Aphrodisiac

Aphrodisiac substances may promote passion and sexual arousal.

Here is a link to an interesting review of aphrodisiac herbs written by Cathy Wong, ND:  Devil’s Claw and Other Natural Aphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiac Recipes

Blog Articles

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

GENERAL

• Aphrodisiac activities of ginseng are reviewed.  From: Nocerino, E., Amato, M., & Izzo, A. A. (2000). The aphrodisiac and adaptogenic properties of ginseng. Fitoterapia, 71, S1-S5.

ANISE

• The article discussed fennel and anise used to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth, alleviate male climacteric, and increase libido.  The main constituent of both fennel and anise is anethole, and it may be the active estrogenic agent.  From:  Albert-Puleo, M. (1980). Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2(4), 337-344.

CALTROP

• Human trials of T. terrestris and its aphrodisiac and performance enhancing effect were reviewed.  From: Qureshi, A., Naughton, D. P., & Petroczi, A. (2014). A systematic review on the herbal extract Tribulus terrestris and the roots of its putative aphrodisiac and performance enhancing effect. Journal of dietary supplements, 11(1), 64-79.

CARROT (HALWA)

• This was a study of 96 women ages 18-35 with sexual disfunction. The treatment group that had an 8 week intervention of sexual health training plus a daily food item of carrot halwa, which included carrot root plus its seed extract, rose, saffron, honey, and other spices.  This group showed the greatest improvement compared to the health training only group and the group who received no training and no supplement. From: Molkara, T., Akhlaghi, F., Ramezani, M. A., Salari, R., Vakili, V., Kamalinejad, M., … & Motavasselian, M. (2018). Effects of a food product (based on Daucus carota) and education based on traditional Persian medicine on female sexual dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial. Electronic physician, 10(4), 6577.

DILL

• Dill extract increased sexual activity in male rats.  From:  Iamsaard, S., Prabsattroo, T., Sukhorum, W., Muchimapura, S., Srisaard, P., Uabundit, N., … Wattanathorn, J. (2013). Anethum graveolens Linn. (dill) extract enhances the mounting frequency and level of testicular tyrosine protein phosphorylation in rats . Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B, 14(3), 247–252.

FENNEL

• The article discussed fennel and anise used to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth, alleviate male climacteric, and increase libido.  The main constituent of both fennel and anise is anethole, and it may be the active estrogenic agent.  From:  Albert-Puleo, M. (1980). Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2(4), 337-344.
• A double-blind randomized controlled trial on 60 postmenopausal women showed a vaginal cream with fennel applied once a day for eight weeks reduced vaginal atrophy.  From:  Yaralizadeh, M., Abedi, P., Najar, S., Namjoyan, F., & Saki, A. (2016). Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. maturitas, 84, 75-80.
• Estrogenic activity of F. vulgare was demonstrated in genital size change of male and female rats.  From:  MALlNI, T., Vanithakumari, G., DEVI, N. M. S. A. K., & FIANGO, V. (1985). Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill seed extract on the genital organs of male and female rats.
• In a study of 180 postmenopausal women ages 45-55, taking 40 mg of a Ginkgo biloba tablet and 2-3 drops of aroma of geranium, rose, fennel, and lavender 3 times a day for 6 weeks reduced sexual disfunction compared to the placebo, gingko only, and aromatherapy only groups.  From:  Malakouti, J., Jabbari, F., Jafarabadi, M. A., Javadzadeh, Y., & Khalili, A. F. (2017). The impact of ginkgo biloba tablet and aromatherapy inhaler combination on sexual function in females during postmenopausal period: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Int J Womens Health Reprod Sci, 5, 129-136.

GINKGO

• In a study of 180 postmenopausal women ages 45-55, taking 40 mg of a Ginkgo biloba tablet and 2-3 drops of aroma of geranium, rose, fennel, and lavender 3 times a day for 6 weeks reduced sexual disfunction compared to the placebo, gingko only, and aromatherapy only groups.  From:  Malakouti, J., Jabbari, F., Jafarabadi, M. A., Javadzadeh, Y., & Khalili, A. F. (2017). The impact of ginkgo biloba tablet and aromatherapy inhaler combination on sexual function in females during postmenopausal period: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Int J Womens Health Reprod Sci, 5, 129-136.

