Aphrodisiacs or medicaments of love

Any incitation that stimulates the senses and that awakens in a human being a romantic mood and sexual desires can be called an aphrodisiac. Here we will present certain plants that work as aphrodisiacs, plants that have been used in some cultures throughout history and whose sexually enhancing effects have, to some extent, also been scientifically proven.

According to Tantra, any energy can be used for spiritual growth in accordance with alchemical principles. Most aphrodisiacs increase vitality and sexual energy, and these primary energies can be transmuted and sublimated into for instance love, higher consciousness and elevated spiritual aspirations. Also, vitality and virility as such are important for successful tantric love-making, which can at its best go on for hours. Certain aphrodisiacs resonate not only with sexual power, but also with specific romantic energies at the level of the heart, thus opening the being of the lover at many levels, in addition to having numerous favorable physical and psychological effects.

It should be noticed that the effects are highly individual and are not the same for everyone. Thus, it is important that you find the specific aphrodisiac that strenthens the part of you that is yet not in harmony and balance in your structure as a whole. However, the most important aphrodisiac is what is found "between your ears", that is, to take care of your own well-being at all levels. If your being is in profound imbalance, no wonder pill in the world will, by itself, guarantee the blossoming of your love-life.

If you acquire the aphrodisiac in fresh form or as raw material, it is very important that you prepare it in the correct way. To increase the subtle effects, you can bless and consecrate the plant for a specific purpose before love-making. When you use a grind plant, the powder should be put under the tounge for at least ten minutes at the same time as you do a meditation to maximize its effects. There are certain energy centers under the tounge, which have an effect especially on the absorption of subtle effects. After the ten minutes, or more, you can swallow the rest with water.

Aphrodisiacs should be used with moderation, to secure their favorable and safe functioning. For most people, exaggerated dosage and porlonged usage can generate a series of undesired side effects. It is therefore crucial that you find out about the recommended dosage and time of use. There are some aphrodisiacs that may have combined effects with certain medications. Certain aphrodisiacs are not at all recommended for people with some specific health problems. Find out about these things before usage.

 

Aphrodisiac Plants

 

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

The Ashwagandha root is an important herb in Ayurveda. Naturally growing in rugged environments in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, it has been used for multiple purposes for more than 4000 years.

According to some studies, Ashwangandha's effect on sexual desire is a result of the swelling of the sexual organs that is caused by one of its chemical components, nitrogen oxide. Ashwagandha has also been shown to improve the quality of sperm.

Ayurveda taches that Ashwagandha enhances the production of sperm, increases sexual desire and remedies impotence. It decreases anguish and stress, calms the mind and evelates the state of mind. All of these effects are beneficial for successful love-making. As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha improves vitality and stamina, increaases endurance and strengthens the body.

 

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Ginseng is, just like maca, a well known enhancer of performance and libido. The botanical name of the plant, panax, refers to the Greek god Panacea, who was able to cure all kinds of diseases. Ginseng originally comes from China and Korea, where is has been used for more than 4000 years for a large number of medical and therapeutic purposes.

As an aphrodisiac, Ginseng helps men to strengthen the erection and to prolong its duration through its effect on the central nervous system and on the genitals. Its nitrogen oxide expands the blood vessels, thus making the genitals to swell and to be more sensitive to stimulation. Ginseng has a positive influence on sexual desire in both women and men.

Since Ginseng has a tonic effect, it should be used moderately. When in consumed daily, its use should be no longer than a few months.

 

Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale)

Jasmine is a maximally five meters tall tree which grows naturallyin the Himalayas, North India, Afghanistan and Kaukasus. It has a sweet, exotic and flowery scent. It is known in many cultures as a plant that brings love and as an ingredient in aphrodisiac juices. For instance, in India it has been used in the worship of Vishnu. For women jasmine has been a popular parfume to awaken the interest in men. As a medicinal plant, Jasmine has numerous favorable influences on health as a result of its relaxing and calming effects. In Ayurveda it is used for treating, among other things, fever, depression, impotence, and frigidity.

 

Cocoa (Theobroma cacoa)

In the ancient Central-American native cultures, cocoa was considered to be divine food, which is also suggested by its Latin name, as a result of its aphrodisiac properties. For instance, the Aztec ceasar Montezuma II was said to have drunk 50 chalices of cocoa daily in order to be able to make love with the women in his harem.

Cocoa does not actually increase sexual desire, but rather tends to have positive effects on sensuality, romanticism and intimate proximity, as well as on the opening of the heart. Women seem to be more receptive than men to the favorabel effects of cocoa.

