·        * This article is for information only and not intended as medical advice. Each person has individual needs and therefore it is advisable to always seek the advice of a qualified practitioner.

   February - The Month of Love!

It is February! The month of Valentines Day and often referred to as the month of love. A time for expressing our love for each other, specifically our partners.

Libido

Libido is a concept originated by Sigmund Freud to signify the instinctual physiological or psychic energy associated with sexual urges.

Experiencing low libido or otherwise known as a ‘lack of sex drive’ can be distressing for most people, and it can put strain on ourselves and our partners.

Our libido can be affected by numerous factors, such as hormone imbalance, stress, poor nutrition, trauma, menopause, or medications.

There are many different approaches, which may be needed to help to boost libido, in differing individuals, as we are all individuals! For example, a woman who has gone through menopause and her oestrogen levels are low, will need a different approach to someone who has gone through a traumatic sexual experience. One will need herbs and good nutrition to increase oestrogen, and the other individual may need therapy and nervous system herbs to help process the experience.

The endocrine system and the libido

The endocrine system is responsible for regulating your sex drive. The endocrine system is a network of glands, which stimulate the secretion of hormones, such as testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen. If your endocrine system is working efficiently, your hormone levels will be balanced, and you will experience a healthy sex drive. Experiencing low levels of the hormones mentioned above can cause people to experience a decreased sex drive.

There are also chemicals called endocrine disruptors, which are found in everyday products such as cosmetics, plastics, carpets and pesticides. We are unfortunately surrounded by these chemicals in our modern world, and we absorb these chemicals. When we absorb these chemicals, they can mimic the body’s natural hormones, decrease or increase normal hormone levels and alter the natural production of hormones. This can have an affect on libido.

What is an Aphrodisiac? 

An aphrodisiac is food, drink, herbs or supplements, which stimulate sexual desire. They are usually taken to help increase sexual desire, sexual performance, or enhance your sexual experience.

Aphrodisiac Herbs

Here is a general list of herbs, which may act as an ‘aphrodisiac’ to help boost libido and enhance your sexual experience. 

·         Ashwagandha ~ Withania somnifera

This herb is one of the highest valued herbs in Ayurvedic medicine and has been used for over six thousand years. The common name Ashwagandha originates from two Sanskrit words – Ashwa means horse and Gandha means smell. These two terms could be interpreted to mean ‘horse essence’, which could suggest that this herb provides the strength and stamina of a horse for those taking it. Furthermore, the species name in the Latin classification of Ashwagandha is ‘somnifera’.  Through breaking down the species name, ‘somni’ refers to sleep and ‘somnifera’ means sleep inducing, which refers to its sedative properties.

Ashwagandha is beneficial in increasing libido, when stress is causing dysfunction. When we are stressed, we secrete cortisol which is the ‘stress hormone’. Cortisol helps the body appropriately respond to stressors, however when we are constantly stressed, we secrete high amounts of cortisol, which can disrupt the endocrine system and our hormone secretion. This will quell our libido as a secondary effect, as libido is not important when our body perceives that it is under threat.   

Ashwagandha is classed as a herbal adaptogen. Adaptogens help to increase internal and external resilience to stressors. Ashwagandha, in studies, has been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the blood, which has been shown to decrease stress levels and help reduce anxiety. Through this mechanism, Ashwagandha may help to increase libido.

However, Ashwagandha has also been shown in studies to increase testosterone in men and in women.  In both men and women, testosterone plays a role in regulating sex drive. An increase in testosterone in men increases sperm count and can increase fertility.

·         Damiana ~ Turnera diffusa

This shrub hails from Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies. Damiana’s usage has predated all the way back to the Mayans and Aztecs, who used it for asthma and for its aphrodisiac effects.

Traditionally, in herbal medicine, Damiana is used as a nerve strengthening tonic and is useful in cases of nervous exhaustion and debility, which of course can alter the libido. It is also specifically used for anxiety and depression linked to sexual inadequacy.

The alkaloids in damiana are also thought to have a testosterimimetic effect, which means that it can mimic the effects of testosterone. This can help increase sexual arousal and help with erectile dysfunction and impotence in males.  This herb has also shown to increase blood flow to the genital area in both men and women helping with arousal.             

