Love, Fertility and Reproductive Health

The traditional strategies for enhancing libido and improving lovemaking usually involve two components: stimulate circulation and good blood flow to the erogenous zones of the body, and relax the mind so it can shed the cares of the day. Many of the traditional aphrodisiac plants hit either one or both of these bases!

For a really healthy love life, consider a shared exercise program as well. Men who exercise regularly have much lower incidence of erectile dysfunction – and the same goes for women whose libido may be suffering.

Finally, if fertility for men or women is an issue, consider adding some simple and safe herbal adaptogens with affinity to the reproductive organs into your daily habits. Shatavari for women, rich in plant estrogens, can support healthy ovulation and encourage conception. And Maca for men can increase sperm counts and motility. Taken daily, these plants can make a difference if part of a comprehensive fertility protocol.

Aphrodisiac “Bliss Balls” Recipe:

Mix together:

1 ½ cup almond butter

1 cup honey

Blend together and slowly add to the honey/butter mix:

2 cups cacao powder

2TBS Ashwagandha root powder

4TBS Maca root powder

2TBS Muira Puama bark powder

2TBS Shatavari root powder

Roll into balls about 2 inches in diameter. You can then dust them in cocoa powder or roll them in dried shredded coconut or dehydrated crushed raspberries

Valentine's Hot Cocoa

Prepare an infusion (tea) with:

About 1 teaspoon of Damiana leaves

About 1 teaspoon of crushed Rose petals

A trace of Cayenne if desired

Steep for about 5 minutes, then strain. Add:

1 TBS Cocoa powder

1 teaspoon (or more to taste) of Honey

Stir well and enjoy warm!

The above amounts are for 1 cup. Scale up for multiple cups.

Maca, Lepidium meyenii

The root of this perennial plant comes to us from the Andes of South America, where its extremely nutritious tuberous taproot serves as a food and general tonic. Recently, it has gained a reputation as an aphrodisiac for men and women, enhancing circulation, improving the quality of spermatic fluid, and positively affecting the central nervous system with its relaxing yet invigorating qualities.

Muira puama, Ptychopetalum spp.

Also known as “potency wood”, the bark of this Amazonian shrub has a stimulant and aphrodisiac quality, which increases circulation and enhances libido in both sexes.

Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus

The root of this cousin of garden Asparagus comes to us from the Indian subcontinent. It is juicy and demulcent in quality, increasing lubrication and quality of sexual fluids for men and women, though it’s traditionally thought of as a woman’s herb. It is also known as “she of a hundred lovers”, but its powers are not limited to improved sexual function: it also functions as an adaptogen, lessening the effects of stress and tension on the human system.

Ashwagandha, Withania somniferum

Another plant from the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, this root of the nightshade family is also known as “horse root”, a reference to stamina and perhaps to sexual function as well. It is another excellent adaptogen that leaves the system more resistant to stressors of many types, though it has a specific affinity to help those who are having trouble relaxing into sleep or lovemaking.

Cacao, Theobroma cacao

Theobroma means “food of the gods”, and chocolate fits the bill more than anything else on earth. Its uplifting and gently stimulating quaility is due to a precise cocktail of alkaloids that bring about a gentle euphoria and relaxation. Additionally, it enhances circulation and protects the cardiovascular system, increasing blood flow to the sexual organs while it enlivens and thrills the mind. Plus, with a little sweetness, it’s delicious!

Damiana, Turnera diffusa

Another herb from that magical cradle of power in Central America, Damiana has a totally unique flavor that is minty, spicy, and slightly bitter. It invigorates the circulation and improves sexual function while lessening the effects of the anxieties and tensions of the day.

Chocolate in hypertension

A new, in-vivo German trial shows that even modest amounts of dark chocolate, consumed daily two hours after dinner, has positive effects on reducing high blood pressure. In comparing the consumption of dark vs. white chocolate (the latter not being chocolate at all), blood pressure was effectively lowered in the treatment arm of 44 adults aged 56-73.
I've written about chocolate before, and this new research just confirms that even tiny doses of cocoa flavonoids (under 30 calories /day!) benefit the circulatory system in many ways. Of course, I would recommend a bit more -- but as the study's authors comment, don't blow your calorie budget!

Chocolate does it again

I've written before about the benefits of cocoa for cardiovascular disease, specifically for managing cholesterol. Past research has identified other heart-related benefits from chocolate: reducing high blood pressure, relaxing arteries, decreasing vascular inflammation. The commonalities in all the research include a focus on flavonols (chemical constituents of a similar class to resveratrol of red wine fame) present in cocoa powder alone (no cocoa butter).
The conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science saw a special presentation on further study around cocoa's health benefits. Ian McDonald, of Nottingham, England, described how blood flow to the brain is improved for 2-3 hours after consumption of cocoa powder, as measured by activity on an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) brain scan of healthy volunteers performing complex tasks. Increased blood flow improves performace, and this new data generated some excitement around possible treatments for dementia and those with impaired blood flow to the brain.
Another interesting presentation, also published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences, provides a comparison between local populations in Panama that consume high amounts of cocoa and how this consumption seems to dramatically reduce risk of hypertension, diabetes, cancer and infectious disease. After leaving their traditional cultures, the Kuna began to display many of the imbalances listed above. Now, this may have a lot to do with other dietary alterations, living in a city, etc... Nevertheless, as the authors point out, their consumption of cocoa went from multiple cups daily to virtually none - suggesting that cocoa may have a serious protective effect.
These findings lend even more weight to using chocolate as a powerful and delicious herbal remedy. Again, I suggest Green and Black's organic cocoa powder, 2-3 TBS daily (or more) and brewed with hot water, a teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of cayenne. YUM!

Chocolate flavonoids and cholesterol

Chocolate (Theobroma cacao) has had a long history of scientific inquiry highlighting its extensive cariovascular benefits, from reducing blood lipids and bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol (1, 2) to improving endothelial integritiy in blood vessels (1), even reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular tone and platelet function in smokers (1). To say nothing about the effect of theophylline (a major alkaloid present in dark chocolate) and its effects on asthma and airway inflammation, where it can be a lifesaving remedy; or its effects on mood and well-being.
A new study has reinforced the idea that chocolate's flavonoid content has a beneficial effect on serum lipids and bad cholesterol, helping reduce LDL by over 7% (that's 17 points for someone at 250 total cholesterol - read the review at the American Botanical Council). This continues to be great news for a chocolate-lover like myself. However, some important points bear mention:

• Dark chocolate is the only way to go. All studies find that flavonoid concentration in dark chocolate is much higher.
• Cocoa butter is not great in huge quantities, so I generally use cocoa powder (Green and Black's organic criollo is my favorite by far). The daily dose is between 2 and 4 tablespoons.
• Large amounts of sugar are also not too helpful. Again, a reason to use cocoa powder instead of sweetened bars.

So, a quick recipe for a great chocolate drink:
1 to 1 and 1/2 TBS dark cocoa powder
1 TBS milk, or almond, rice, or soy milk
1 tsp honey
a pinch of cayenne

mix cocoa and milk until a nice paste is formed. Add hot water (to about 12 oz), stir in some honey, and a pinch of cayenne to taste. Excellent!