Stress is one of the number one facets of modern existence that’s keeping us from truly letting loose in the bedroom and having transcendent, mind-blowing sex with our partners. When we’re wound up and mentally preoccupied, we can’t tune in and be present in our bodies or hearts. Aphrodisiac herbs make powerful allies for us in this regard by easing our nerves, freeing our minds, and stimulating our body’s capacity for tactile pleasure.
The following 5 herbs, recommended by our resident Alchemist’s Kitchen herbalists, are potent aphrodisiacs that can help us open our minds, hearts and bodies to sensual pleasure and deep emotional connections. Read on to find our what our herbalists have to say about them .
Damiana, An Aphrodisiac Herb for the Whole Body
Turn on your whole body with damiana, a bright yellow herb native to Mexico thats been used since ancient times by the Aztecs for its stimulating effects on the libido for both men and women. Damiana alleviates stress and uplifts the mood, allowing one to relax and disengage from anxious thoughts, and open their heart to their partner.
This potent herb also heightens physical sensation throughout the whole body by increasing blood circulation in the genital area, which enhances clitoral sensitivity and intensifies overall pleasure. It also stimulates testosterone, the hormone behind men and women’s sex drives.
“Damiana is aphrodisiac herb for the whole body, all the senses, specifically the genitals,” explains Alchemist’s Kitchen resident herbalist Micaela Foley. “It helps your feel grounded in your body so you feel more tactile pleasure, and it’s also heart-opening.”
Damiana is commonly steeped in tea, taken as a tincture, or smoked in an herbal blend. Michael recommends pairing damiana with THC or CBD to potentiate its effects.
Free Your Mind With CBD
Like Damiana, CBD oil, the non-psychoactive component in marijuana that’s garnered lots of attention for its powerful medical effects in recent years, is great for helping one stay present during sexual experiences. If you find your mind wandering during sex, or if insecurities or other neurotic thoughts make it hard to stay in the moment, CBD can help bring you to a more euphoric, tuned in state.
CBD also heightens physical sensations throughout the body,
“CBD has an affinity for the peripheral nervous system,” says Micaela, “peripheral meaning your extremities, or nether regions. CBD in particular is effective for heightening sensation in the body and genitals.”
CBD can be particularly useful for women who experience pain during sex, since it’s been shown time and time again in studies to be an effective treatment for various kinds of chronic pain.
CBD can be ingested as a tincture, vaporized, or applied topically.
Maca, a Boost to the Libido
Maca, a root vegetable found in the Andes of South America, is getting a lot of attention for its powerful libido boosting properties.
“A lot of new scientific studies are reporting that maca can be a natural aphrodisiac for both men and women by balancing sex hormones in the body and increasing energy, strength, stamina, and libido,” says Alchemist’s Kitchen herbalist Emily Berg.
Research shows maca to be a potential treatment for erectile and sexual dysfunction as well. Emily explains:
“This is because maca is believed to increase levels of nitric oxide in the body, which is an important factor in maintaining an erection.”
Maca also packs a powerful nutritious punch. “It’s really rich in nutrients with high levels of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids that we need, but don’t always receive sufficient amounts of,” says Emily.
Like many aphrodisiacs, maca is also effective at improving one’s mood and overall sense of well-being. And that, of course, can only help our state of mind in the bedroom!
In America, Maca is typically crushed into a power for use in the United States.
Rose, A Powerful Ally for the Heart
The classic floral symbol of love, rose evokes sensuality and romanticism, making it a popular ornamental flower and age-old subject of reverence in art, literature, and mythology. As Emily says, “Rose is a flower that has come to symbolize love and is equated with sexiness.”
Rose is specifically an ally for the heart, opening it up and filling with with joy.
“Rose eases the nervous system,” says Emily, “relieving stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue, and also improves memory functioning and alertness. It’s also said to be an anti-depressant.”
Rose hips, which are the fruits of the rose, can be consumed raw or as teas, beverages, syrups, and jams, while the petals can be brewed into a tea. Rose’s sweet fragrance is also a staple in aromatherapy, helping promote feelings of well-being.
Spice up your Bedroom with Cinnamon
Cinnamon not only brings life to food with its savory sweet flavor, it also spices up bedroom activity. This warming spice heats up our bodies and increases our sexual appetites.
As a natural stimulant, cinnamon boosts cognitive functions, as well as libido. Cinnamon promotes higher testosterone levels, and also blood flow, which makes it effective at remedying mild erectile dysfunctions, and facilitating overall sexual arousal in men and women.
Its aphrodisiac qualities have garnered even biblical appreciation — the Proverbs sing its sensual praises, along with other spices, saying “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love till morning.” (Proverbs 7, 17-18). And in Ancient Rome, cinnamon was used to mean cinnamon, or darling.
Cinnamon-based oils can be applied topically to the genitals. It can also be prepared in a tea, or simply inhaled for its sweet, invigorating aroma.
For an aphrodisiac concoction involving cinnamon, try this blend by Alchemist’s Kitchen Arielle Hayat that she calls “Get in the Mood.”
She instructs:
“First warm some milk on the stove (organic almond, coconut, or dairy). Add two pinches of Cinnamon – a warming aromatic aphrodisiac to nurture deep passion, and stimulate circulation.
Then add pinch of cardamom, teaspoon of ashwagandha, teaspoon of cacao, 1-2 tablespoons of honey. Share a cup with your lover and enjoy the stimulation it provides.”
Each herb work in different ways with each individual. Try out these herbs for yourself to see which aligns with your unique make-up. One of them is bound to bring out the inner Goddess (or God!) of Love inside you. After all, the aphrodisiac comes from the Greek Áphrodísios, which refers to the love goddess herself, Aphrodite.
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For more ideas, check out The Alchemist’s Kitchen’s Season of Love collection!
