The quest for love potions is still ongoing after thousands of years. People seeking to enhance male libido can turn to herbal remedies that enjoy a long tradition of use. Some mainstream medical advisers advocate one herb, and there's good news on the scientific front as well, as studies seek to catch up to tradition. While most studies stop short of actually recommending herbs for boosting libido, early evidence is promising.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea has sex-enhancing properties, according to "Medicine Hunter," author Chris Kilham. This herb actually can help improve prostate function and help with erectile dysfunction, advises Dr. Mehmet Oz, director at the Cardiovascular Institute, New York Presbyterian/Columbia. It needs to be consumed as a tea or in conjunction with vodka or another light alcohol to work, Oz advises. If drinking tea, you can consume it up to five times a day. To create tea, finely cut 5 g of Rhodiola rosea root, and add to one cup of boiling water. Steep for four hours. Filter before drinking.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed has many libido-boosting effects, advises Kilham. This herb traditionally is used to treat erectile dysfunction, according to a study by N. Qinna published in the September-October 2009 edition of "The International Journal of Impotence Research," which notes that formulations containing this herb appear to work safely, but that more clinical study is needed to fully endorse horny goat weed products for this use. This herb does appear to increase blood pressure as well as intracavernous pressure, which is a measure of penile rigidity, according to a study published in the February 2010 "Journal of Sexual Medicine."
While this herb also is reputed to increase a man's testosterone levels and to boost his muscle mass, research to support these claims is lacking, advises the Nutritional Supplements Knowledgebase. This herb often is sold as a "natural Viagra substitute."
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is sold as a libido aid and to increase sexual energy levels, according to Ayurvedic Cure. In theory, this Chinese herb helps to stimulate sperm production, survival time, quality and motility, due to its steroidal saponin content, according to "Natural Healing Wisdom and Know How," by Amy Rost. Few human studies exist to back this theory, but a study published in the January 2010 "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that Tribulus terrestris boosts sperm production in rats.
This herb also may raise testosterone levels and improve athletic performance, but further study is needed to see long-term effects. A Ukrainian study on athletes found that the subjects' blood testosterone increased during the first half of a 20-day study, but that it did not continue to grow during the second half of the study, according to lead study author K. Milasius. Milasius also found that Tribulus terrestris boosted the athletes' physical power. The study was published in the 2009 edition of the Ukrainian physiology periodical "Fiziologicheskiĭ zhurnal."
References
- Medicine Hunter: Love Potion #9
- Ayurvedic Cure: Gokshura (tribulus terrestris)
- PubMed.gov: "Journal of Sexual Medicine;" Erectogenic and Neurotrophic Effects of Icariin, a Purified Extract of Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.) In Vitro and In Vivo; A.W. Shindel, et. al.; February, 2010
- "British Journal of Urology;" Validation of a Non-invasive Device to Measure Intracavernous Pressure as an Index of Penile Rigidity; P. Lavoisier, et. al.; September, 1989
- PubMed.gov: "The International Journal of Impotence Research;" A new herbal combination, Etana, for enhancing erectile function: an efficacy and safety study in animals; N. Qinna, H. Taha, K.Z. Matalka, A.A. Badwan; September to October, 2009
