OK ladies – let’s talk sex…
If you’re having trouble feeling the heat in the bedroom, you’re not alone. Research indicates that 32% of women experience lack of sexual desire, which is more than double the percentage of men’s reported low libido!
It’s nothing to be ashamed about, though unfortunately, this is still a tough topic to dive into. Though we’re going to break it down and make it a little easier for you.
Sex Psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph.D, comments that ‘women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and complicated’, and when it comes to libido in women, there can be a range of factors which all affect our sexual desire.
Common causes of low libido stem from issues in a woman’s intimate relationship, stress, lack of nutrition, lack of exercise and some medical conditions such as thyroid problems and endometriosis. Contraceptives such as birth control in oral forms or hormonal replacements can disrupt female hormones, which affect libido directly.
That’s all to say that yes, us women are complex, complicated creatures.
Though rather than shun such issues like low libido due to embarrassment or shame, what if we instead embraced that fact that our sensitive systems just need a little extra loving care and attention?
Sex is Amazing – For Our Health Too!
This often taboo topic of sex drive is more openly discussed now that growing research in this area proves the important role that a healthy sex life has on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
We all need some loving. So let’s work with our bodies to give them a little extra helping heat!
Sex is great for reducing stress, building a deeper connection with our partner, and supporting a healthy relationship to our bodies and our selves. One large-scale study from China found that women who experienced a higher quantity and quality (as claimed by both partners) of sex reported feeling happier than those women lacking sexual stimulation. Studies have also linked dissatisfaction with sexual experiences to lower levels of happiness, as well as lower reported physical and mental wellbeing.
Think about that post-sex glow and energy flow – what’s not healthy about that?!
If you have been suffered from lack of desire, or are just after a little extra boost to jazz up your sex life, the following remedies are the 10 most potent natural aphrodisiacs as backed by science, straight from women’s experiences. We’ve include a range of herbs, foods and oils that are all accessible for you to implement in your everyday life.
We’ve got you, girl.
Herbs
Herbal remedies interact strongly with the hormonal system. They also offer the body support in absorbing vitamins and minerals that can all aid in creating the environment where hormones surge and the body is ripe for stimulation. Herbal remedies can be taken in concentrated capsules, as tea or through other modes of consumption, like eating. We suggest that you speak to a natural health care professional to decide which form, and dosage, is right for you.
Foods for Feisty Feels
We are what we eat. So it follows that what we ingest has a big effect on the way in which our bodies circulate blood, balance hormones, calm the nervous system and flame our internal fire. Below are also some of helpful diet tips, which have been found to boost desire! Eat up!
Oh Oh Oils!
Essential oils are another a natural way to increase libido. You can use them in diffusers in the bedroom, mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil for massages, or simply rubbing on your wrists, back of neck and temples will soak up through your skin into your body.
The Top Ten Natural Aphrodisiacs to Boost Libido
#1: Maca (Herb)
For centuries, women residing in the Andes have used Maca root (often as a powder form and ingested or the root in fresh brewed tea) as an aphrodisiac. Maca is claimed to support the hormonal balance in women, with studies showing that increased sexual experiences and satisfaction were reported by women taking Maca root. The most common forms of taking Maca are in capsules or as powder added to food… Sexy smoothie anyone?
#2: Ashwaganda Root (Herb)
As claimed in the Kama Sutra, this herb is said to ignite desire and sexual passion. This herb increases blood flow to organs, with women reporting to have more sensational experience in sexual organs like the clitoris. Traditionally, it is taken as powder mixed into tea, or as an extract in liquid or tablets.
#3: Tongkat Ali (Herb)
Termed by Dr.Oz as one of the ‘greatest aphrodisiacs’ from nature, this herb is also referred to as ‘natures Viagra.’ It is used in libido enhancing synthetic medicinal treatments already, though it is most potent in its natural form. This herb is used to arouse desire and increase sensitivity in the body, as well as to relieve stress. Especially helpful for women dealing from low libido due to mental overwhelm. Usually it is taken in capsule form.