 

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Cardamom is a plant with origins in southern India. It was imported to Europe for its spicy taste and antitoxic properties. In the west, cardamom is used for, among other things, to spice coffee, because to some extent it neutralizes the negative effects of coffein. The Arabs called cardamom "the seed of love". It is a highly regarded aphrodisiac, which not only increases sexual desire, but also awakens a feeling of "burning love". If you want a simple but efficient remedy to fatigue or lack of sexual desire, mix an ounce of ground cardamom with a fresh egg yolk and some honey. A delicious and nutritious desert is whole rice eaten with milk and honey and spiced with cardamom, coriander, ginger and saffron. Cardamom also gives a refined taste to cakes and other pastries.

 

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca is a perennia plant which grows in very harsh circumstances high up in the Andes, where only few plants survive. The ancient Incas are said to have used this root to increase their physical strength before battle. The warriors were, however, forbidden to continue its consumption as the conquest had been completed in order to protect the women of the conquered trieb from the effects of enhanced libido.

The shepards of the Andes ate this meaty root (reminicent of ginger) as a vegetable and fed their cattle with it. They noticed that the herb improved the health of the cattle and increased the fertility of the animals. This observation was confirmed many hundreds of years later in a scientific study which showed that maca increases the production of sperm in cattle.

According to some studies, maca doesn't strengthen the production of sexual hormons but specifically increases the amount of sperms. In addition, it improves sexual desire and general performance. One study found that maca had positive effects on the mood of women in menopause.

 

Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)

Muira puama is a small tree that grows in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. Muira puama may be confused with a similar plant, Liriosma ovata, which is also sold as muira puama but which actually is a different species.

The amazonian tribes have traditionally used the bark and root of the Muira puama for its aphrodisiac benefits and multitude of health effects. Muira puama has been used to treat pain, reuma, nerve problems, tension, anguish, tiredness and heart- and stomach problems.

Muira puama has been studied by pharmacologists and medical scientists. The studies have shown that it increases libido and sexual excitation. Parts of the plant have been used as medication for impotence. There are few or no side effects, sleeplessness may occur for someone.

The beneficial effects of Muira puama grow and intensify with use. In the beginning the effects may be smaller. A tincture or hot drink is believed to be more effective than powder, because it releases beneficial components which otherwise would not be absorbed.

 

Roses (Rosaceae)

The Rose is one of the most classical aphrodisiacs. It is related to love, romance and forgiveness, and is common in almost all ancient cultures. In Greek mythology the Rose is said to origin from the blood of the love goddess Aphrodite. In Hinduism, it is considered to be Lord Krishna's favorite flower. I Ayurveda, it has a central role with many health effects. Women use the rose for treatment of, among other things, gynecological problems, depression and fertility.

The Rose works as an aphrodisiac at the level of all senses: as a scent, tea, powder, and a visual and tactile experience. It is strongly connected with the heart chakra and altruistic love. It is used as help in meditation and in rituals that amplify love.

 

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

According to Ayurveda, Shatavari is one of the most important herbs for women, and it has been used in India for thousands of years. The name menas "she who has 100 men".

Shatavaria pidetään Ayurvedassa yhtenä tärkeimmistä naisille suunnatuista yrteistä, jota on käytetty Intiassa tuhansien vuosien ajan. Nimi tarkoittaa ”hän jolla on 100 miestä”.  Tällä parsansukuun kuuluvalla kasvilla on eheyttäviä ja parantavia vaikutuksia naisen lisääntymis- ja sukuelimiin tasapainottaen myös hormonituotantoa. Yrtti lievittää vaihdevuosien ongelmia ja raskaudenaikaisia kipuja, lisää hedelmällisyyttä sekä voi vähentää kuukautisvuotoja. Se voimistaa seksuaaliviettiä. Mieltä tasapainottavien vaikutusten ohella Shatavari auttaa syventämään myötätuntoa ja rakkautta.

Myös miesten on todettu hyötyvän tämän yrtin vaikutuksista muun muassa lisäämällä sperman määrää ja libidoa. Adaptogeenina se lisää energiaa ja vahvistaa immuniteettia.

 

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in West and South-East Africa. Its bark is used to increase sexual desire. In Africa Yohimbe has been consumed as tea for hundreds of years. Bantu tribes, as well as others, have used it in long sexual rituals

Scientific studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of Yohimbe on sexual life. By increasing blood flow in the genitals, it improves potence in men and the sensitivity to erotic stimulation of erogenic areas in women.

Yohimbe is one of the most effective aphrodosiacs, so one should be careful and modest in its dosing. Its use is not at all recommended in the case of certain specific health problems.

 

 

Sources:

http://flowingfree.org/how-to-use-herbal-aphrodisiacs/

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201104/is-maca-aphrodi...

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm

http://www.naturalchoices.co.nz/maca-testimonials.html

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail50.php

http://ayurvedicoils.com/tag/best-aphrodisiac

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-muira-puama.html

Piippo, Sinikka 2008. Kasvien Salaiset Voimat. Helmi Kustannus.