Any food, drug or herb that provokes the sexual urge, stimulates venereal intent and enhances enjoyment and efficiency, is known as an aphrodisiac. . This term is taken from the Greek Goddess of love, ëAphroditaeí, and these compounds are extracted from plants, animals or mineral resources and have been the desire of man since ancient times. [1] In Africa and Europe, several natural herbs or compounds have traditionally been regarded as aphrodisiacs, such as yohimbine mandrake herb, field rhinoceros horn etc.
It’s also known that chocolate, coffee, strawberry, raw oysters, and honey have aphrodisiac properties. While these natural products are stated as aphrodisiacs, these claims are backed by no or no scientific evidence. Natural aphrodisiacs are considered to enhance sex drive, efficacy or sexual gratification, strengthen and improve sexual pleasure, and performance in men, though pharmaceutically very few of these have been recognized yet.
Aphrodisiacs herbs
These herbs are called after the old Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, destined to improve libido (commonly known as sex drive), increased susceptibility, increase excitation, increase endurance, and improve efficiency’ for both males and females. Several certified and legally sourced herbs from around the globe that are praised as improving sexual relationships are listed as follows.
There has never been a good opportunity to obtain herbs with’ nutritious, curing, relaxing, and hormonally regulating characteristics, so let’s have a glance and see which of these herbs provide cure to your issues.
Avena sativa
Avena Sativa is also referred as “Nature’s Viagra”. It stimulates and relaxes the nervous system, simultaneously enhance libido in men and women, making it a strong aphrodisiac. In males, it is assumed that Avena Sativa raises the rates of luteinizing hormones (LH) synthesis. The pituitary gland secrets LH and signals the testicles to generate more testosterone.
It also promotes the release of bound testosterone, thereby attempting to balance the hormones required to maintain a healthy sexual desire, response, and grades of energy. While in case of women the herb components serve as a tonic to the nervous system, and provides a great relief from fatigue. Tradition dictates it to the enhancement of vaginal stimulation and the emotional and physical urges for sex are progressed. [2]
Satureja khuzestanica
Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad belongs to the Lamiaceae family, a native herb in the southern region of Iran. The impact of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) on male rat fertility has been investigated by Sulmaz et al. SKEO was clinically tested by administering with drinkable water at concentrations of 75, 150, and 225 mg/kg per day for 45 days. On day 45 of treatment, treated and untreated control rats were paired with females. All measured variables, like potency, fertility, fertility index, and carcass weight, were observed to be significantly improved in SKEO treated rats[3].
SKEO co-administration greatly restore reproductive health by maintaining plasma testosterone, semen content and spermatogenesis by minimising cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced, traumatic stress, and DNA damage, as per Rezvanfar et al. It is assumed that free radicals mediate the toxic effects caused by CP on androgenesis and spermatogenesis. Via its antioxidant capacity and androgenic action, SKEO safeguards the reproductive system from CP toxicity.
Also, in SKEO-treated populations, levels of FSH and testosterone were substantially raised. SKEO also elevated the health of testicles, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate masses. Histopathological research recorded a rise in the quantity of spermatogonium, spermatid cords, Leydig cells, and spermatozoids in male rats treated with SKEO [4].
Erythroxylum catuaba
This plant’s aphrodisiac qualities are, undeniably, it’s most prominent and widespread in use. This herb synthesizes some alkaloids, which have role in stimulation of nervous system.
In men, Catuaba increases the flow of blood to the genitals, may improve and maintain an erection, improves sexual arousal, and is known to treat erectile dysfunction.. Whereas in women, Evidence indicates that the bark extracts, increases blood flow to the vagina, boosting vulnerability and orgasms. [2]
CONCLUSION
The quest for natural medicinal plant supplementation is likely to be increased because of its lower side effects, its easy accessibility, and lower prices. In certain disease conditions, the medications and therapies offered have limited effectiveness, adverse reactions, and contraindications. It is acknowledged that several botanicals have a possible influence on sexual activities, endorse older claims, and offer new expectations. This review outlines several botanicals that may be possibly useful in the treatment of sexual dysfunction while analyzing different parameters that influence sexual function. Increasing studies are required to analyze the consequences of humans and the safety profile of natural aphrodisiacs.
The use of these items can be dangerous for humans because of the inaccessibility of safety information, uncertain processes, and a lack of information to support the widespread use of these products. While there seems to be little danger as it affects the concentration and motility of spermatozoa on the persistent use of this local aphrodisiac, its effect on anatomy can also constitute a reproductive hazard as it raises the amount of irregular sperm cells per ejaculate.
REFERENCES:
[1] M. Yakubu, M. Akanji and A. Oladiji, “Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male albino rats”, Asian Journal of Andrology, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 399-404, 2005. Available: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2005.00052.x.
[2] “Herbal Aphrodisiacs”, Indigo Herbs, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/aphrodisiacs. [Accessed: 24- Nov- 2020].
[3] S. Haeri et al., “Effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on male rat fertility”, Fitoterapia, vol. 77, no. 7-8, pp. 495-499, 2006. Available: 10.1016/j.fitote.2006.05.025.
[4] M. Rezvanfar et al., “Protection of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in reproductive tract histology, sperm characteristics, and DNA damage by an herbal source; evidence for role of free-radical toxic stress”, Human & Experimental Toxicology, vol. 27, no. 12, pp. 901-910, 2008. Available: 10.1177/0960327108102046.
[5] X. Chen, “CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION BY GINSENOSIDES AND THEIR NITRIC OXIDE RELEASING ACTION”, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 728-732, 1996. Available: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1996.tb01767.x.
[6] D. Patel, R. Kumar, S. Prasad and S. Hemalatha, “Pharmacologically screened aphrodisiac plant-A review of current scientific literature”, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. S131-S138, 2011. Available: 10.1016/s2221-1691(11)60140-8.
[7] R. Estrada-Reyes, P. Ortiz-López, J. Gutiérrez-Ortíz and L. Martínez-Mota, “Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) recovers sexual behavior in sexually exhausted males”, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 123, no. 3, pp. 423-429, 2009. Available: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.03.032.
[8] P. Akah and J. Alemji, “Studies on the effects of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract and fractions on biochemical and hematological parameters in diabetic rats”, Planta Medica, vol. 75, no. 09, 2009. Available: 10.1055/s-0029-1234707.
[9] I. Nnanna Isaiah, O. Florence, O. Jelilat Taiwo, E. Augustina and O. Nosa Terry, “Improvised Eosin and Leishman as Morphological Stain for Sperm Cell Analysis; Adult Male Wister Rats and Rabbit as a Model of Study”, ACTA SCIENTIFIC MICROBIOLOGY, vol. 1, no. 1, 2018. Available: 10.31080/asmi.2018.01.0004.
[10] J. Ariagno et al., “SHEDDING OF IMMATURE GERM CELLS”, Archives of Andrology, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 127-131, 2002. Available: 10.1080/014850102317267436.
