Are you struggling to get in the mood for a little bedroom rendezvous with your mate? Is your sexual enthusiasm lacking? Are you ready to enjoy that physical intimacy again?
We all have peaks and valleys in our lives where sexuality is concerned. If you’re having difficult time getting out of the sexual rut, sometimes it helps to understand how you got there in the first place and then you can begin turn your situation around. A few of the causes which can lead to a low libido include: stress, lack of spark in your marriage, alcohol/smoking/drugs, obesity, diabetes, low testosterone levels, or your man is suffering from erectile dysfunction. Your lack of desire can even be blamed on something as simple as your diet lacking the nutrients it needs.
But all is not lost! There are many herbs and foods that can increase your desire and help bring your body into better balance by boosting testosterone, circulation and blood flow. For instance, the male hormone, testosterone, is naturally lower in women; and by increasing your level, you are nurturing your sexuality. Another major contributor to a healthy sexual appetite is zinc, and the lack of it in your diet could be causing your bedroom woes . . . whether you’re a man or a woman. Be aware, though, that too much zinc in your diet can trigger other health problems, so it’s wise to check with your doctor before radically changing your diet.
Natural herbs and foods can work wonders as a cure for your lack of desire, but they do need to be taken regularly and consistently. Usually within a couple of weeks, you will be able to feel the sexual charge again!
Almonds: Almonds are not only great for boosting a low sex drive, but they are also known for “curing” impotence.
Aniseed: The ancient Greeks and Romans believe that the licorice-tasting anise strengthened female sexual arousal.
Apples: Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Not if the doctor is your bed partner! Try an apple with honey and let it work its magic!
Arugula: This peppery, leafy vegetable was used by the ancient Romans as an aphrodisiac.
Asparagus: Rich in vitamin E, asparagus is very helpful in stimulating your sex hormones and rejuvenates the reproductive system for both men and women.
Avocados: Adding avocados to your daily diet is a very advantageous choice to get your sexual appetite back. The folic acid, vitamin B6, and potassium that avocados contain make it a great advocate for intimacy!
Basil: Basil not only enhances the flavor of your food, it enhances your sexual desire as well by increasing heart rate and improving your blood flow.
Cardamom: The ancient spice Cardamom also increases your blood flow. It comes in pods and needs to be ground before using.
Carrots: Maybe it’s the suggestive shape of a carrot that captures your attention (wink, wink). Regardless, carrots contain vitamins which are important in hormone production.
Celery: High in essential nutrients necessary for great sex, celery also contains androsterone and adrostenol which act as a sexual attractant when eaten and can help you feel more physically attractive!
Chili Peppers: It’s known that chili peppers heat up your body and increase your blood flow. The pepper’s secret ingredient is capsaicin, which also causes the brain the release those feel-good endorphins. Chili peppers leave your skin flushed and your lips swollen, drawing sexual attention to you as well!
Chocolate: Pure, dark chocolate contains phenlyethylamine (PEA) which triggers the release of the same hormone that your body releases during sex, as well as igniting the dopamine production in your brain.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is known to increase sex drive as well as reduce urinary tract infections when taken regularly. Cinnamon helps by lowering high blood sugar, which restricts the blood flow to the genitals. If you can control your blood sugar, better sex is available to you!
Coconut Water: Coconut water has the same level of electrolytes that you have in your blood and is a metabolism booster, which gets your blood flowing.
Coriander: Coriander (cilantro seeds) has warming properties which is why it’s considered an aphrodisiac.
Dairy: Yogurt, milk, and cheese are all high in zinc which can benefit a healthy sex life.
Dates: Dates on date night? It just may be a winning combination! As you and your partner connect over dinner and a movie, snacking on a few dates can help restore your sex drive and increase your endurance!
Fish: Cold water fish, like sardines and salmon, are high in zinc and an excellent choice to add to your diet.
Garlic and White Onions: Eating two to three raw garlic cloves every day can greatly increase your libido (but maybe not your breath!). White onions and garlic are beneficial for your sexual health by strengthening your reproductive organs. This combination is known to be one of the best libido enhancers.
Ginger: Ginger works like chili peppers by heating up and increasing circulation and body temperature.
Ginkgo Biloba: If you’re suffering from sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants, ginkgo biloba may be a helpful remedy.
Ginseng: By balancing your body both physically and biochemically, ginseng can restore and increase your hormone level.
Honey: Honey is a good sexual remedy for both men and women. For men lacking testosterone, honey helps by supporting testosterone production. For women, it contains boron which is found in estrogen production, and which can help increase female desire. Look for local raw and organic honey if possible.