Damiana also contains flavone compounds, which have been shown to exert an oestrogenic effect. This can help to balance oestrogen levels in women and can help to increase libido.                                           

·          Fenugreek ~ Trigonella foenum-graecum

Fenugreek is an annual plant that is native to India and North Africa. However, it is grown and cultivated throughout the world.

Fenugreek has been shown to help males with low sperm count; in studies it has been shown to increase sperm count and quality. This is due to Fenugreek having been shown to increase testosterone levels. Furthermore, this increase in testosterone can help with regulation of sex drive.

Fenugreek has also been shown to elevate testosterone levels in females. However, it also contains Saponins and these constituents may also bind to oestrogen receptors in the body and cause the activation of oestrogen responsive genes. This could influence certain processes in the body, which are related to oestrogen, such as regulation of reproductive health, mood and bone density.

Furthermore, in some research studies, Fenugreek extract has been shown to increase Estradiol levels, Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). All of these hormones play a huge part in regulation of menstrual cycles and libido regulation.

 Shatavari ~ Asparagus racemosa

Shatavari is an ayurvedic herb and is classed as a ‘rasayana’. A rasayana is a group of herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, which act as rejuvenators or tonics to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

Shatavari is used primarily as a tonic for women, as ‘Shatavari’ means the woman with a hundred husbands. This refers to its properties for hormone regulation and enhancing fertility.  It is also known as a ‘female rejuvenator’.

Shatavari contains constituents called steroidal saponins, these constituents are classed as ‘phyto-oestrogens’. Phyto-oestrogens mimic oestrogen in the body, go into the receptors and “trick” your body into thinking it has more oestrogen than it does. This is specifically beneficial for women going through the menopause, as when going through the menopause, oestrogen levels drop, which can cause a decline in libido, due to hormonal imbalance. Therefore, by tricking your body into thinking that it has more oestrogen, you can help to reduce the effects of the menopause and keep the reproductive system functioning and enhance fertility. This balances hormones and in doing so this will help to regulate libido.

In conclusion 

As highlighted above, regulation of libido is a very personal issue and the effectiveness of herbs entirely depends on the individual, the approach and the herbs chosen. There are a huge number of different factors that can influence our sex drive and therefore, it is our advice to talk to a qualified practitioner to help guide you in choosing the right herb or creating the right herbal prescription and lifestyle plan for you!

• Please be aware that some herbal medicine is not suitable for people who are pregnant, breast-feeding, on certain medications or with certain health conditions, therefore we would always advise you to seek advice from a qualified practitioner.

Heart photo credit : Georgia de Lotz

Reference list

Alok, S., Jain, S.K., Verma, A., Kumar, M., Mahor, A. and Sabharwal, M. (2013). Plant profile, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Asparagus Racemosus (Shatavari): a Review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 3(3), pp.242–251. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s2222-1808(13)60049-3.

Basch, E., Ulbricht, C., Kuo, G., Szapary, P. and Smith, M. (2003). Fenugreek Review Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek. Alternative Medicine Review ◆, [online] 8(1). Available at: http://inconnate.com/Download/Fenugreek/document3.pdf.

Bharti, V.K., Malik, J.K. and Gupta, R.C. (2016). Chapter 52 - Ashwagandha: Multiple Health Benefits. [online] ScienceDirect. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128021477000528.

Dongre, S., Langade, D. and Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. BioMed Research International, 2015, pp.1–9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/284154.

Freud, S. (1920). The Libido Theory and narcism. in S. Freud, a General Introduction to Psychoanalysis. [online] psycnet.apa.org. Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-02941-025 [Accessed 4 Feb. 2025].

Graziottin, A. (2000). Libido: the Biologic Scenario. Maturitas, 34, pp.S9–S16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00072-9.

Singh, R., Ali, A., Jeyabalan, G., Semwal, A. and Jaikishan (2013). An Overview of the Current Methodologies Used for Evaluation of Aphrodisiac Agents. Journal of Acute Disease, 2(2), pp.85–91. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s2221-6189(13)60105-5.

Szewczyk, K. and Zidorn, C. (2014). Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and Bioactivity of the Genus Turnera (Passifloraceae) with a Focus on damiana—Turnera Diffusa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, [online] 152(3), pp.424–443. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.019.