Taking herbs such as maca, muira puama, gingko biloba and tribulus terrestris may help improve a women's libido. Maca was used by the ancient Incans to increase libido and improve stamina. Muira puama is used in traditional South American medicine as an aphrodisiac and to restore youthful vigor. Gingko biloba is used in herbal medicine to treat circulation, breathing and memory problems. Tribulus terrestris is used to support healthy hormone function and build lean muscle.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
In a double-blind, randomized study published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, researchers administered either 1.5 gm maca or 3.0 gm maca daily to 20 women with sexual dysfunction and decreased libido caused by SSRI antidepressant drugs. The Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Function Questionnaire and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale were obtained from the participants and analyzed to determine sexual dysfunction and libido. Ten participants completed the study and 16 participants (9 on 3.0 g daily and 7 on 1.5 gm daily) had at least one additional visit.
The researchers found that participants taking 3.0 gm maca had a significant improvement in sexual dysfunction, but the 1.5 gm group did not have improvement. The completed study group and the additional visit group experienced a significant improvement in libido. The study authors conclude that maca may relieve sexual dysfunction associated with the higher dose. Maca had a beneficial effect on libido that was not dependent on the higher dose.
Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) and Gingko Biloba
In a study published in Advances in Therapy, researchers administered a combination of muira puama and ginkgo biloba daily to 202 women with low sex drive for one month. Self-assessment questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine libido.
The researchers found that 65 percent of the participants had a significantly increased libido. This included increased sexual desire, increased sexual intercourse and Improvements sexual intensity.
Tribulus
Bulgarian researchers have conducted several studies on tribulus terrestris' effects on women with endocrine problems including menopausal syndrome. In one study, the researchers administered either two tablets (250 mg each) three times daily of tribulus terrestris or a placebo (control) to 50 women with menopausal syndrome (including low libido), for 60 to 90 days. Once improvement in symptoms was obtained the dose was reduced to two tablets daily for 50 to 60 days.
The researchers found that two thirds of the tribulus group had improvement in menopausal symptoms and a significantly increased libido.
References
- Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G, et al. A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI- induced sexual dysfunction. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91.
- Waynberg J and Brewer S. Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Adv Ther. 2000 Sep-Oct;17(5):255-62.
- P. Tabakova, M. Dimitrov, B. Tashkov. Clinical Studies on Tribulus terrestris Protodioscin in Women with Endocrine Infertility or Menopausal Syndrome.
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