Oysters & Shellfish: Probably the most well-known aphrodisiac is the oyster. Extremely high in zinc, eating raw oysters regularly is a great remedy for a women’s arousal.
Pomegranates: Improving blood flow, the seeds of the pomegranate are thought to increase genital sensitivity.
Pumpkin Seeds: Very high in zinc, pumpkin seeds (as well as many other nuts and seeds) can increase fertility and sex drive. They are also packed full of omega-3 fatty acids which work by cleaning your arteries and capillaries, thus enhancing blood flow.
Sarsaparilla: Believed to support sexual performance, sarsaparilla naturally contains the steroids testosterone and progesterone.
Watermelon: Watermelon’s arousal magic comes in the form of nitric oxide (citrulline) which helps to open blood vessels and increase circulation.
Yohimbe: Yohimbe works well for both men and women. It increases the flow of blood through the vessels to the genitals causing expansion, which in turn increases circulation and encourages sexual arousal.
Other Ideas to Boost Your Sexual Desire
Exercise: Exercise and fitness is great way to increase your desire. By exercising and getting in shape, you get your blood pumping and increase your circulation. Thirty minutes of exercise daily – whether by simply walking, aerobics, swimming, or even yoga – can do wonders for your health, your body, your self-image, and your sexual desire. It can help you feel better about yourself and give you the confidence you may be lacking, which in turn will help you feel more sexy and confident in the bedroom!
Tantric Massage: A tantric sexual massage may be something you find appealing. A tantric massage is done in the nude and involves full body sensual touch with no intercourse involved. By waking up all your senses without the pressure of having to “perform,” you can create closeness between you and your partner and make for a very intimate experience. A few props can be useful, too, for awakening those senses. Some suggestions include oils (peppermint’s cooling effects may be a fun choice), feathers, and maybe even a blindfold!
Visual Stimulation: Sometimes witnessing something as simple as two people in love and being affectionate with one another can instigate your own sexual desire. Depending on your open-mindedness or tolerance, there are many movies and books available; whether romantic or more graphic in nature.
Aromatherapy: Another option to put you in the mood for sex is through the use of aromatherapy. A massage with jasmine or rose otto oil can help stimulate your erogenous zones. Incense is another to awaken your senses to sexuality. Sandalwood, ylang ylang, orange blossoms, jasmine, lavender, and neroli are great choices.
So, if your libido has been letting you down, don’t worry. There are many things you can do to increase that sexual intimacy with your lover again. Just be open-minded and optimistic! Though you may not experience a drastic change overnight, you can still enjoy the journey of dancing between the sheets with your lover again.
Cited Sources
Wong, Cathy. “Natural Remedies for Sexual Dysfunction in Women.” About.com Alternative Medicine. N.p., 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://altmedicine.about.com/od/sexualhealth/a/TreatFemaleSexu.htm>.
“Herbs To Increase Sex Drive.” Herbs to Increase Sex Drive. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://www.natural-herbal-remedies.net/herbs.html>.
Choudhary, Vaibhav. “Home Remedies for Low Libido.” The Times Of India. N.p., 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-20/health/28001494_1_almonds-home-remedies-apple>.
Emmerson, Kassidy. “Natural Remedies for Loss of Sexual Drive.” Yahoo! Contributor Network. N.p., 20 Aug. 2006. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://voices.yahoo.com/natural-remedies-loss-sexual-drive-54036.html>.
Mikal, Sarkozy. “Natural Health Wellness.” Low Sex Drive in Women Symptoms and Home Remedies to Increase Female Libido. N.p., 24 Apr. 2011. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://natural-healthwellness.blogspot.com/2011/04/low-sex-drive-in-women-symptoms-and.html>.
Cohen, Suzy. “10 Natural Aphrodisiacs to Turn Up the Heat.” Women’s Health Issues. N.p., 11 Nov. 2011. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://www.lifescript.com/life/sex/libido/10_natural_aphrodisiacs_to_turn_up_the_heat.aspx>.
Snyder, Kimberly. “25 Foods That Are Natural Aphrodisiacs.” 25 Foods That Are Natural Aphrodisiacs. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2012. <https://www.kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2011/10/03/25-foods-that-are-natural-aphrodisiacs/>.
Sandhyarani, Ningthoujam. “Foods High in Zinc.” Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 19 June 2012. <https://www.buzzle.com/articles/foods-high-in-zinc.html>.
Amar, Charu. “Boost Your Sex Drive with Aroma Therapy.” The Times Of India. N.p., 26 Sept. 2009. Web. 19 June 2012. <https://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-26/man-woman/28109773_1_oils-aphrodisiacs-sexual-prowess>.
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