To Boost Libido Naturally, Some People are Turning to Herbs. Here’s The Science

Herbal traditions have been used for centuries to help boost libido, without modern drugs or medical intervention. In our modern world, we have access to a vast array of over-the-counter drugs, and most people overlook the power of herbs, each one possessing an individual, unique, and subtle way of interacting with the body, to help enhance sexual energy, drive, and performance. Here's how to tap the potential of herbs to enhance and support our sexual health and do it naturally.

As for which one works best? You need to try each one out, then go off of using it for several days, and observe how you feel. Many of the studies have been done on small groups of participants and the research is scarce, so the herbal knowledge is often based in Ayurvedic medicine and centuries-old practices. Try each one on its own, but always talk to your doctor since some herbs interfere with medication and you don't want any adverse side effects.

Diet plays a role in the bedroom as well. A diet rich in plant-based foods with nitric oxide boosts performance in the gym and in the bedroom, so the first task for anyone who wants to improve their libido is to switch to a plant-based diet and ditch red meat and dairy, which causes inflammation and can contribute to ED, as well as heart disease and obesity.

In the documentary about athletes and plant-based diets, The Game Changers researchers studied how diet affected young male collegiate athletes, who were given plant-based dinner versus animal products, and watched the results as they slept in a sleep lab. The athletes who were given the plant-based dinner also had more frequent erections while sleeping, something they were blushing to see when presented with the results by the researchers. A study in the British Journal of Cancer found that vegans had 13 percent higher testosterone levels than those who eat flesh and 8 percent higher testosterone levels than vegetarians.

If you are eating plant-based, or mostly so, you are already doing yourself a favor as far as performance is concerned. Here's how to use herbs to stoke your sex drive and improve libido without taking a prescription.

Tibulus is revered in Ayurvedic medicine as an aperitif, astringent, anti-inflammatory, stomach tonic, diuretic, and aphrodisiac. In one study it was found to increase in erectile function in rabbits given the herb for 4 weeks. The herb may indeed increase libido, but the mechanisms by which this happens is difficult to study since it is such a holistic, powerful herb. Start with half a teaspoon of pure organic powder extract a day for five to seven days and assess how you feel but be warned that it is quite bitter. It’s one of the 10 ingredients in dashamula.

The translation from Sanskrit most often used for shatavari is “She who possesses 100 husbands.” Shat means one-hundred, but vari could mean “husbands” or “roots”. I think the translation “she who possesses a hundred roots” may be more on point since it helps a woman grow her family tree, or put down roots. Shatavari is an adaptogen in the same family as the asparagus family that is believed to increases fertility in women, but it is also recommended for men for other holistic benefits.

Studies on Shatavari are more preliminary but researchers have found: “Shatavari may improve female reproductive health complications including hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), follicular growth and development, oocyte quality and infertility possibly by reducing OS level and increasing antioxidants level in the body.”

Organic Shatavari can be purchased from herbal supplier Banyan Botanicals.

Legend has it that Chinese farmers observed goats copulating more after grazing on ying yang huo, hence its name “horny goat weed”, but the plant also helps with pain and fatigue. Since then, Horny Goat Weed has been used for ED and to strengthen sexual desire.  Western research has even begun to accept it as an effective treatment for osteoporosis, hay fever, atherosclerosis, nerve pain fatigue, and erectile dysfunction.

Chinese herbalism has long revered yin yang huo, of which there are 15 different species. Herbalists caution against overstimulating the yang and they recommend combining horny goat weed with ying herbs to ward off “hot” symptoms like irritability, aggressiveness, or a racing heartbeat. If you are making a tea, the calming properties of herbs like chamomile or mint will provide the ying to balance out the horny goat weed's yang.

Look for Horny Goat Weed here.

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree native to western and central Africa that's bark contains a natural chemical called yohimbine, which has been used in herbal traditions for centuries.

Yohimbe is shown mixed results when it comes to improving sex drive, though one study showed that 3 of 11 participants reported some improvement in sensation and sexual function. "Under yohimbine, frequency of sexual activities increased," so there may be enough evidence to encourage using it, for men as well as women who want increased sensation. But the herb has been closely examined for its side effects, especially the fact that it can cause racing heart and tremors. For this reason, doctors suggest taking Yohimbe a few hours before sex, rather than as a daily. Yohimbe bark is sold here.

 Known as Malaysian ginseng, the root of the Tongkat Ali plant has been shown to help improve stress levels, but people also take it because it appears to stimulate the release of free testosterone, improve sex drive, and can reduce fatigue, according to research.

As an adaptogen, Tongkat Ali may be taken on its own without other herbs. It also improves muscular strength and stamina.  Secrets of the Tribe sells an alcohol-free tincture.

