Have things not been as hot as you’d like in the bedroom lately? You might be finding yourself saying, “not tonight honey,” more often than you’d like. Stress, exhaustion, and hormonal changes can leave you feeling dull and less than sexy. All these things may be taking a toll on your sex life.
Since a healthy sex life is a stress buster, joy inducer, and a really good way to connect in your relationship, sex isn’t something you want to let go by the wayside. The yogis will say not to overdo sex, but finding a good balance is the key. So, if you’ve been turning your partner down a little more than you’d like, it’s time to turn to some natural spices to turn the heat up.
1. Cloves
This warming, slightly sweet spice increases blood flow and body temperature. Cloves also increase energy, relieve stress and anxiety, and ingesting them leaves you sweetly scented. They increase nervous stimulation resulting in arousal, and it improves sexual performance.
Cloves increase testosterone levels which are important for both men and women’s sex drive. In addition, they are high in omega-3 fatty acids, manganese, vitamin K, and they contain eugenol, which serves as an antiseptic and mild anesthetic.
YOU CAN START BY ADDING IT TO YOUR SMOOTHIES
2. Fenugreek
The seeds of this plant are commonly found in curries and other Indian cuisines. The spice itself has a warm, intriguing flavor. A study found that there was an increase in sexual desire and arousal by consuming the seed extract. Results also demonstrated that vaginal lubrication and blood flow improved for women.
Fenugreek may also help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, and lactating women have used the spice for decades to increase milk production. The seeds may serve to enhance cardiovascular health and overall human performance, which is very necessary for the bedroom. Fenugreek seeds are also one of the easiest seeds to sprout, and one of my personal faves.
3. Ginger
We love ginger at Solluna. This warming herb comes from the root of the ginger plant, and it imparts a spicy, slightly sweet flavor and scent. Like garlic, ginger increases blood flow, especially to the sexual organs. It also warms you up, increases your energy, and it smells a lot better than garlic.
Many cultures have used ginger as an aphrodisiac, and Dr. Mehmet Oz confirmed it on a recent show when he listed ginger as one of his top 4 libido boosters. Ginger is mentioned in the last chapter of the Kamasutra, India’s handbook on love and sex.
It is also high in potassium, magnesium, and copper. It is a great anti-nausea substance and has anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Fennel
This licorice-flavored herb looks a little like celery with lacy fronds at the top. You can chop fennel stalks and add them to foods much like you would celery, or use the fronds to flavor foods. You can also grind the seeds as a spice.
Ancient Egyptians used fennel to boost women’s libido, and it turns out there is a good reason it worked. Fennel has estrogenic effects and can even help relieve menstrual cramps. It is a miracle worker for improving sexual satisfaction for postmenopausal women and decreases menopausal symptoms in women and andropause symptoms in men, it’s a win-win!
Fennel is also used to aid digestion, assist with lactation, and to loosen phlegm in bronchial passages. Okay, I admit I personally think licorice doesn’t taste great to many people, but if you like it it will be great for you to use for your benefit!
5. Saffron
While known for being a little expensive, a tiny bit of saffron goes a long way. Large amounts can result in overdose (so don’t take it as a supplement), but a small amount can not only increase sex drive, but also sexual function.
Saffron has antioxidant qualities and supplies selenium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. It can help out with vaginal lubrication and may act to reduce premenstrual symptoms. Saffron is also a mood booster, so next time you feel tired or “not up to it,” a small amount can leave you feeling brand new. Try making some saffron brown rice as a side dish for your next meal.
6. Garlic
You may laugh at garlic on a list of sex-enhancing foods. After all, people on dates often avoid garlic because they don’t want to kill the mood with smelly breath when the evening turns to romance. Regardless of how it makes your breath smell, the high levels of allicin in garlic improves blood flow to your sexual organs, and that’s a turn on.
So what’s more important? There’s always parsley for your breath.
Garlic is also great for your heart, and it has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. For the perfect dish for your next date night, try out Solluna’s quinoa stuffed peppers.
7. Cardamom
The ancient healing art of Ayurveda recommends cardamom for low libido. This spice contains high levels of cineole, which increases blood flow to the male and female sexual regions.
Cardamom increases energy and relieves fatigue, this can help you when you are feeling exhausted or stressed.Cardamom also balances doshas (Ayurvedic body energies) and has detoxifying properties. Put cardamom in your home-made chai teas with Solluna’s recipe.
8. Nutmeg
Another sweetly scented spice, nutmeg has long been used in Indian culture as a very popular libido booster. In Africa, many people refer to nutmeg as “Viagra for women.” Researchers at the Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, India tested nutmeg as an aphrodisiac using animal studies and found that it did, indeed, increase sexual behaviors. It is great sprinkled on top of sweet potatoes.
