Herbal and Natural Aphrodisiacs

Ashwagandha is a herb from the Ayurvedic system and is known for its adaptogen qualities, this means that it strengthens the systems of the body against stress and modern living. Apart from being an all round tonic it is an Aphrodisiac and is known to balance the male and female sex hormones. It is these potent bits of our bio-chemistry that govern desire, libido, pleasure, and sexual performance.

MEN It is said to bring "the strength of the stallion" to a man, enhancing his sexual staying power and libido. Known as Indian Ginseng, if there is a depletion of energy, it is known for nourishing male energy and it is used to treat impotence. It increases semen production, and improves the quality of sperm, therefore it is used to treat infertility in men.

WOMEN Ashwagandha is a food for love, and although it is used largely as a male tonic in Ayurveda, it is recommended for women when strength is needed in conditions of debility and during pregnancy.

Oat straw is a very sustaining herb, as it is a nervine it is calming to the nervous system. So this is a good Aphrodisiac if being highly strung is the dampener to your libido.

MEN Oat straw stimulates the circulation of free testosterone, a hormone that is stimulating to the male sexual libido, for this reason it is used as a sexual stimulant by men.

WOMEN A tonic to the nervous system, and good for recovering from exhaustion, so this is a good aphrodisiac if emotional exhaustion is your block to love making.

Sida Cordifolia is a herb used for many conditions in Ayurveda, and it really is a master healer with many benevolent qualities used over 1000s of years. As an Aphrodisiac it is used for it's stimulating qualities. It stimulates the metabolism and the nervous system, whist relaxing and opening the respiratory system. Because of this it has Euphoric and energising qualities, so it's good for use if you want to wake up, sharpen your senses in love making whilst relaxing and breathing more deeply. Because of its Euphoric qualities it is known to induce states of love and happiness.

MEN Sida Cordifolia encourages physical endurance, strength and presence of being in love making.

WOMEN The Sida Cordifolia plant is associated with the ancient Hindu Goddess of beauty, sensuality and grace Parvathi. The herb is part of the 'magical trio combination' associated with women in Indian herbal folk medicine "Tripura Sundari" in common language - meaning "thrice beautiful". The other herbs recommended for beautifying women are: Ashoka and Shatavari.

Clavohuasca is a traditional South American medicine used as an aphrodisiac, for centuries in Brazil and Peru. Clavohuasca is known to stimulate libido and treat sexual dysfunction in men and women.

MEN Clavohuasca is most effective for men as a remedy for erectile dysfunction, and weakness of erection. It is also used traditionally for relieving impotence.

WOMEN Clavohuasca is a strong sexual stimulant and increases libido in pre-menopausal women. It is also a remedy for frigidity.

Cordyceps / Cordyceps sinensis is a much praised and highly sought after herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has a wide range of potential therapeutic possibilities including longevity. It is also known as a performance enhancer. (Cordyceps are said to be the secret weapon for the unexpected success of the Chinese atheletes in the 1996 Olympic games!)

Damiana has an ancient, erotic reputation, particually amongst Mexican Indians. It is an Aphrodisiac and has earned its reputation as a male and female sexual stimulant. This is the Aphrodisiac to use when sexual disfunction has a strong emotional content.

MEN It has a particular use for impotence in men associated with anxiety, and it has also been recommended for inflammation of the prostate in men. It is believed to contain alkaloids that stimulate the body's levels of testosterone and it is used to treat erectile dysfunction, impotence, and inability to reach orgasm.

WOMEN Damiana is also thought to be a good aphrodisiac for women. Again it is indicated where anxiety or depression may be involved in the inability to achieve orgasm, or the presentation of a low sex drive. Damiana is known to produce a mild, short lived euphoric state. Interestingly it is a good tonic for women when coming off the birth control pill, or facing the menopause as a sexual hormone rebalancer.

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most well used herbal remedies today. It is known for its brain boosting qualities and as a tonic to seniors. However it is seen as an aphrodisiac because of its capacity to boost circulation and increase blood flow to all parts of the body.

MEN For men Ginkgo is known to boost male erection by increasing blood flow in the body. It will not increase the libido but it will increase staying power and strength of erection.

WOMEN In women ginkgo also stimulates the blood flow and can increase arousal in woman vaginally, it can increase pleasure and depth of orgasm, all based upon this increase of blood flow to the capillaries.

Tribulus increases stamina, libido and sexual function for men and dramatically improves sexual performance and sensitivity for most women. It is an Ayurvedic herb and has been indicated for use in sexual health for many years.

MEN In Men it stimulates the secretion of leutinising hormone LH, which goes onto stimulate testosterone in the gonads. It is this production of free testosterone in the body that stimulates the sexual energy. Studies have shown it to increase sperm production as well as sexual activity. It is indicated to increase libido, strengthen erection and speed up sexual recovery rate.

WOMEN Tribulus has been found to alleviate symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, depression and emotional instability. Regular use of Tribulus during the menopause can treat the loss of sexual interest at this time, 65% of women treated in one study reported increased sex drive after using this herb. Although testosterone is associated with men's health, free testosterone production in women also has a positive effect on libido and sexual desire.

Guarana is known for its stimulating action. It calms yet stimulates the nervous system, so it is energising yet relaxing. It is wonderful for giving the body a lift without the side effects of caffeine or alcohol, so it's a good choice for getting you in the mood for love. It is known for increasing physical endurance and stamina, so not a bad choice for keeping you in the mood for love also.

MEN Guarana increases stamina, boosts energy, boosts virility, increases staying power and stimulates the libido. A good choice for an all night love making session.

