In The Mood
In honor of Valentines' Day this post is all about natural love potions. Popular herbs and aphrodisiacs to keep your libido strong and keep you both in the mood, increasing desire and everything else that comes after that. The best aphrodisiac is having a sexual partner who truly loves you isn't it? Having sex can be a big stress reliever, releasing physically and emotionally, bonding and aiding in the release of endorphins. What about when stress is the cause of getting you out of the mood? Many factors can contribute to a drop in one's libido. Age, illness, hormonal cycles, nutritional deficiencies or even just the drain of everyday demands of work and relationships can create changes in a reduced sex drive. Besides eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising and reducing stress there are other ways to enhance your sexual desire; and herbs are a great way to start. Here are some popular herbs used for many years to help increase desire and keep you in the mood!
Maca Root
Also called "Peruvian ginseng", Maca is a folk remedy used to increase stamina, energy, and sexual function. As an adaptogen, Maca can provide more energy if it is needed, but will not overstimulate the body. This Superfood of the Incas is a nutrient-dense ancient medicine that has been prescribed for centuries by holistic Native American healers.
As an adaptogen it restores the body's homeostasis when undergoing stress, which means it has the ability to balance and stabilize the body's systems (cardiovascular system, nervous system, endocrine system, musculature, lymphatic system, etc.)
In women and men a powerful strength and stamina enhancer, as well as a libido-enhancing food-herb. Increasing sexual desire and fertility. You can also try Cordyceps (the Chinese longevity mushroom)
In women and men, Maca assists in creating hormonal balance while not having a direct affect on serum hormone levels.
Improves mental clarity, focus and eyesight sharpness
Ginseng Root
Increases stamina and energy
Stress adaptogen that allows one's body to adapt to and decrease the negative effects of stress
Damiana
A Mexican herb that can enhance female sexual function via active constituents that have progesterone mimicking qualities.
Love Potion Recipe
Try this love potion (found in the Yoga Journal) made from Ayurvedic herbs and foods to nourish the reproductive tissues and sexual fluids.
Instructions:
Simmer one cup of almond milk with the other ingredients (available at natural food stores) for 5 minutes. Pour into two demitasse cups and make a toast to your love.
1/2 teaspon of ashwgandha powder-Used for centuries as an aphrodisiac and a rejuvenative for the male reproductive system, Ashwagandha is said to bestow upon the user the strength and virility of a horse. This potent herb is traditionally used to increase fertility and libido, and has been reported useful in treating impotence. The increase in vital energy provided by Ashwagandha can be used to improve sexual performance and control or can be rechanneled and transmuted into the vibrant energy associated with health and well-being.
1/2 teaspoon of shatavari powder - Shatavari in Sanskrit means "one who can have a hundred husbands". It is the main herbal rejuvenative for females but works on both sexes as well. Shatavari nourishes and cleanses the female reproductive organs and ovum.
1/2 teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 teaspoon of licorice root powder
1/4 teaspoon of dry ginger powder
1 date, minced
A pinch of nutmeg
Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~ Author Unknown
Love & Light,
Claudia