9. Cayenne
It only makes sense that hot peppers will cause a little sizzle in the bedroom. Cayenne and similar hot peppers not only heat up the body, but they also speed metabolism and increase blood flow to sensitive areas.
Eating cayenne may also give you an attractive, flushed appearance, which may help heat things up for your partner, as well. Cayenne may also be beneficial to heart health and could help you lose weight by firing up your metabolism.
MAKE OUR SEXY TIME SMOOTHIE WITH CAYENNE
10. Basil
This sweet herb has a pleasant taste and stimulating scent that is known to increase sex drive. In fact, Italians call Basil “Kiss me Nicholas,” and ancient Greeks served basil to horses before they bred them. Many attribute basil’s sweet scent with its sex-boosting properties, so take a heady whiff and see if it doesn’t get you in the mood!
Enjoy the Results
Now that you have learned more about these natural herbs and spices, you will be able to have a healthier sex life and reduce stress and fatigue. You just have to incorporate them into your diet and enjoy the results.
For more ideas on how to use these spices, we have a variety of recipes that you can try. From smoothies and salads to desserts and snacks, we are sure there are many things you’ll love. You and your partner will thank us!
Hi Kim!
Homemade chai tea sounds yummy! Any chance you would be willing to share the recipe?
I use rooibos chai typically, and steep the tea and the cardomom first. Then I heat up hemp or almond milk, and go 5050 with the water and milk, adding stevia to sweeten. xx
Hey Kim,
Can you talk to how do birth control pills affect sex drive? It would be great if you could write a post on the pill in general.
Thanks!
Daisy
I agree!!!! :)
Shannon
Excellent. Thank you
Hi Kim
My husband keeps talking about me being dry, can I possibly mix the 10 herbs together cause they all have what I need
Hi Vivian – thank you for your question. I would first try using 1-2 herbs per recipe before trying to combine all of them at once. You want to make sure you can narrow down any specifics on what is helping you or not. If you add all of them it will take longer to narrow down which herb(s) are helping or not. Try using the mix of 1-2 herbs in each recipe, throughout the day, in smoothies, salads, desserts and snacks. Be sure to write down which herb, when and how you’re using each. Then, keep track on how you feel and if things down under are improving. Best of luck. Have fun with it. Sending you lots of love! Xo
This very interesting, thank you for sharing!
Nice one
Hi Kim,
I read your blog all the time,love it. Tnx for all the great info. I do have a question though, my bowel seems to always get blocked even though I keep a clean diet. I get acne on my neck. What do you suggest I do?
Try colonics or the magnesium oxygen supplement I recommend. xx
Where can u buy the magnesium oxygen supplement?
Hi Kim :-)
I was wondering where I can find coconut yogurt? Also, is there a particular brand of millet bread you’d recommend that I can find at Trader Joes?
You can find coconut yogurt at health stores. Millet bread isn’t at TJ’s I don’t think, but there you can at least get sprouted bread (spelt contains gluten though).
That’s so funny that garlic and many of the spices found in curry are good for your sex drive. Hopefully, the other person is eating the same thing. I hear that when a couple eats garlic, it cancels out the usually offensive odor, or something like that. I also heard that it’s better to eat raw garlic for that very reason.
Love the chai idea. I’ve been drinking the Vanilla Rooibos at Starbucks thanks to your suggestion :-)
Awesome! So glad Starbucks has it. :)
What is a good way to eat cloves? Can u put them in chai tea?
yes!
I just got my latest bloodwork results back…since starting the detox solution, cutting out beans and other things and adding coconut fat to my diet my ldl level has gone from 97 to 115! And I’m vegan! I’m freaking out! Help!
Don’t freak out. Every person’s body is different. Adding the GGS and eating a mostly plant-based diet should improve levels and has for many people. But if it’s not working for you add more beans or add back what you were having before that was working for you. xx
Kimberly, I love drinking the glowing green smoothies, but since I have been having them regularly,I find that I am very thirsty all day long. I can’t seem to quench my thirst, no matter how much water I drink. What do you think this means and what can I do about it?
Hi Janet, that is interesting. Usually it works the opposite way. If you are thirsty, maybe your body is rehydrating areas that really need to, such as areas in your digestive tract, which can happen when you transition your diet. Drink lots of water, and see if it passes. If it persists, you ask your doctor about it. xx
HEY KIMBERLY….
I saw a you-tube video of you viewing your YOGA DVD in 2010. Did you ever finish it and if so, where can I purchase it?
Hello! I bought/read your book and love every bit of info in it! Thank you for all your hard work and efforts! After reading this blog I bought some fenugreek seeds, how do you suggest eating or cooking them? thanks!
Hi there, wonderful! You can try sprouting them!!
