When it comes to keeping up with her sexy bits, Kim Kardashian swears by pineapple juice. And while limited evidence supports drinking pineapple juice as fruitful, the market for sexual enhancement is ever-expanding, with a vast array of new remedies to try.
To nobody’s surprise, the highest demand in this market comes from those seeking to cure sexual dysfunction—which again, unfortunately, can’t be solved by pineapple juice. Other plant-based remedies, however, may be worth exploring. Viagra might be the “it girl” right now, but historically, ancient cultures looked toward aphrodisiacs to get it up. From yohimbine and the mandrake plant to even the rhinoceros horn, naturally occurring consumables have been used to enhance sexual desire and performance.
At this point you may be wondering, what exactly is an aphrodisiac and how do they work? Derived from the name for the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, aphrodisiacs are a potentially effective alternative to modern sexually enhancing remedies, combating sexual dysfunction without the side effects. Aphrodisiacs, commonly defined as foods or drugs that increase human sexual instinct and induce venereal desire, can even increase pleasure and performance.
Although some aphrodisiacs such as the Spanish fly were later discovered to be toxic, and commonly known foods such as chocolate have little to no scientific evidence proving their success, many aphrodisiac plants have shown promise in pharmacological tests. This article expands on some of these plants, describing the mechanisms that enable their aphrodisiac-like effects and detailing research supporting their effectiveness—with a particular focus on erectile dysfunction (ED).
Mondia whitei
Mondia whitei, a plant from the Periplocaceae family, has been traditionally used by practitioners of herbal medicine to manage erectile dysfunction and improve low sperm count. Lampiao et al. conducted a study in 2008 where they administered the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei to human sperm in a laboratory setting. The results showed a significant improvement in movement capabilities of the sperm over time. These findings suggest that Mondia whitei may be beneficial, especially for persons with reduced sperm motility.
Another study in 2000, by Suresh-Kumar et al., explored the effects of the aqueous and hexane extracts of Mondia whitei on sexually inexperienced male rats. They observed that these extracts reduced the hesitation time of the male rats towards receptive females, as indicated by a significant decrease in the "ML" (presumably referring to the latency period). This indicates that Mondia whitei extracts may work by influencing neurotransmitter levels, modulating their effects on target cells, or increasing androgen (male hormone) levels. Additionally, this study supports the previous findings that the aqueous and hexane extracts of Mondia whitei have an adrenergic effect when administered to rats over a longer period of time.
Panax ginseng
Ginseng is a prominent herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Panax, meaning “all curing”, is the genus name given to ginseng. Accordingly, ginseng has various health-improving properties. These properties are reported to include cardiovascular, immune, and neuronal effects, which aid in sexual enhancement and satisfaction.
Ginseng can be particularly effective in remedying Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Biochemically speaking, a component of ginseng, ginsenosides, induces NO synthesis in endothelial cells and perivascular nerves. This release of NO aids the smooth muscle of the penis in relaxing, which in turn allows more blood to enter erectile bodies, causing erection.
In addition, studies have shown that Asian and American ginseng can increase libido. In those assigned male at birth, the hormone testosterone plays a crucial role in regulating libido. It is produced in a specific cell called the Leydig cell, which is controlled by another hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the pituitary gland. When testosterone levels are low, it often results in reduced sex drive, and doctors commonly prescribe testosterone as a treatment.
Interestingly, studies conducted on rats have shown that consuming ginseng from Asia can increase testosterone due to the compound called ginsenoside Rg1, which is present in Asian ginseng. American ginseng has a similar hormonal effect, in that it stimulates LH production due to the presence of ginsenoside Rb1. This suggests that ginseng may have a positive effect on sexual desire by increasing testosterone and LH.
Moreover, consuming ginseng can increase sperm count. Ginseng extracts have been shown to stimulate DNA and protein synthesis in rat testes and increase sperm count in both rodents and humans. In rats, ginseng treatment increases spermatogenesis by elevating the expression of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Sertoli cells and activating testicular cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM). GDNF plays a role in the survival and development of spermatogonial cells, while CREM is essential for spermatid maturation. Those with low or no CREM protein/mRNA may experience a specific blockage of round spermatids, potentially leading to infertility.
Using Panax ginseng has been shown to increase sperm density and motility in patients with low sperm count and motility, as well as in healthy individuals. These effects are mediated through the activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and increased production of nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is closely associated with sperm function, and ginsenoside Re has been shown to enhance human sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction by increasing intracellular NO production.
Pausinystalia yohimbe
Pausinystalia yohimbe, the “herbal Viagra” of Europe, is an evergreen tree native to West Africa and also found in Asia. It is recognized as the only herb listed in the Physician's Index reference for sexual function and was even approved by the US FDA as the first plant-derived drug for impotence treatment in the late 1980s.
Yohimbe is believed to be effective in treating ED due to its ability to enhance blood flow by dilating blood vessels. This increased blood flow to the penis helps in achieving erections. Additionally, yohimbe is known to increase the production of norepinephrine, an essential factor in the formation of erections. Studies have shown that yohimbe can restore potency even in diabetic and heart patients who experienced impotence primarily due to their underlying conditions. Yohimbe is also believed to stimulate the pelvic nerve ganglia and boost adrenaline supply to nerve endings, resulting in increased sexual sensation and stamina. In some cases, penis-owners without ED have reported increased sexual vigor and prolonged erections when using yohimbe.
Turnera diffusa
Turnera diffusa, also known as damiana, is a plant from the Turneraceae family that is considered an aphrodisiac in folk medicine. Its effects are similar to yohimbe, being that it contains flavonoids that improve blood flow through increasing levels of NO available in the endothelium.
To investigate the effects of T. diffusa on sexual behavior, Estrada et al. conducted a study in 2009 using male rats. The study found that T. diffusa, administered at a dose of 80 mg/kg, significantly increased the percentage of male rats achieving one ejaculatory series and subsequently initiating a second one. It also reduced the post-ejaculatory interval. Interestingly, in a study testing T. diffusa on female mice, there were no observed aphrodisiac-like effects; however, this may be due to issues in methodology, such as its limited number of subjects. Further investigation is recommended in exploring T. diffusa’s effects on females.
Note: These plants are merely a fraction of the available plants having aphrodisiac potential. Curated lists by Kotta et al. (2013) are provided below to describe other plants, their aphrodisiac effects, as well as products that contain these plants. Additionally, this article largely pertains to those with penile anatomy. Limited scientific research has been conducted on sexual enhancement remedies for persons with vaginas or other sexual anatomy, and further studies are recommended.
List of plants having aphrodisiac potential.
List of some herbal products available in market.
Written by Nicole Smith-Vaniz.