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Sexual Herbs to Improve Your Love Life

© Amy Cunningham, Editor

If you're looking to jump start your love life, try doing it the natural way. Herbal supplements have been used for centuries across the globe for medicinal purposes. Many of these herbs improve sexual desire, drive, and specific sexual problems such as impotence. Check out the quick reference guide below to help you find your way through the myriad of sexual hebs. Keep in mind that most package supplements tend to contain multiple sex-enhancing herbs. Please remember, the information on this page is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.

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American Ginseng
Avena Sativa (Wild Oat)
Blessed Thistle
Cinnamon
Cocoa
Damiana
Dong Quai
Fo-ti
Fenugreek
Garlic
Ginger
Gingko
Gotu Kola
Hops
Horny Goat Weed
Maca
Muira puama
Panax Ginseng
Peppermint
Pueraria Mirifica
Saw Palmetto
Siberian Ginseng
Wild Yam
Yohimbe

American Ginseng

American ginseng, grown primarily in North America, is the botanical cousin to the Oriental Panax version. Though they are close in their botanical properties and activity, there are key differences. Ginseng is commonly used to increase energy and blood flow, making it a popular choice for treating erectile dysfunction. Alternative health doctors, including doctors of oriental medicine, tend to agree that the American form of ginseng performs better than the Oriental (Panax Ginseng) version. In addition to its sexual propoerties, ginseng also acts as a central nervous sedative.

Avena Sativa (Wild Oat)

Avena Sativa is often used to treat fatigue and exhaustion, but is also widely used to correct sexual debility. After studies suggested that the herb acts as a naturual sexual stimulant in both sexes, it has gained in popularity as both a stimulant and an erectile dysfunction alternative.

Blessed Thistle

While Blessed Thistle is most often used as a hormone balancer to increase the flow of milk in breast feeding mothers, it also promotes oxygenation and aids in circulation. In fact, Indians have used Blessed Thistle as a form of birth control when steeped.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon, surprisingly, proved to increase sexual desire when tested against other scents, though the reason for it is not understood.

Cocoa

Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, is reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities. It's been suggested that the serotonin and other chemicals in chocolate, most notably phenethylamine, can act as mild sexual stimulants.

Damiana

Damiana, often found in the southwest and Mexico, is one of the more powerful sexual herbs used to treat many different problems. It has been reputed that Damiana improves fertility by balancing female hormones and stimulating the reproductive organs in both males and females. In addition to being considered one of the most power herbs for erectile dysfunction use, it is also commonly used as a mild aphrodisiac. In fact, the damiana leaf has a long history as an aphrodisiac by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians. While it's mostly used to increase sexual desire in women, it can have a similar effect in men. Although Damiana is generally considered safe, it may interfere with iron absorption in some people. As with any herbal supplement, follow the dosage instructions completely.

Dong Quai

Dong Quai, a popular Chinese root, is considered the most popular and effective herb in traditional Chinese medicine for use on women. It is commonly used to balance the female hormones, alleviate PMS and menopausal symptoms, and promotes naturual progesterone synthesis. In addition to it's medical benefits, it can also be used as an aphrodisiac to increase female sexual desire.

Fo-Ti

Fo-ti is said to produce longevity, fertility, and vitality. The herb is often used to treat impotence and vaginal discharge issues. In addition to it's sexual propoerties, it is also used to help prevent high blood pressure and premature graying.

Fenugreek

While fenugreek is most commonly used to increase milk production in nursing mother's, it is also used to naturally increase breat size without the need for surgery. Because fenugreek contains diosgenin and other plant phytoestrogens, it results in the growth of healthy breast tissue.

Garlic

Garlic, a known aphrodisiac, is also used to treat erectile dysfunction as it can improve blood circulation significantly. In addition to it's sexual stimulant properties, it is also said to have numerous other medicinal properties such as reducing blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health.

Ginger

Ginger naturally helps balance the eicosanoids (master hormones in males), without side effects, which is the key to bringing down the inflammation of an enlarged prostate. Additionally, ginger has also been shown to improve cholestrol and blood sugar levels, improve circulation, and help with the reproductive systems.