Yum, basil and nutmeg are 2 of my absolute favorites!
Hi Kimberley, love your book. I have a good/disciplined time with the smoothie and eating healthily before pmt starts roughly 10 days before my period. Do you have a smoothie that helps dimish pmt? or any advice on what fruit/veg to eat to diminish pmt? i cave in and start eating rubbish which totally defeats the purpose!
thank you
I need a herb for sex drive if possible
I too am interested in herbs to help with your sex drive. We got alittle off track. I know I have been told that the maca root is suppose to help stablize your hormones and bring back your sex drive.
Maca is supposed to do that. I personally prefer to use every day food items and incorporate them into my meals, which can be just as effective. xx
Hi, I just read ur 10 herbs & spices list 2 increasing sexual libido. My question may b funny but I hav 2 kno, is this, in a romance novel I read the heroine was kidnapped by a man who wanted 2 marry her 4 nefarious reasons but he had 2 seduce her 1st, so he bought an herb that was boiled an drunk as a tea. According 2 the book it worked in half an hr 2 set the young lady in a state of heightened sexual desires. I can’t recall the name offhand, but I believe it was yohimbe! Can this b used as tea with those results? If so how long do the effects last?
Yohimbe is an actual aphrodisiac, though the effects are not that clearly defined.
Very usefull in4mation..
thanking u…
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
sexual arousal
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for the informative list. I am surprised you limited it to ten as there are so many more that apply! I just ordered some organic Damiana.
“Damiana is a popular aphrodisiac for men. The alkaloids contained within damiana stimulate blood flow to the genital area thereby increasing sensitivity; some even people report feelings of euphoria. It has also been traditionally used by numerous people for the purpose of enhancing orgasms in women.”
I highly suggest trying it (*blush*).
Keep up the great work educating everyone, you are doing a fantastic job and you look amazing!!!
=)
Tanks a lot for this 10 roots advise i would be needing more of ur advise to stay long when having sex
Let me quickly use ones rss after i can’t find your own e-mail membership website link or maybe e-newsletter assistance. Conduct you’ve virtually any? Make sure you allow me to comprehend to ensure that I could just subscribe. Appreciate it.
Very good article. Short and sweet with very nice pictures. I have been researching many herbs lately and I’m glad I found your site.
Mr.Makingusmile
I would like to know what spice really drive up your sex drive in a man rally quick
Aside from garlic and saffron, some of the herbs mentioned above are new to me. Thank you for sharing this information with us.
Thanks so much Darin…Enjoy! ;)
I am at my 50’s now. Surely, I no longer have my 18 year old body. I suggest that if you want to preserve your vitality even at 50, you should start taking care of your body while you are young. So, when you get old, it is your body that will take care of you.
I agree Shaun – thanks for sharing. Lots of love to you! ;)
Thank you for the blog. I really liked that you have told the importance of herbs in our sexual life.
Thanks so much Tushal…lots of love to you! ;)
Yes, I agree with these herbs and spices. Thanks for this blog. I am Ayurvedic specialist and I know the value of Ayurveda.
Happy to have you visit the site. Lots of love! ;)
Ginger… Just had to comment that the three best methods in my experience on this topic are hard aerobic exercise, long peaceful sleep without light, sound, or an alarm, and ginger. Last night was very interesting after the inclusion of a healthy quantity of ginger paste in my dinner stir fry. At the onset of sleep, I encountered a particularly robust male hypnagogic image which I allowed to pass through me. That does not happen very often. After a full night of sleep in the morning hours, my dreams were erotic, to put it mildly, and the physical effects put Viagra to shame. Be careful with too much ginger too close to bedtime because it makes you warm and can give you a mild stomach ache.
Remember Gilligan’s Island sitcom of the 70-80s? Now I know why they called the sexy daughter “Ginger”.
Thanks for your great share William! Keep up the good work in taking care of your overall health and wellness. Lots of love and support to you! ;)
Very Good Information .Thank you Keep up the good work
Thanks so much. Lots of love! ;)
I just want to know weather all of these dry spices can grind together and keep their mixture and take one or half spoon every night with water before sex/intercourse ?
Would there be a side effect for trying this or it is safe to do and gain maximum strength and stamina???
Regards,
Great question, Shahrukh. In theory you could make a spice blend from a combination of these spices and herbs, although it might have an interesting flavor :) If you have any concerns about how these spices/herbs might interfere with other medications you might be taking, I would recommend checking with your doctor first to be sure!
Hi Kimberley, I would like to know where can one get maca, because it seems that the shops around(including hers ans spice shops) here doesn’t know what maca is.
Hi Milton! You can typically find maca at your local health food store, at Whole Foods, or online from Amazon or another online retailer. :)