The natural herbs guide to female sensual health

In our guide to male sexual stimulants, we created an eco-sexy list of non-pharmacological supplements purported to increase a man’s libido and overall sexual well-being and performance. Here, we focus on natural ways to get a woman’s love-gears in motion. With a partner or without. And we looked to women around the world and their ancient traditions for some clues. Where science is yet to catch up, folk wisdom will carry us.

First, it’s important to note that female desire, arousal and sexual satisfaction are complex and subject to a myriad of emotional, physical and psychological factors. And while finding ways to tickle the feminine fancy is a hot topic amongst eco-sexuals searching for natural ways to enhance pleasure, it’s also seen as a huge, untapped market by big pharma companies seeking profit.

This past June, the FDA gave a thumbs down to Boehringer Ingelheim’s drug for female arousal disorder, Flibanserin. Known as “female Viagra” the drug was Intended to enhance desire in women (hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)), but Flibanserin suffered from mixed results in clinical trials, most notably an effect not much better than placebo.

This ruling underscores an issue facing women in the Middle East as well, where the use of nutritional aids is popular.  Even as industry is intent on generating a need for medical intervention – by shaping our concept of what constitutes female sexual arousal, and defining it in such a way to garner a larger percentage of potential users – eco-sexperts know that overall well-being improves sexual health and performance, often for far less than pharmacological agents.

A word of caution: the information provided here is not meant to be a substitute for visiting your medical health professional, especially if you believe you suffer from low libido, or other disorders such as sexually transmitted diseases, or pain during intercourse. Reasons for decreasing desire, arousal, or ability to reach orgasm can be attributed to many factors, including hormonal changes, menopause, drug therapy, pregnancy, or other health conditions that indirectly effect sexual well-being. These absolutely require medical attention.

And remember, be your own personal eco-sexpert and choose only organic and sustainably harvested supplements.

Herbal and vitamin supplements for women:

Arginine

Higher blood flow makes clitoral and vaginal tissues more sensitive and responsive to sexual stimulation and helps increase the possibility of reaching orgasm. Although there haven’t been nearly as many studies done on arginine supplementation in women as in men, one study found that postmenopausal women who took a supplement including L-Arginine experienced heightened sexual response.

The study involving women of all ages found that after four weeks, 73.5% of the women who took a supplement including L-Arginine experienced greater sexual satisfaction, including heightened desire and clitoral sensation, frequency of intercourse and orgasm, and less vaginal dryness.”

Natural arginine sources include:

• Walnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Pecans
• Peanuts
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Brazil Nuts

But if you are prone to cold sores or the Herpes virus, you should avoid arginine. There are other options below.

Bishop’s Hat

Bishop’s Hat: Also known as Epimedium, Rowdy Lamb Herb, Barrenwort, Fairy Wings, Horny Goat Weed, or Yin Yang Huo, it is probably the most famous of all natural aphrodisiacs. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction in men in China for centuries. There is little evidence that it might work for women in published science journals. Ask in your circles.

Horny goat weed contains chemicals that might help increase blood flow and improve sexual function. It also contains phytoestrogens, chemicals that act somewhat like the hormone estrogen.

It’s a potent PDE-5 inhibitor, that works by the same method of action as viagra and will increase blood flow to the genitals and increase the sensitivity of the sexual nerves, as well as increasing a woman’s desire for sexual gratification.

Black cohosh

Black Cohosh: Also known as squawroot, it may imitate the effects of the female hormone estrogen and help to balance hormone levels in menopasusal women. Black cohosh is purported to treat some of the most common symptoms of menopause including low libido, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and mood swings.

Israeli women use black cohosh for labor. Possibly for feminine health in general?

It’s given by midwives to induce labor and it worked, according to Green Prophet’s editor Karin Kloosterman who reported starting active labor an hour after taking black cohosh.

Boron

There is nothing boring about Boron: Boron is vital for reducing excretion of both calcium and magnesium.

This in turn assists in maintaining healthy bones. It is also essential for estrogen production, and can have a rapid effect in helping menopausal women. Sex drive may return within just a few days sometimes after it has been absent for years, and a rapid reduction in hot flushes. Boron raises the level of natural sex hormones in the body.

Natural sources of boron:

• apples
• coffee
• dried beans
• milk
• potatoes

Calcium

Calcium: “Calcium supplementation can relieve the physical and emotional toll of PMS by almost 50%. At least half of the 497 women she studied who took 1,200 mg. of calcium supplements experienced fewer mood swings, depression/sadness, anxiety/nervousness; breast tenderness, bloating and other aches and pains.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, N.D. reported similar results after studying 10 women with PMS who spent half the study period on a daily diet containing 600 mg. of calcium, the other half upped to1300 mg. Women on the high calcium diet were less irritable, weepy, and depressed and averted backaches, cramping, and bloating.” (source)

Damiana

Damiana, also known as Mexico’s natural Viagra: “Damiana is a herb used traditionally by the Mayan people of Central America to enhance sexual function in men and women.