Ginkgo

Medicinal use of Ginkgo has been traced back as far as 5000 years in Chinese herbal medicine and has become on of the most popular herbal supplements throughout the U.S. and Europe. While the herb has many popular uses, it's most famous function is its ability to improve circulation, vital for sexual function and desire. The increased circulation improves impotence, giving men fuller, more powerful erections. Additionally, it increases oxygen supply to the brain, increasing desire and enjoyment.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola, a lesser used herb, acts as a sedative and dilator of peripheral blood vessels. This herb helps to balance hormones and improve hormonal symptoms, such as headaches, that can cause sexual problems.

Hops

Hops has been used for centuries to increase milk production in nursing mothers (second to the popular Fenugreek). It is also widely used to increase breast size and to increase sexual desire in women. The popular herb is often consumed in tea or massage directly into the breasts.

Horny Goat Weed

Horny Goat Weed, as the name has suggested, gives the desire of goats to mate increases after consuming the herb. Horny Goat Weed is often used as one of the ingredients for penis enlargement which helps the blood vessels in the penis to dilate, increases blood flow and promote stronger, fuller erections.

Maca

Maca has been used for more than 2000 years in the orient. This popular sexual herb restores sexual function in males and increases their libido while nourishing sperm and increasing fertility. This traditional Chinese herb also enhances strength and endurance while acting as an aphrodisiac.

Muira Puama

Muira Puama was originally used by peoples in the Rio Negro area of South America to treat sexual dysfunction. It is believed to enhance your sex drive by increasing the production of sex hormones, especially testosterone. Additionally, it affects the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, both of which are responsible for those feel good feelings or 'highs'. In studies it's shown potential of performing even better than Yohimbe at increasing sex drive and improving impotence problems, without the side affects of Yohimbe.

Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng is the oriental botanical cousin to American Ginseng. While some say that American ginseng performs better than it's oriental counterpart, panax ginseng is often included in sexual dysfunction supplements as it's believed to improve mental awareness and physical energy.

Peppermint

Peppermint, a rather unique sexual aide, contains an oil that works by increasing the respiration rate. This in turn increases oxygen in the blood which improves the performance of the body's organs -- including the genitals. Peppermint is effective for men who experience impotence or women who have difficulty ahieving orgasm due to circulation problems. Follow the dosage instructions carefully as menthol (one of the substances) can be poisonous. Pregnant women should not take peppermint supplements as they have been shown to cause miscarriage.

Pueraria Mirifica

Pueraria Mirifica, a hormone balancer, is often included in supplements for breast enlargement.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto, most commonly used to treat prostate enlargement in men, can also be used as a sexual stimulant for both men and women, increasing both desire and drive. Surprisingly, Saw Palmetto's was originally used as a natural breast enhancer. While generally considered safe for use, it can interfere with other hormone therapies and should not be used by pregnant women.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng is a powerful sexual herb with many uses. Commonly used for overall body strengthening, it promotes blood circulation and stimulates the central nervous system, increasing blood flow and improving sensitivity of the nerves throughout the body -- especially in the genitalia. This is especially beneficial to men who experience impotence. It is said that Siberian Ginseng improves physical stamina, mental altertness, and helps to reduce stress in the body. It has been regarded as a powerful sexual stimulant for centuries and is often used as an aphrodisiac to improve sexual desire and drive. It works by stimulating the adrenal glands into producing higher levels of testosterone and other sex hormones.

Wild Yam

Wild Yam is a natural hormone balancer taht is said to benefit women by reducing pms and menopausal symptoms. It works particularly well in balancing a woman's endocrine system and is often used (in combination with other herbs) in treating infertility. Wild Yam's biggest fame, hoewver, comes from it's reported use as a natural contraceptive. Reports show that if taken daily throguhout a cycle in specific dosages, it can help prevent pregnancy (not sexualally transmitted diseases).

Yohimbe

Used by Native American's for centuries, Yohimbe improves sexual performance and enhances desire. It has long been used in Africa and Brazil as a powerful aphrodisiac as well as it increases dopamine, which occurs in the "pleasure system" of the brain. It's biggest use, however, is in treatment of impotence in men by increasing the blood flow and sensitivity of nerves, especially in the pelvic region. It is important to note that although Yohimbe is generally considered safe and most supplements contain safe dosages, you should follow dosage instructions carefully. Regular consumption can result in aniety, dizziness, headaches, high blood pressure, and insomnia. Very high doses can cause even more severe issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, yohimbine (an alkaloid contained in yohimbe) can be dangerous if used in excessive amounts.