Can Herbs Boost Sex Drive?

For millennia, herbs have been used as aphrodisiacs to enhance sex drive and performance. Many of these herbs are plants used to promote overall health. Recent studies on herbs like ginseng, maca, muira puama, rhodiola rosea and ginkgo biloba help back claims they support sexual function but more research needs to be done.

Ginseng
Panax (Asian or Korean) ginseng is a tonic (medicinal plant) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote overall health. Panax ginseng is an adaptogenic (stress-reducing) herb that may reduce fatigue and increase energy, stamina and libido. Although no studies have been done on ginseng's effects on libido, a 2003 double-blind study published in the Journal of Urology found that Korean red ginseng may treat erectile dysfunction. A 2004 study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics found that Korean red ginseng may help women balance hormones during menopause.

Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian herb used by the ancient Incas to increase endurance and libido. Maca is an adaptogenic herb that may reduce stress and fatigue and improve energy and stamina. It is widely available and taken as a dried root powder in capsules. A 2002 double blind placebo-controlled study published in Andrologia found that maca improved libido after eight weeks of supplementation.

Muira Puama
Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a Brazilian Amazon herb used in South American traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and rejuvenator. It is widely available and taken as a dried root powder in capsules. In a 2000 study published in Advances in Therapy, researchers at the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France found that a combination of muira puama and ginkgo biloba (called Herbal vX) improved libido in women. The researchers administered Herbal vX daily to 202 healthy women with low sex drive for 1 month. They found that 65% of the women reported significant improvement in libido.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract, derived from ginkgo tree leaves, has been used in TCM for thousands of years. There's conflicting evidence that gingko helps boost sexual desire. The 2000 study mentioned above found that a ginkgo and muira puama combo increased libido in women. However, a a 2002 study published in Human Psychopharmacology found that gingko didn't help sexual dysfunction in men taking antidepressants.

Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea has been used in Russian and Scandinavian traditional medicine for centuries. Rhodiola is an herbal adaptogen that may help reduce stress and fatigue and enhance fertility and libido. Although no studies have been done on rhodiola's effects on libido, a 2002 study published in Herbalgram investigated rhodiola's effects on 35 men with erectile dysfunction. They found that 26 of the men reported improved sexual function.

Sources

Hong B et al. A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. J Urol 2002 Nov;168(5):2070-3. PubMed.gov

Tode T et al. Effect of Korean red ginseng on psychological functions in patients with severe climacteric syndromes. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1999 Dec;67(3):169-74. PubMed.gov

Gonzales GF et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72. PubMed.gov

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. PubMed.gov

Kang BJ et al. A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. Hum Psychopharmacol 2002 Aug;17(6):279-84. PubMed.gov

Brown RP, Gerbarg PL, Ramazanov Z. Rhodiola rosea: a phytomedicinal overview. Herbalgram 2002;56:40-52. PubMed.gov

Gavalas, Elaine. The Yoga Minibook for Longevity. Simon & Schuster, 2005. elainegavalas.com.