Herbal Aphrodisiacs

February is known as the month of love and romance. Flowers, chocolates, champagne, and dinner reservations followed by cuddling beneath the sheets. While this is the most typical checklist, not all of us feel up to it. The most common issues that puts a damper on our romantic moods is stress and fatigue. When we feel weighed down by life's stresses, whether big or small, we don't really feel like getting snuggly and intimate with our partner. The same can be said when we're overtired. We want to collapse into bed but for different reasons. If sex sounds more like a chore than it does fun, maybe your libido could use a gentle nudge. Most of us have heard of chocolate and oysters being aphrodisiacs, but there are also herbal aphrodisiacs. These are herbs that can stimulate sexual desire and possibly enhance sexual performance and/or experience. While aphrodisiacs won't take your stresses away, they may give your love life a little boost.

Aphrodisiacs for those who are stressed 

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is calming and uplifting. When your sex drive is low due to being overtired, overworked and overstressed this is the herb to reach for.

Linden (Tilia spp.) is a soothing nervine that's helpful with headaches. It's pleasant tasting and helps to reduce stress.

Aphrodisiacs that help create balance

Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera) creates a calm energy. Taken regularly, it has been shown to not only decrease anxiety but also improve fertility and sperm vitality (it increases overall vitality too). 

Maca (Lepiddium meyenii) is a nutrient dense adaptogen. This root is a libido tonic that stimulates sexual desire. Maca may be helpful with erectile dysfunction and increasing sexual desire in women.

Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis) supports the libido and adrenals as well as calms the nervous system. It helps to balance the nervous system, retain energy, and increases circulation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine schizandra berries are used to harmonize the whole body.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) improves cervical mucus and enhances sexual desire. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used as a reproductive tonic.

Aphrodisiacs for those that are always tired

Rhodiola bark (Rhodiola rosea) is used for stress reduction and to increase and maintain energy levels while also helping with mental clarity.

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris) restores vigor to the body. It's used to help the male reproductive system by supporting hormone function.

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a stimulating adaptogen that enhances endurance and helps the body cope better with stress.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis, C. militaris) is an adaptogen that supports the adrenals and cardiovascular system (as well as the lungs and kidneys).

Muira puama bark (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is used by natives to the Amazon rainforest to increase libido. It may help with male impotency and help women who lack the desire to have sex.

Other ideas to try

Herbal aphrodisiacs may offer a boost but finding ways to reduce stress and get a consistent good night sleep will help in the long term too. Balancing our hormones plays a large role too, as well as eating a healthy diet and moving our bodies. But perhaps the best place to start is communicating and reconnecting with our partner.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or on any medication consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new diet or supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any illness or disease.