woman's sex herbs

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.