links
The
Living Herbal
Managing
Editor, Customs, Etiquette, Folklore
Contributing
Editor, The Art & Science of Dreams
Short
Story Editor at Mocha Memoirs
Index
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