TOP Four Natural Aphrodisiacs You've Probably Never Heard Of

Natural aphrodisiac supplements are a wonderful way to boost your libido and sexual vitality in a healthy way. Sexual health is something that is important to everybody, but often doesn’t get the attention it demands. Many people have high-stress jobs, and in our modern world, there is a lot to be stressed about. Your sexual health takes a hit from stress.[1] In fact, scientists have shown that there is a positive-feedback cycle that comes from reducing your stress and improving your sex life. [2] [caption id=""attachment_807"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""640""] Stress-free and sexy with these top natural aphrodisiacs![/caption] However, the world is facing some real sexual health issues at the moment. More than one scientific study has shown that drinking milk increases estrogen in adults and children alike.[3] The effects of this mean lowered testosterone and a lower sex drive. This is one reason why many people turn to sexual health supplements for support. Other issues include reaching an older age and needing some extra testosterone. In fact, sexual health supplements can benefit anybody, and at any stage of your life! Interestingly, Japan, one of the world’s most developed countries, is suffering from a lack of sexual vitality in young people! [4] But let’s not waste any more time. Here’s our list of the top four natural aphrodisiacs you’ve probably never heard of:  

1.    Boost your libido with Icariin: Yin Yang Hou

Icariin is the active compound you'll find in Horny Goat Weed, a species of plant in China and the Mediterranean. Traditional Chinese medicine has used icariin for over a thousand years[5]. Their name for it was Yin Yang Hou. This natural aphrodisiac has a number of great benefits and health-supporting effects. Icariin may help as a dietary supplement to enhance testosterone levels [6]. However, this effect only works in men. Women won’t get much of a hormone boost out of Icariin. For men, an enhancement in testosterone levels is helpful for a number of reasons. [caption id=""attachment_814"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Horny Goat Weed was first used in China[/caption] Firstly, testosterone helps to maintain a healthy heart, and increased testosterone levels have been shown to decrease fat and increase lean muscle mass.  Secondly, testosterone improves your bone structure by strengthening your bones. Finally, and in our case most importantly, testosterone boosts your libido and improves your sexual health.  [7]   Icariin may also improve blood flow in your body. [8] PDE5 inhibitors allow more blood to flow to smooth muscle cells.[9] This is why icariin may be beneficial as a health supplement to help you maintain sexual vitality and libido, as well as having potential cardiovascular benefits too. [caption id=""attachment_808"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Icariin enhances male hormone levels.[/caption] Furthermore, preliminary studies have indicated that Icariin may have the potential to help maintain a healthy circulatory system. [10] Animal studies have shown that Icariin is effective at reducing levels of ‘bad cholesterol’. It does this by switching ‘on’ genes that help to destroy fat cells.[11]

Icariin review:

“I got this product in order to boost my energy before workouts. For that purpose, it works extremely well! About 30 minutes to an hour after taking the Icariin, I feel a definite surge of energy and I get much more into my workout than I do on a normal day. I also spar sometimes at my gym and I feel like I pack a lot more power in my punches after taking this.”– Liftmode’s Icariin 98% review [caption id=""attachment_771"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""300""] Liftmode's 98% purity Icariin[/caption]

2.    Energy and fat-burning: Yohimbine

Yohimbine is a powerful supplement extracted from the Yohimbe tree from Central Africa. Yohimbine is better known to many people for its effects as a powerful energizing and pre-workout energy booster. However, Yohimbine also has some very strong aphrodisiac effects. First of all, Yohimbine is a great supplement great for improving libido. The interesting thing about Yohimbine is that it’s able to boost your libido without affecting your testosterone levels.[12] This is because of the way that Yohimbine interacts with compounds in your brain.[13] [caption id=""attachment_813"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Yohimbine originates from Central Africa[/caption]   Secondly, Yohimbine is a powerful fat-burning supplement. It can be used to help with a workout program or diet regime. The mechanism that this works is probably related to the way in which Yohimbine provides a libido boost, but this is still unknown.   A number of human studies have shown that Yohimbine supplements significantly aid in supporting a healthy metabolism. A study on a group of semi-professional soccer players found that after using Yohimbine for a few weeks, their body fat levels had reduced significantly.[14] Finally, Yohimbine is a potent energizing supplement. It provides you with a strong energy boost and helps with focus and mental clarity. Yohimbine supplements help your brain to produce more catecholamines – epinephrine and norepinephrine. These are related to the ‘flight-or-fight’ response and are super potent natural stimulants.[15]   Health experts warn that there may be risks associated with using Yohimbine. Please use this supplement responsibly. Stick to the recommended dosage and do not use continuously for long periods of time without taking a break. [caption id=""attachment_809"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""300""] Liftmode's Yohimbine HCL: 98%+ purity[/caption]