#4: Tribulus Terrestris (Herb)
As another natural sexual desire stimulant, the fruit, leaf and root are all used in various medicinal forms. Tribulus works by stimulating the androgen receptors in the brain, which improves the body’s sensitivity to sex hormones like testosterone. For women who took this herb every day for 4 weeks, they experienced an increase in sexual desire, an increase in lubrication and higher arousal and orgasm satisfaction. For women dealing with hypoactive sexual disorder, this herb was found to be a safe an effective treatment. Also helpful for postmenopausal women who suffer form a decline in testosterone levels causing a desire drop, this treatment was used on elderly women, which resulted in positive improvements in sexual experiences.
Other herbs found to have aphrodisiac qualities in the research:
Catuaba, Ginkgo Biloba, Damiana, Ginseng,
#5: Favorite Four: Fig, Banana, Sweet Potato, Avocado.
It’s been claimed that these particular four fruit and veggies are all loaded with the minerals, vitamins and healthy fats needed to encourage blood flow to the genitals and balance the hormones. Since they’re delicious anyway, why not add more to your diet?
#6: Iron
It has been reported that women with low iron levels can have a disruption in their sexual desire. Dark leafy greens are packed full of iron, so be sure that you aren’t deficient by taking you blood to check your levels and increasing iron intake if need be.
#7: Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another one to remember. It improves circulation of the blood to the organs, which is one of the main components to assist with libido! Broccoli, guava, oranges and even red peppers are great natural sources of vitamin C.
#8: Water
Dehydration can affect your libido. Brain fog, decreased lubrication in the body, headaches and mood disruptions can all affect the desire for sex – all stemming from dehydration. Drink up!
#9: Chocolate
YES! You can – AND SHOULD – have chocolate!
Dopamine is the pleasure chemical. It’s one chemical we don’t want to rid ourselves of! As the mood is uplifted, stress is decreased, the body relaxes and becomes much more responsive to stimulation. Dark chocolate is the key – the more percentage of cocoa, the more dopamine. Research also reveals that the release of serotonin and phenylethylamine that occur from consuming dark chocolate is also an aphrodisiac.
#10: Oils
Sandalwood, Jasmine, Rose and Ylang Ylang are all well known aphrodisiacs in the aromatherapy tradition.
P.S – If low libido is due to hormonal imbalance, then sandalwood is especially useful, claimed to affect testosterone levels in it’s calming effect.
The Final Word – We Have Hope for More Heat
Natural remedies have been used for centuries – especially ones as known to be aphrodisiacs. Because, who doesn’t want some extra help for creating the heat?
There is still much more research to be done in the area of natural remedies for sexual dysfunction, and so the current results show promise for more research to be done in this area.
If you find yourself low on sexual desire, talk to a natural medical professional and try these aphrodisiacs yourself, or a combination, and see the results yourself.
What natural aphrodisiacs do you use to spice things up? Let us know in the comments below what has worked for you!
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Article References:
Akhtari, Elham, et al. “Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.” DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 22.1 (2014): 40.
Cheng, Zhiming, and Russell Smyth. “Sex and happiness.” Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 112 (2015): 26-32.
Collins, Sonya, and David Kiefer, MD. “Natural Sex Boosters: Can You Rev Up Your Libido?”WebMD. WebMD, 1 Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prevention-15/vitamins/sex-drive-supplements?page=4>.
Dording, Christina M., et al. “A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose‐Finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI‐Induced Sexual Dysfunction.” CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics 14.3 (2008): 182-191.
Group, Edward, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM. “10 Best Herbs for Boosting Female Sex Drive.” Global Healing Center. Global Healing Center, Inc, 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-best-herbs-boosting-female-sex-drive/>.
Henkel, Ralf R., et al. “Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors—a pilot study.” Phytotherapy research 28.4 (2014): 544-550.
“How to Increase Libido the Natural Way.” Dr. Axe. Dr. Axe, 20 June 2017. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <https://draxe.com/how-to-increase-libido/>.
Hull, Terence H. “Sexual pleasure and wellbeing.” International Journal of Sexual Health 20.1-2 (2008): 133-145.
Montgomery, Keith A. “Sexual desire disorders.” Psychiatry (Edgmont) 5.6 (2008): 50.
Waynberg, Jacques, and Sarah Brewer. “Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.” Advances in therapy 17.5 (2000): 255-262.