“It is reported to be an aphrodisiac, stimulant, mood enhancer, and a tonic….The use of damiana as an aphrodisiac is somewhat controversial because there is no scientific evidence that it works and yet it has been widely promoted as a sexual stimulant.” (source)

Fennel Seed

Fennel Seed: “Fennel seeds contain a compound called phytoestrogen, which acts like a mild form of estrogen. This property makes it an effective remedy for regulating menstruation, relieving the symptoms of menopause and helping nursing mothers to increase their milk production.” (source)

Ginger

Ginger: “Ginger has been used for Centuries as a highly effective aid to digestion. But its classification as a natural aphrodisiac comes from its ability to increase circulation. Served pickled, candied or in the raw, ginger increases sensitivity in the erogenous zones.” (source)

Asian Ginger

Asian ginseng is purported to have estrogen-like effects on the female reproductive tissues and may prevent vaginal atrophy. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests ginseng can improve strength and promote longevity. Asian ginseng contains compounds known as ginsenosides that are thought to give ginseng its medicinal properties…

It is especially good over the long term, because it helps the body secrete moisture. [However,] the University of Maryland Medical Center says there is little research to support widespread beliefs that Asian ginseng can improve sexual desire.

Maca

Maca root may help to balance and encourage the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These effects may improve vaginal dryness in women and help restore sexual desire. Maca root contains a number of vitamins along with calcium, zinc and iron.

Maca is a sacred medicinal root vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and only grows around 4000m above sea level in a remote part of the Peruvian Andes.

The Incan people call maca the “food of the brain” and consider it their most sacred plant that brings happiness and balance back to their body during stress. What is unique about maca is that it comes in 3 colours, with seeds from any colour producing all 3 colours again, according to Little Bird Organics.

Magnesium

Magnesium is important for regulating the flow of calcium between cells and is essential for adequate calcium uptake, which can lead to fewer PMS symptoms such as irritability, depression, headaches, backaches and menstrual cramps.

Foods with magnesium?

• Pumpkin seed – kernels: Serving Size 1 oz, 168 mg.
• Almonds, dry roasted: Serving Size 1 oz, 80 mg.
• Spinach, boiled: Serving Size ½ cup, 78 mg.
• Cashews, dry roasted: Serving Size 1 oz, 74 mg.
• Pumpkin seeds in shell: Serving Size 1 oz, 74 mg.
• Peanuts, oil roasted: Serving Size ¼ cup, 63 mg.

Labisa Pumila

Labisa Pumila or Kacip Fatimah is a small woody and leafy plant that grows and can be found widely in the shade of forest floors in Malaysia that has been traditionally used as a tea by women who experience a loss of libido for over 500 years.

Kacip Fatimah is known to rejuvenate the vagina, by tightening the walls and skin, increase blood flow to the clitoris and vagina, increase the length and quantity of orgasms, and above all greatly increase sexual desire.

Rose root

Rhodiola rosea appears to work by influencing key central nervous system chemicals–neurotransmitters called monoamines (dopamine and serotonin are examples). An imbalance of monoamines is believed to be involved in several hard-to-treat illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD); some herbalists believe taking rhodiola rosea to normalize monoamine levels may benefit these ailments.

Other studies on rhodiola rosea have shown benefits in such varied areas as increased learning capacity and memory enhancement, regulation of menstrual periods and infertility, reduction of side effects from cancer chemotherapy, increased sexual libido and erectile dysfunction, enhancement of thyroid gland function, increased capacity for work and endurance, and protection from environmental toxins.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, also called niacin, niacinamide, or nicotinic acid, is an essential nutrient required by all humans for the proper metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as for the production of hydrochloric acid for digestion.

Aadequate levels of B-3 are vital for the proper synthesis of insulin and the sex hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C influences a good sex life with its role in the absorption of iron, the formation of blood cells and the metabolism of the adrenal gland, all processes that affect your sex life.

The adrenal gland produces lots of hormones that influence your sex life, including a hormone that helps to stimulate orgasm. In addition, vitamin C also strengthens your immune system, protects against stress and helps keep your joints limber and active.

White Kwao Krua

White kwao krua (purearia mirifica) White kwao krua has been traditionally used by Thai women to enhance sexual health and libido. superba, locally named as red Kwao Krua is widely distributed in the Thai deciduous forest. mirifica is a Thai indigenous plant with a well-known local name as the white Kwao Krua.

Red Kwao Krua does not cure the body, but rather helps the body cure itself or helps the human body rejuvenate itself. Red Kwao Krua is suitable for men as a tonic, longevity drug in restoring sexual ability and relieving fatigue, hypertension and cholesterol in blood.

More sustainable sensual health:

Male Sexual Enhancements: Eco-Sexy Nutrition or Expensive Gimmicks?

Islamic Websites Offer Halal Adult Sexual Aids

Recipe: Eco-Sexy Natural Lip-Balm

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