Sexual Chemistry: Boost Your Drive! (Part 3 of 3)
Reported November 7, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) — Research shows up to 60 percent of men and up to 40 percent of women suffer from some type of sexual dysfunction. For thousands of years, people have searched for aphrodisiacs to boost desire, and here’s more on eight natural alternatives.
Chances are if you’re like most Americans, you’re stressed.
“Everyone is so stressed out. They’re not in the mood for having a wonderful sex life,” says Ray Sahelian, M.D.
But researcher and Dr. Sahelian wants to change that. He’s treated people with low sex drive for more than a decade with natural aphrodisiacs and doles advice in his book, “Natural Sex Boosters.” “It just amazes me that modern medicine and Western society have so little knowledge about these aphrodisiac herbs,” he tells Ivanhoe.
Dr. Sahelian says the herb yohimbe is a good place to start. It blocks certain receptors that stop blood flow. “That’s been known for generations, for hundreds of years, actually as a sexual enhancer.”
Horny goat weed is another herb that dilates blood vessels, and Tribulus terrestris improves testosterone. Tongkat ali can be used for stamina, and ginkgo biloba is a mind-enhancer that improves libido for some people.
Dr. Sahelian says the herbs will work, but you need to be patient. “One of the differences between herbs and drugs is that the drugs will probably start working within an hour or two, but don’t expect that with many of the herbs; give it time.”
He also says certain foods can also boost desire, but the effects may take even longer. “I’m a big fan of fish oils actually because they thin the blood, improving circulation to the vital organs.” Flavonoids in chocolate, and zinc in oysters may also have an effect on sex drive.
Holly Thacker, M.D., a women’s health specialist at The Cleveland Clinic, says more research is needed. “There’s no scientific basis. Any of these options — foods or supplements or herbs or drugs — they have to be compared to a placebo before you can say that there’s a statistically significant increase.”
But Dr. Sahelian says he’s seen results in his patients, like 42-year-old Lindy.
She says, “I was working long hours and staying up late and not getting enough sleep, and physically, I was getting run down.” Then, she tried a combination of supplements to boost her desire. “I felt a lot of energy, and clarity and a sense of well-being, and a lot more passion in my life, too.” And that’s all the proof she needs.
Dr. Sahelian warns in high doses the herbs can cause side effects like irritability, insomnia, rapid heart beat and anxiety.