Natural Libido Boosters and Aphrodisiacs from Around the World

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Rooseveltr
It has been well documented that a healthy libido and a healthy sex life is a sign of good health. Fact: People with healthy sex lives live longer and are happier.
Just about everyone engages in intimate relationships beginning in our early 20’s and for many, the practice continues into our late 70’s or well beyond. Yet when we have trouble in this area, a lot of people are uncomfortable talking about it even to their partner. It can feel like we are suddenly lacking, broken or somehow “less than” in this very important area of our life, and for some, there is a tendency withdraw emotionally from the relationship.
There are pharmaceuticals to turn to; but many (wisely) don’t want to risk the side effects of putting these drugs into their system. The newest such drug on the market, “Addyi” is being dubbed the “Viagra for Women”, and comes with a slew of warnings. It is taken daily and warning number one? Don’t drink alcohol, EVER. The side effects (without alcohol) include drowsiness, fainting and nausea. The list of potential side effects of Viagra and its competitors is even longer; headache, upset stomach and/or nausea, abnormal vision, (I’m pretty sure this doesn’t mean he can suddenly see through walls ï), nasal congestion, back pain, muscular pain, diarrhea, chest pain, fainting…you get the picture; neither scenario sounds like it will lead to a romantic evening.
Is there anything else that actually helps?
Absolutely!!!
There is a wide range of help from the alte
ative medicine arena much of which has stood the test of time. These include culinary and medicinal herbs and spices, foods, supplements containing medicinal herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytonutrients; and/or a combination of these ingredients. You can use specific acupressure points, reflexology, sensual massage, aromatherapy, music, exercise and deep breathing exercises. The common link is that each of these signals the brain to release neurotransmitters, those brain chemicals that make us to feel happy, aroused, euphoric, sexy and bonded.
Hippocrates, known as the “Father of Medicine” extolled food as medicine. There are a plethora of foods that give our sex lives a boost. Bananas promote the release of nitric oxide; the same chemical responsible for the results found with Viagra. Asparagus has an abundance of folic acid; translating to stronger orgasms. Almonds, oysters and grass-fed beef all contain copious amounts of zinc which triggers the brain to produce testosterone for a stronger sex drive, and this is just a small sampling of the common foods available that give our libidos a boost-naturally.
There are specific herbs and spices; both medicinal and culinary that signals the brain to release endorphins and other neurotransmitters responsible for engaging our libidos. Ashwagandha has been used in India to reduce stress and enhance libido for hundreds of years. I recommended this to a young friend whose libido had sagged after the birth of her child-she reported back that she and her husband LOVED the results! A time honored tradition in Asia, recent university studies back up the use of cloves to restore libido.
It’s all in the touch: Our own remarkable bodies have a built in pharmacy to take care of all of our needs; it’s just a matter of learning how to turn on the faucet to release those extra neurotransmitters. These include testosterone, that jump starts sex drive in both men and women; dopamine, which gives us feelings of pleasure and signals penile erection; norepinephrine, responsible for arousal, energy and excitement and oxytocin, the bonding hormone. All of these can be turned on by just learning a few simple acupressure and reflexology points; and/or the art of sensual massage. Literally from head to toe, there are many places on both the male and female body that respond to gentle pressure and massage, releasing our feel good sex hormones. Here are 2 points from the healing art of acupressure:
First, get ready to relax and enjoy.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and relaxation is important if you want to fully enjoy each other’s bodies. A good place to start is with the Sea of Tranquility, (CV17). This point is located on the center of the breastbone, just 4 finger widths down from the base of the hollow beneath the throat. Hold this point for each other for a minute or two. This point is naturally pressed when you are in a firm hug and is very calming. It is also a great point to hold on each other after intercourse providing deep feelings of satisfaction, intimacy and bonding.
Elegant Mansion (K27), is located in the hollow directly below the collarbone protrusions and is healing and rejuvenating. If your energy is low, you can tap these points for a minute or two and you will feel remarkable revived. Begin breathing deeply and in sync with each other for one to two minutes while applying pressure to your partners Elegant Mansion will result in a deep connection between you.
Aromatherapy has been used since ancient civilization to signal our brain to release these same neurotransmitters for our benefit. As a matter of fact, our sense of smell elicits memories faster and with more detail than any other sense. The essential oil Black Pepper not only acts as a stimulating aphrodisiac, it is also a vasodilator; encouraging blood flow to all the right places. Rose, an extremely powerful aphrodisiac for women, calms and soothes while promoting the feelings of being sensuous and provocative. If you use aromatherapy and have a spectacular time, using the same oils the next time you are intimate will immediately put you back into the same frame of mind. Ecstasy anyone?
If you are the type that would rather just pop a pill, the newest scientific research has shown that certain herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytonutrients trigger the all-powerful neurotransmitters responsible for our sex drives, pleasure and ability to bond. Take the herb Pueraria Mirifica for instance. Dr. Christiane Northrup MD, reports that she has had patients that hadn’t been interested in sex for 15 years chasing their husbands down the halls after taking Pueraria Mirifica for a short time. What else does it do? According to Dr. Garry Gordon, MD it is one of the best neuro protectors he has ever found; and another very popular reason women take it is to increase their bust size, with excellent results! Three great reasons to try this herb, and there are many more supplements available to address any and all low libido issues.
Exercise and deep breathing also play an important role in our ability to reach arousal and have an orgasmic outcome. (Pun intended) There are some really simple breathing exercises that can be learned and implemented in just minutes a day that produce the desired effect. Take a look at: Libido Boosting Breathing Exercises. Or give Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong a try; they all have a reputation for building stamina and boosting libido.
Valorie Salimpoor a neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal has made it her life’s work to figure out how music affects the brain, and us. What she and her colleagues have discovered is that music triggers the release of the pleasure neurotransmitter dopamine, the same chemical released during sex (and eating). So playing your favorite tunes in the background really can put you “in the mood”.
If having a robust and deeply satisfying sex life is important to you and your partner, go exploring and see what works best for each of you. Take some time to learn how to turn on those super powerful neurotransmitters……You will end up feeling like Superman or Wonder Woman!! And you will both be saying Yes! Yes! Yes!
Just hold hands and stroll on over to www.libidouniversity.com and get ready to rock and roll! ï