The Best Herb Teas for the Libido

If you're looking to enhance your intimacy naturally, herbal tea for libido could be the answer. While a decrease in libido or sexual performance may feel embarrassing, these things are both common and treatable. Herbal teas are one option, but they may not work for everyone.

If you have decreased libido or erectile dysfunction, you are far from alone. According to University of Wisconsin Health, mild to moderate erectile dysfunction affects about 50 percent of men in their 50s. This disorder is the physical inability to maintain an erection firm enough to sustain sexual intercourse.

Not only can erectile dysfunction cause sexual frustrations, but it can also cause low self-esteem and relationship trouble. In some cases, it may be a sign of a heart problem. As such, people who live with erectile dysfunction should talk to their doctors.

Furthermore, many women live with a condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSSD). While it's natural for sexual desire to fluctuate throughout life, women have HSSD when their low sex drives cause stress. Menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding andlifestyle changes can cause HSSD. Several factors can affect sexual drive and performance in men and women, including performance anxiety, health, exercise and medications.

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Anyone struggling with low libido may start looking into herbal supplements and herbal tea for libido. After all, the claims on these supplements inspire hope. However, it's important to note that very little research backs up these claims. The research that scientists have conducted regarding herbs for libido are low-quality. For example, many have only tested animals or use small sample sizes.

While the research is still in the early stages, a few herbal teas and supplements show promise. Maca is one plant that may increase sexual desire and performance. A January 2003 study in ​Andrologia ​ found that men showed an increase in sexual desire within eight weeks of starting to take maca supplements. This study is relatively old, but it is the most recent research on the subject and it suggests that tea with maca may be the best herbal tea for libido in men.

Some studies with small sample sizes suggest that teas with Tribulus may help women with decreased sexual function and drive. For example, one April 2014 study of 67 women published in the ​Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy ​found that Tribulus helped women with low sex drive within four weeks.

Another study that was published in the December 2014 issue of ​Clinical Medicine Insights: Women's Health​ found that Tribulus is both safe and effective in treating sexual dysfunction in women. While these studies used small samples, they make up the most comprehensive peer-reviewed research on the subject as of September 2019.

Before you rush into buying herbal male enhancement tea or natural libido supplements, there are some factors you should consider. While it's possible to find safe supplements and teas, you must take your time to do so. Picking the wrong tea could mean getting something ineffective or even dangerous.

The Mayo Clinic warns that there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of most natural aphrodisiacs, including chocolate and oysters. Some emerging studies suggest there may be a link to libido and plants like ginseng, ginkgo and maca. However, plants such as Spanish fly can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and damage to the kidneys.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that some "all-natural" remedies for erectile dysfunction contain more ingredients than they claim. At least 300 products that claim to be natural or herbal solutions to erectile dysfunction include ingredients that are not on the labels. Some of these hidden ingredients include the active ingredients in prescription medications like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

The FDA found that some of these ingredients were in dangerous doses, even when they were not supposed to be in the supplement at all. While erectile dysfunction medication can be safe for some people, it is important to take these medications under the supervision of a doctor. If you're considering herbal tea for erectile dysfunction, be sure to find teas for reputable sources or find other natural ways to increase your libido.