Yohimbine review

  “When I first took Yohimbe, I was a little skeptical. But, it turns out it really works. It makes me happy, increases my sexual libido, and actually energizes me. I would highly recommend trying this product at least once.” – Liftmode’s Yohimbine review by Chris H [caption id=""attachment_811"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""300""] Yohimbine is a great pre-workout and helps cut body fat[/caption]  

3.    Maca: Stress-free and Sexy!

  Maca is our third natural aphrodisiac in this article. Maca is a very well-known supplement, that originates from a plant in the Andes, in South America. In fact, Maca root has been used in that region for over 2000 years! Maca only grows at high altitudes and in cold climates.[16] Another interesting fact about Maca is that it’s actually a member of the broccoli family![17] There are a variety of active compounds in the Maca root. This is why it’s best to buy a standardized Maca extract. [caption id=""attachment_812"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Maca is found in the Andes[/caption] Maca is considered by many to be a superfood. Although you can’t really eat it, the ground maca root has so many health benefits that it’s difficult to list them all here. Firstly, Maca is great as an aphrodisiac supplement. Scientists have shown that Maca can increase sexual desire in both men and women, in a number of studies. The best thing about Maca is that it can increase libido without affecting testosterone levels.[18] This makes Maca appropriate for both men and women. Secondly, scientists have shown that Maca may have the help support fertility in men. [19] Finally, Maca root extract is great for improving your mood and overall sense of well-being. A human study on subjective feelings of well-being showed that people who were supplementing with Maca reported greater feelings of well-being.[20] [caption id=""attachment_806"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""640""] Maca improves mood and boosts your sexuality![/caption]

Maca review

  “I use this Maca to keep my hormones in balance, as everyone should due to the countless xeno estrogens that pollute our environment. For an added effect, I will sometimes add raw Maca powder along with this extract, simply to round out the other important nutrients and enzymes found in Maca. This is the best Maca product available at the time of this writing. Thank you, Liftmode!” – Liftmode.com Maca review  

4.    Tongkat Ali: Strength and relaxation

  Our final natural aphrodisiac on this list is Tongkat Ali. People have been using this Southeast Asian plant for over a thousand years. The bark and roots of Tongkat Ali have long been used as an aphrodisiac in many countries. Tongkat Ali is great for improving testosterone levels. Along with Icariin, this supplement must be the most powerful natural aphrodisiac we know of. Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is something that affects many men after middle-age. Studies have found that Tongkat Ali extract may be a potentially good dietary supplement for alleviating boosting male sexual health.[21] [caption id=""attachment_815"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Southeast Asia: the home of Tongkat Ali[/caption] Furthermore, scientists have found that Tongkat Ali is able to help maintain healthy cortisol to testosterone levels.[22] Cortisol is the ‘stress hormone’. Chronic stress causes high levels of cortisol in your blood, and cortisol is known to reduce your levels of testosterone.[23] An unbalanced cortisol / testosterone ratio can result in a number of health effects including low libido and high blood pressure. Finally, you can use Tongkat Ali extract to improve your muscle strength. A study on a number of senior men and women found that supplementing with Tongkat Ali not only improved their sexual well-being but also significantly improved their muscle strength![24] One of the best things about Tongkat Ali is how safe it is a supplement! A number of studies have looked into potential health effects of Tongkat Ali and found no negative effects.[25]  

Tongkat Ali review

  “…I first took 30 days straight as was directed, then 2 weeks off and 2 weeks on keeping that cycle. I immediately noticed that my upper body just felt stronger and I had not been working out. I felt lighter when I walked. I thought it was my imagination.” – Tongkat Ali review   [caption id=""attachment_810"" align=""alignright"" width=""640""] Improve your energy and libido with Tongkat Ali![/caption]  

So, which is the best natural aphrodisiac?

  This is a tough question! As you can see, each natural aphrodisiac has its own strengths. It’s hard to say what the top natural aphrodisiac is because they’re all so great! You can use Icariin for enhancing your hormones, improving male sexual health, and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Icariin is all-round aphrodisiac and health supplement for men. Yohimbine is the most stimulating and energizing natural aphrodisiac on our list. You can use yohimbine to improve your libido, boost your energy and mental focus, and help burn fat – making you sexier than before! Maca is our favorite all-rounder natural aphrodisiac because it has such potent libido enhancing effects for both men and women. Maca also has a host of other health benefits, including improved male fertility and improving your overall sense of well-being. Tongkat Ali is great for athletes and elderly people looking to improve hormone levels and reduce stress.  