WOMEN Guarana stimulates movement of energy in the body, activates blood circulation and boosts libido in women.

Horny Goat weed is known for its testosterone building effect, so it stimulates sexual activity in men. It also alleviates fatigue and exhaustion and nurtures and restores the adrenals and kidneys. So it has an over all stress reducing, libido enhancing effect.

MEN Horny goat weed naturally stimulates sperm production, sexual desire, and libido. It also stimulates blood flow to the genital area thus enhancing sexual awareness and function.

WOMEN In women it is known to increase sexual desire.

Maca is a great nourisher of the nervous system, and it helps the body adjust to the stress of modern living. As an aphrodisiac its strength is in bringing the hormones back into balance and heightening the libido. It blends with other aphrodisiacs to nurture and support on-going sexual health.

MEN Enhances libido in men and reduces chronic fatigue, stimulates, nourishes and tonifys all body functions.

WOMEN Regulates and normalizes menstrual cycle, stimulates fertility in men and women. A natural alternative to HRT.

Mucuna pruriens contains a natural source of L-Dopa, which stimulates the brain chemical dopamine. Dopamine is known to improve mood, stimulate sexuality, and have anti-depressant effects. Traditionally it has been known as an aphrodisiac since ancient times.

MEN Mucuna pruriens is well known for its aphrodiaiac qualities for men. It is known to boost testosterone levels, increase sperm count and improve sexual desire.

WOMEN Mucuna pruriens is known for its mood improving qualities. It can lift depression and stimulate sexual desire in women.

Mucuna / Kapikachhu has an interesting range of unusual phyto-chemicals including l-dopa.

Muira puama is known to be good for the psychological and physical aspects of sexual function. Studies show a positive effect on erectile dysfunction, sexual desire, libido, menstrual cramps and PMS. The short term effects of Muira Puama include increasing blood flow to the pelvic area, aiding erections in men as well as sensation and orgasm in women. Longer term use enhances the production of sex hormones in both sexes. It has no noted side effects though, as with many sexual stimulants, it can slightly raise blood pressure. Muira Puama has a long history of use in England, and is still listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, where it is recommended to treat impotence, amongst other things.

MEN Muira puama has been used successfully for impotency, erectile dysfunction, to stimulate libido and sexual desire in men.

WOMEN For women Muira puama has been used to aid overall sexual health bringing relief for menstrual cramps, and PMS. Muira Puama has also been used to stimulate sexual desire, and improve the flow of blood to the sexual organs, thus improving sensation and orgasm.

Rhodiola Rosea optimises the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your body, meaning reduced stress levels and fatigue as well as increased mental and physical performance.

In folk medicine it has a legendary history dating back thousands of years. We know, for example, that the ancient Greeks used Rhodiola rosea. In 77 A.D., the Greek physician Dioscorides documented the medical applications of the plant, which he then called rodia riza, in his classic medical text De Materia Medica.

As Rhodiola Rosea is a true performance enchancer, by releasing those all important happy chemicals in your brain, it can truly help you out in the bedroom, a burst of serotonin and dopamine can be that rush you need to perform naturally better in the bedroom.

Saw Palmetto has been indicated for its use in men's sexual health. It is used for the prevention and treatment of prostate enlargement. Saw palmetto helps stabilise the natural process in men of the hormone testosterone decreasing after age 40. So in this way it supports male sex hormones and is a tonic for the reproductive system. It is known as "the old man's best friend". It is worth noting that it is not to be combined with anti-androgenic medication.

MEN Saw palmetto boosts and strengthens sexual appetite, it also restores sexual health and balance after excess.

WOMEN Saw palmetto has also been indicated for women as an aphrodisiac, as a sexual stimulant and breast enhancer.

Shatavari is the Queen of Ayurvedic medicine, used for 1000s years as the supreme tonic for women. It is in this way that it works as an aphrodisiac for women, by bringing all the symptoms of women's sexual health, through all the changes of a women's life, into balance. It nourishes a women's sexual health, stimulating fertility, alleviating symptoms of menopause and regulating hormones that govern sexual health.

MEN In Men studies show it to be an excellent Aphrodisiac when combined with Ashwagandha, ( An ayurvedic herb ) It promotes size, strength and stiffness of the penis. It can treat impotence and sexual debilitation.

WOMEN Shatavari literally means 'the plant of one hundred roots' which has been cunningly transformed into 'she who has one hundred husbands' as it gives women boundless reserves!

In China it has an ancient reputation as a LOVE POTION. This is probably because of it's capacity to boost physical endurance, create stamina and endless energy in the user. It helps the body adapt to an extreme environment and fight stress, in the form of exhaustion and physical overwhelm. As an aphrodisiac it stimulates the bodies wellbeing by sooth the over-adrenalised burn out experience and encourages stamina and strength.

MEN Siberian ginseng stimulates the bodies natural stamina and physical prowess during love making.

WOMEN Siberian Ginseng helps the body recover from stress, which can be a block to sexual satisfaction.

Wild yam has been used for women's sexual health for a long time. It balances female sex hormones, so is useful for naturally enhancing the shape and texture of the breasts. It is known for treating PMS, and it is used as a natural alternative to HRT. As an aphrodisiac its main strengths are stimulating balance of sexual hormones and in this way promoting a healthy sexual desire. It is worth noting that it should not be taken by women with hormone-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and cancers of the breast, ovaries, or uterus, due to its possible estrogenic effects. Men with prostate cancer should also avoid taking wild yam. Pregnant women should not take wild yam because it may stimulate the uterus to contract, possibly causing a miscarriage.

WOMEN Breast enhancer, hormone regulator, balanced sexual health, relief from dryness, promotes sexual desire.