herbs that aid a woman's sex drive and hormonal balance
If the summer sun is the only thing heating up your bedroom, nature can help you fan the flames of desire. Loss of libido affects women of all ages and walks of life. In fact, 43 percent of American women complain about sexual problems, including low libido, according to a 1999 article in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Because a healthy libido depends on physical and mental factors, any number of causes can affect its function. Practitioners of both conventional and alternative medicine admit their knowledge of sexual longing is far from complete. "There are mysteries here," says Chris Kilham, an herbal researcher from Lincoln, Mass.
he most common culprits for passion plummets are stress, medications, life changes, menopause and poor physical or emotional health. Judith Weinstock, M.D., an ob/gyn in Brooklyn, N.Y., says no less than half of her patients over age 45 report a loss of libido. Many of those patients, Weinstock says, are experiencing menopausal symptoms. And what happens to women's bodies during menopause is no medical mystery: There's a natural decrease in testosterone, the "desire" hormone, and estrogen, which helps women produce lubrication.HERBS
Herb Function
Chaste berry Has an estrogenic effect
(Vitex agnus that relieves discomforts
castus) accompanying menopause
Fennel Contains an estrogen-like substance
(Foeniculum (estriol) that boosts libido;
vulgare) alleviates bloating and other
PMS-related symptoms
Fenugreek Has an estrogenic effect,
(Trigonella boosting libido; also minimizes
foenum- vaginal dryness
graecum)
Hawthorn Improves circulation to the
(Crataegus extremities, including genitalia;
laevigata) also promotes movement
of hormones in blood
Oat straw Reduces vaginal dryness and
(Arena sativa) soothes the nervous system
Herb Dosage(*)
Chaste berry Tincture: 15-40 drops daily
(Vitex agnus Capsules: Up to 3 (650 mg.) capsules daily
castus) Tea: Steep 1 tsp. dried, ground berries in
1 cup hot water for 10-15 minutes
Fennel Tincture: 30 - 50 drops in water up to 4x/day;
(Foeniculum for maximum effect, take for 4 - 6 weeks,
vulgare) Capsules: Up to 3 (400-500 mg.) capsules
per day for 4 - 6 weeks; repeat if necessary
Fenugreek Capsules: Take 1 (600-700 mg.) capsule
(Trigonella 2-3x/day for 4-6 weeks
foenum- Seeds: 1 1/2 tsp. daily, chew a few at a time;
graecum) for maximum effect, take for 4-6 weeks
Hawthorn Tea: Steep 1 tsp. dried blossoms in 1 cup
(Crataegus hot water for 5 minutes; drink 1 cup twice
laevigata) weekly and when in the mood for love
Oat straw Tincture: 25 drops, 3x/day
(Arena sativa) Tea: Steep 1 oz. dried tops in 1 quart boiling
water for 2 hours; drink 1 -2 cups daily
Herb Comments
Chaste berry Avoid if pregnant, if undergoing
(Vitex agnus hormone-replacement therapy or
castus) taking birth control pills.
Fennel Not recommended for people with liver
(Foeniculum problems or for pregnant women.
vulgare) Although rare, skin allergies and respiratory
tract reactions have been reported.
Fenugreek Avoid during pregnancy because
(Trigonella this herb can stimulate uterine
foenum- contractions.
graecum)
Hawthorn No known side effects.
(Crataegus
laevigata)
Oat straw No known side effects. Take for 4-6
(Arena sativa) weeks to relieve acute problems;
use long-term to maintain libido.
Herbs for men help treat the specific health needs of the male population. Along with the many therapeutic herbs that promote general health and well-being, there are a number of natural herbs that have been shown to treat particular conditions that affect men as they go through life.
In a recent German study of type 2 diabetics, taking cinnamon extract daily successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%. 
Frying, broiling, or grilling meats at high temperatures creates HCAs (heterocyclic amines), potent carcinogens implicated in several cancers. But HCA levels are significantly reduced when rosemary extract (a common powder) is mixed into beef before cooking, say Kansas State University researchers. "Rosemary contains carnosol and rosemarinic acid, two powerful antioxidants that destroy the HCAs," explains lead researcher J. Scott Smith, PhD. 
Ginger can prevent stomach upset from many sources, including pregnancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy. "This is one of Mom's remedies that really works," says Suzanna M. Zick, ND, MPH, a research investigator at the University of Michigan. A powerful antioxidant, ginger works by blocking the effects of serotonin, a chemical produced by both the brain and stomach when you're nauseated, and by stopping the production of free radicals, another cause of upset in your stomach. In one study of cruise ship passengers traveling on rough seas, 500 mg of ginger every 4 hours was as effective as Dramamine, the commonly used OTC motion-sickness medication. In another study, where subjects took 940 mg, it was even more effective than the drug.
Several animal studies back holy basil, a special variety of the plant you use in your pesto sauce, as effective at reducing stress by increasing adrenaline and noradrenaline and decreasing serotonin. This is no surprise to Pratima Nangia-Makker, PhD, a researcher at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, whose mother and grandmother relied on a tea made from the leaves of holy basil to relieve indigestion and headaches.
You probably know that research has confirmed this herb's power to relieve mild to moderate depression and anxiety as effectively as many drugs without a lot of the side effects.
High consumption of garlic lowered rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers, says a 2006 research review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A 2006 Japanese clinical trial also found that after a year of taking aged garlic extract supplements, people with a history of colon polyps saw a reduction in the size and number of the precancerous growths detected by their doctors.
Andrographis does a great job of relieving upper-respiratory infections, such as colds or sinusitis, says new research. A study in the journal Phytomedicine reported that the herb eased symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, sore throat, and runny nose up to 90%.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is very effective for hydrating mucous membranes and alleviating vaginal dryness. It contains palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid found in human skin that helps moisturize and heal it.
A group of moderately heavy drinkers in their 20s voluntarily cut their beer consumption in half after taking capsules containing the Chinese herb (also called Pueraria lobata) for a week, according to a study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Researchers say the kudzu more quickly allows alcohol to get to the part of the brain that tells you that you've had enough.