GINSENG

• Seven randomized clinical trials for the use  of Panax ginseng to treat erectile dysfunction were reviewed and showed beneficial results.  From:  Jang, D. J., Lee, M. S., Shin, B. C., Lee, Y. C., & Ernst, E. (2008). Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 66(4), 444-450.
• Ginseng and other herbs were reviewed for male sexual dysfunction.  From: Bella, A. J., & Shamloul, R. (2014). Traditional plant aphrodisiacs and male sexual dysfunction. Phytotherapy research, 28(6), 831-835.

JASMINE

• The group of menopausal women who received an aromatherapy massage on the abdomen, back and arms with lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine in almond and primrose oils once a week for 8 weeks had reduced symptoms compared to the nontreated group.  From:  Hur, M. H., Yang, Y. S., & Lee, M. S. (2008). Aromatherapy massage affects menopausal symptoms in Korean climacteric women: a pilot-controlled clinical trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(3), 325-328. able 1
• In a study of 15 perimenopausal women per essential oil, aroma of jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils resulted in increased salivary testosterone levels.  From:  Tarumi, W., Kumagai, C., & Shinohara, K. (2019). Exposure to Essential Oil Odors Increases Salivary Testosterone Concentration in Perimenopausal Women. Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 62(2), 49-54.
• Jasmine essential oil has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac.  From:  Peace Rhind, J. (2012). Essential Oils. A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice. 2^nd Singing Dragon.

MELISSA

• In a small study with 89 women having decreased sexual desire, 500 mg of aqueous extract of M. officinalis taken twice a day for 4 weeks.  Measurements included increased desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.  Results showed sexual function was improved compared to the placebo.  From:  Darvish-Mofrad-Kashani, Z., Emaratkar, E., Hashem-Dabaghian, F., Emadi, F., Raisi, F., Aliasl, J., … & Zafarghandi, N. (2018). Effect of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) on sexual dysfunction in women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR, 17(Suppl), 89.

PASSION FLOWER

• Extract from the leaves of Passiflora incarnata had an aphrodisiac activity in male mice, increasint mounting time. From:  Dhawan, K., Kumar, S., & Sharma, A. (2003). Aphrodisiac activity of methanol extract of leaves of Passiflora incarnata Linn. in mice. Phytotherapy Research, 17(4), 401-403.

ROSE

• This was a study of 96 women ages 18-35 with sexual disfunction. The treatment group that had an 8 week intervention of sexual health training plus a daily food item of carrot halwa, which included carrot root plus its seed extract, rose, saffron, honey, and other spices.  This group showed the greatest improvement compared to the health training only group and the group who received no training and no supplement. From: Molkara, T., Akhlaghi, F., Ramezani, M. A., Salari, R., Vakili, V., Kamalinejad, M., … & Motavasselian, M. (2018). Effects of a food product (based on Daucus carota) and education based on traditional Persian medicine on female sexual dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial. Electronic physician, 10(4), 6577.
• In a study of 180 postmenopausal women ages 45-55, taking 40 mg of a Ginkgo biloba tablet and 2-3 drops of aroma of geranium, rose, fennel, and lavender 3 times a day for 6 weeks reduced sexual disfunction compared to the placebo, gingko only, and aromatherapy only groups.  From:  Malakouti, J., Jabbari, F., Jafarabadi, M. A., Javadzadeh, Y., & Khalili, A. F. (2017). The impact of ginkgo biloba tablet and aromatherapy inhaler combination on sexual function in females during postmenopausal period: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Int J Womens Health Reprod Sci, 5, 129-136.
• R. damascena oil reduces sexual dysfunction in male patients suffering from depression.  From:  Farnia, V., Shirzadifar, M., Shakeri, J., Rezaei, M., Bajoghli, H., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Brand, S. (2015). Rosa damascena oil improves SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in male patients suffering from major depressive disorders: results from a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 11, 625-635.

SAFFRON

• This was a study of 96 women ages 18-35 with sexual disfunction. The treatment group that had an 8 week intervention of sexual health training plus a daily food item of carrot halwa, which included carrot root plus its seed extract, rose, saffron, honey, and other spices.  This group showed the greatest improvement compared to the health training only group and the group who received no training and no supplement. From: Molkara, T., Akhlaghi, F., Ramezani, M. A., Salari, R., Vakili, V., Kamalinejad, M., … & Motavasselian, M. (2018). Effects of a food product (based on Daucus carota) and education based on traditional Persian medicine on female sexual dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial. Electronic physician, 10(4), 6577.

YLANG YLANG

• Ylang ylang may have aphrodisiac qualities.  From:  Tisserland, R.  (1988).  Essential oils as psychotherapeutic agents.  In Perfumery (pp. 167 – 181) Springer,  Netherlands.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated:10/24/19