Conclusion

  All-in-all, our list covers what we believe to be the top four natural aphrodisiac supplements. These supplements improve your libido and sexual health, as well as improving other aspects of your health. Each person may have their favorite, but there is no denying the strength of these top four natural aphrodisiacs! [caption id=""attachment_816"" align=""aligncenter"" width=""300""] Find your favorite natural aphrodisiac[/caption]          

References

  [1] Don't Let Stress Affect Your Sex Life, By Laura Berman, PhD, EverydayHealth.com, retrieved on August 11, 2016 [2] Sex, stress, and health, J Brecher, Int J Health Serv. 1977;7(1):89-101, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/832938 [3] Potential public health hazards of biosynthetic milk hormones, Epstein SS, Int J Health Serv. 1990;20(1):73-84, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524299/ [4] Why have Young People in Japan Stopped having sex? Abigail Haworth, 20 Oct 2013, The Gaurdian newspaper: Observer Japan, available from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex [5] Icariin: a potential promoting compound for cartilage tissue engineering, Li D et al., Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2012 Dec;20(12):1647-56. doi: 10.1016, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22917745 [6] The testosterone mimetic properties of icariin, Zhang ZB and Yang QT, Asian J Androl. 2006 Sep;8(5):601-5. Epub 2006 Jun 5, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16751992 [7] Bigger, Faster, Stronger? 5 Benefits of Testosterone, Ann Pietrangelo, Healthline.com, Aug 2013, available from http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/benefits-testosterone#1, retrieved on August 11, 2016 [8] Effects of icariin on cGMP-specific PDE5 and cAMP-specific PDE4 activities, Xin ZC et al., Asian J Androl. 2003 Mar;5(1):15-8, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12646997 [9] PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 5 (PDE5) INHIBITORS, LiverTox.com, part of the United States Library of Medicine, available from https://livertox.nlm.nih.gov/PDE5Inhibitors.htm [10] Cholesterol Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2015, available from http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_cholesterol.htm, retrieved on August 11, 2016 [11] Icariin is a PPARα activator inducing lipid metabolic gene expression in mice, Lu YF et al., Molecules. 2014 Nov 6;19(11):18179-91. doi: 10.3390, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25383754 [12] Testosterone is not required for the enhancement of sexual motivation by yohimbine, Clark JT, Smith ER, and Davidson JM, Physiol Behav. 1985 Oct;35(4):517-21, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2999845 [13] Yohimbine dimers exhibiting selectivity for the human alpha 2C-adrenoceptor subtype, Lalchandani SG et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2002 Dec;303(3):979-84, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12438517 [14] Yohimbine: the effects on body composition and exercise performance in soccer players, Ostoji SM, Res Sports Med. 2006 Oct-Dec;14(4):289-99, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17214405 [15] Effects of yohimbine on plasma catecholamine levels in orthostatic hypotension related to Parkinson disease or multiple system atrophy, Senard JM et al., Clin Neuropharmacol. 1993 Feb;16(1):70-6, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8422659 [16] Role of maca (Lepidium meyenii) consumption on serum interleukin-6 levels and health status in populations living in the Peruvian Central Andes over 4000 m of altitude, Gonzales GF et al., Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013 Dec;68(4):347-51. doi: 10.1007 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23934543 [17] Maca, Examine.com, available from https://examine.com/supplements/maca/, retrieved on August 11, 2016 [18] Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men, Gonzales GF et al., Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12472620 [19] Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men, Gonzales GF et al., Asian J Androl. 2001 Dec;3(4):301-3, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11753476 [20] Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial, Zenico T et al., Andrologia. 2009 Apr;41(2):95-9. doi: 10.1111, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19260845 [21] Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism?, Tambi MI et al., Andrologia. 2012 May;44 Suppl 1:226-30. doi: 10.1111, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21671978 [22] Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects, SM Talbot, JA Talbot et al., http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669033/ [23] Relationships between testosterone, cortisol and performance in professional cyclists, Hoogeveen AR and Zonderland ML, Int J Sports Med. 1996 Aug;17(6):423-8, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8884416 [24] Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study, Henkel RR et al., Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):544-50. doi: 10.1002, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23754792 [25] Evaluation of Acute 13-Week Subchronic Toxicity and Genotoxicity of the Powdered Root of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack), Li CH et al., Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:102987. doi: 10.1155, available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24062779