Bottom Line: Try herbs for sexual drive and to improve libido and observe how they influence your body, but keep doses low until you figure out which ones work well for you and lower your dose if you feel the effects are too intense. And check with your doctor before trying any new herbal remedy since some of these are known to interact and impinge medications.

Protein: 21 grams in ⅓ cup (1 ounce) Seitan isn’t as popular as other proteins, but it should be! Made from wheat gluten, its texture resembles ground meat. It’s often used in pre-made veggie burgers or meatless nuggets. Seitan has a savory taste, like mushrooms or chicken, so it works well in dishes that call for an umami flavor. With a hearty texture, seitan can be the star of practically any vegan main dish. Add it to stir-fries, sandwiches, burritos, burgers, or stews. Like tofu, seitan will take on the flavor of any marinade or sauce.

Protein: 16 grams in 3 ounces If you like a protein with a bit of bite, add tempeh to your list. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh has a slightly nutty flavor and is pressed into a block. Most varieties include some sort of grains, such as barley or millet. Not only is tempeh a plant-based source of protein, but the fermentation process also creates good-for-your-gut probiotics. You can cut tempeh right off the block and use it as the base for a sandwich or pan-fry it with some sauce. Or, crumble, heat, and make it the star of your next taco night.

Protein: 13 grams in ½ cup cooked Lentils come in multiple varieties--red, yellow, green, brown, black. Regardless of the type lentils are small but mighty nutritional powerhouses. They pack a good amount of protein as well as iron, folate, and fiber. When cooked, brown lentils retain their texture and can be the base for a grain bowl or make a hearty substitute for ground meat in meatballs, lasagna, tacos or Bolognese. Red lentils are a bit softer and make a nice add-in for a hearty soup, chili, or stew.

Protein: 10 grams in 3 tablespoons Hemp seeds are a tender and nutty seed, derived from the hemp plant. They contain good amounts of omega-3s, iron, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. They are also a solid source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to keep your digestive tract healthy and humming. Because they pack a double whammy of protein and healthy fats, hemp seeds can help satisfy hunger, preventing those embarrassing stomach growls as you slog your way to your lunch break. Add them to your morning smoothie or sprinkle them on top of yogurt, oatmeal, or even a salad.

Protein: 9 grams in 3 ounces (⅕ of a block) Made from coagulated soybeans, tofu is the most popular plant-based protein. Soy is one of the only meatless "complete" proteins, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids that the body can’t make but needs for muscle and immune function. With 15% of your daily calcium needs, tofu is also a good replacement for dairy.

Protein: 9 grams of protein in ½ cup This sushi appetizer is a nutrient powerhouse, so eat it anytime. Edamame is really just another name for soybeans in their pods. Let’s list off some stats--a small ½-cup serving of edamame has 9 grams of protein, 15% of your daily vitamin C, 10% of your daily iron and 16% of your daily fiber. Keep a bag of edamame in your freezer to serve as a fun-to-eat side dish or opt for the shelled variety to toss into salads or a grain bowl.

Protein: 8 grams per cup (cooked) Quinoa is an ancient grain and since it's gluten-free a great choice for anyone avoiding gluten. Add it to your burger recipe to create filling texture, or instead of meat in your taco or burrito. Quinoa is among the healthiest foods on the planet, delivering phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory qualities, so keep it in your pantry for any meal that needs a filling grain. Just remember to soak it and rinse before cooking to get rid of any bitter taste.

Protein: 7 grams in ½ cup (canned) Eating beans on the regular might as well be a prerequisite for a plant-based diet. Not only are canned black beans inexpensive, but they also contribute 10% of your daily iron and 25% of your daily fiber to your diet. For less than $1 a can, beans can be the star of tacos, quesadillas, salads, soups, burgers, or dips.

Protein: 6 grams in ⅔ cup (cooked) Chances are you’ve never cooked amaranth. But you should, since this tiny, gluten- free grain is packed with almost 30% of your daily fiber and 20% of your daily iron. Cook it like a traditional grain to yield a soft, porridge-like texture. Many people add amaranth to other a hot breakfast cereal mixture, like oats and quinoa. It also pops like popcorn. Toss it in a pot with some oil and wait for it to pop up into a nutritious snack.

Protein: 5 grams in ⅔ cup If peas were one of your most hated veggies as a kid, it’s time to give them another chance. These green beans are a great low-calorie protein to keep in your freezer. Sure, they don’t always taste great when steamed or microwaved (who wants to eat mushy, overcooked peas?), but they do blend well into a yummy puree that can be slathered on toast. To amp up the flavor, add some lemon juice or mint to your mix before you blend.