Energy & Libido

By: Tim Wong

Energy and libido play an essential role in intimacy, sex drive and sexual performance.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love can be expressed in a multitude of ways. Whether that’s buying gifts for your S/O, taking them to dinner or doing activities throughout the day, a major component comes into play— energy & libido. This special February blog is a deep dive into both the science, and the myths about aphrodisiacs— foods and supplements believed to increase one’s sex drive and sexual performance, along with energy & libido.

What are Aphrodisiacs?

Loosely defined as “substances that arouse sexual desire”, the etymology of the word derives from Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. Aphrodisiacs may alter sex drive and performance through physiological or psychological means.

Despite the phallic shape of a banana, there is little scientific evidence it contributes to men’s libido.

Historically, aphrodisiacs are often thought of as foods that resemble human genitalia — like bananas, asparagus, oysters and figs. Spicy foods were often thought to increase arousal as well due to the warming and stimulating effects they have on our bodies. We’ll look more into debunking these myths as well as other potentially dangerous aphrodisiacs later.

Scientifically Proven Aphrodisiacs

Ginseng

Ginseng, a rooted plant native to Asia and North America, has long been purported as a miracle herb for its efficacy as a dietary supplement increasing resistance to environmental stress and as a general tonic to wellbeing. Ginseng has been known to improve physical stamina, concentration and memory; stimulates immune function; reduces fatigue; increases energy levels; slows the aging process; and relieves various other health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, depression, anxiety and menopausal hot-flashes.

Organika has Korean Red Ginseng also known as Panax ginseng available in 100 and 200 capsules, purchase this at any Amaranth store.

Relating back to aphrodisiacs, ginseng has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sexual dysfunction. In a 2013 scientific report on “Ginseng and Male Reproductive Function¹” by Kar Wah Leung and Alice ST Wong, they found conclusive evidence that ginseng increases sperm count and quality in males.

Ginseng also improves erections in some patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. In a 2002 clinical study “A Double-Blind Crossover Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Preliminary Report²”, researchers Bumsik Hong, Young Hwan Ji, Jun Hyuk Hong, Ki Yeul Nam and Tai Young Ahn discovered 60% of men treated with 900mg of Korean red ginseng three times a day reported an improvement in erections.

Maca

Another root vegetable, Maca, is Peruvian in origin, and is claimed to be an adaptogenic plant. Maca is traditionally used in the Andes for fertility-enhancing purposes, though some research suggests it also provides consumers a caffeine-free boost in energy. There also continues to be growing evidence and scientific research on its ability to increase sexual desire in both males and females.

In 2002 and 2008, two separate but small clinical trials were conducted involving healthy adult males and post-menopausal females. “Effect of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) on Sexual Desire and its Absent Relationship with Serum Testosterone Levels in Adult Healthy Men³'' by researchers G F Gonzales, A Córdova, K Vega, A Chung, A Villena, C Góñez and S Castillo; and “Beneficial Effects of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) on Psychological Symptoms and Measures of Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women are Not Related to Estrogen or Androgen Content⁴” by researchers Nicole A Brooks, Gisela Wilcox, Karen Z Walker, John F Ashton, Marc B Cox and Lily Stojanovska. Both studies found maca extract significantly improved self-rated sexual desire.

Health First Maca contains a certified organic blend of red, black and yellow maca that is sustainably harvested in Peru. Find this product at any Amaranth.

A more recent study published in 2015, “A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose‐Finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI‐Induced Sexual Dysfunction⁵” by researchers Christina M. Dording, Lauren Fisher, George Papakostas, Amy Farabaugh, Shamsah Sonawalla, Maurizio Fava and David Mischoulon found that women experiencing antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (AISD) described greater sexual activity and more enjoyable sexual experiences after consuming three grams of maca per day for 12 weeks.

Relating back to energy, a small study in 2016, “Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study⁶” by researchers Carla Gonzales-Arimborgo, Irma Yupanqui, Elsa Montero, Dulce E Alarcón-Yaquetto, Alisson Zevallos-Concha, Lidia Caballero, Manuel Gasco, Jianping Zhao, Ikhlas A Khan and Gustavo F Gonzales found that people who took 3 grams of maca for 12 weeks reported experiencing more of an energy boost than people who didn’t consume maca.

Fenugreek

Finally with fenugreek, it is a herb native to the Mediterranean, southern Europe, and western Asia. Fenugreek's more common use today has been as a dietary supplement for diabetes, menstrual cramps and enhancing breast milk production in lactating women, but lately, more research suggests it can also be used to increase libido in men.

Harmonic Arts sells whole organic fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum) in bulk at any Amaranth store.

In 2011 a randomized controlled trial, “Physiological Aspects of Male Libido Enhanced by Standardized Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Extract and Mineral Formulation⁷” by researchers Elizabeth Steels, Amanda Rao and Luis Vitetta discovered that that adult men between the ages of 25 and 52 experienced significant increases in arousal, libido and orgasms after consuming 600mg of Testofen — a blend of fenugreek extract — for six weeks. 

Debunking Myths and Dangerous Aphrodisiacs

‘Aphrodisiacs’

Earlier we briefly covered that historical perceptions of aphrodisiacs were foods that resembled human genitalia, while outward appearances can be suggestive there is little science to backup the claims that they enhance libido or sexual performance.

Many popular and modern ‘aphrodisiacs’ such as chocolate, strawberries and raw oysters are more often red herrings due to the societal view of interconnectedness in romance and sexual arousal. While romance and emotional stimulation can play a part in initiating sexual intimacy, it does not correlate with libido, energy and sexual performance. An example of a strategic marketing ploy undertaken by the chocolate industry is clever use of placebo effect, linking phenylethylamine otherwise known as the “chemical of love” found in chocolate to stimulating, or sexually arousing visuals.

The chocolate industry is very clever in marketing feminine sensuality and sexuality with their products.

This is not to suggest placebo effects don’t work. Sometimes mental conditioning is all it takes to overcome one’s sexual performance anxiety but as it stands, there isn’t much demonstrable scientific evidence to back what these ‘aphrodisiacs’ are being marketed as. It’s not only these more modern and tame ‘aphrodisiacs’ too, there are other potentially dangerous aphrodisiacs that can be more hindering than helping for energy & libido. 

Yohimbe

As always you should consult a doctor before taking any herbs or supplements for anything including aphrodisiacs, but some just aren’t worth the risk. Yohimbe is one of these aphrodisiacs that remains a gray issue in terms of testing and approval in North America. It is an evergreen tree native to Central and Western Africa, the tree bark works as a stimulant and fat-burning compound and limited research in 2002, “Yohimbine Treatment of Organic Erectile Dysfunction in a Dose-Escalation Trial⁸” by researchers, A T Guay, R F Spark, J Jacobson, F T Murray and M E Geisser found that it can improve erections in some men with erectile dysfunction. 

The bark of the Yohimbe (Corynanthe johimbe) tree, a plant species native to Western and Central Africa.

However, similar studies held by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration⁹ have also found that Yohimbe can be the cause of heart attacks, seizures, stomach problems, a rapid heartbeat, anxiety and high blood pressure. More research still needs to be done to determine the safety and efficacy of Yohimbe and its use by the general public, particularly as an aphrodisiac.

Cantharidin or “Spanish Fly”

Another traditional aphrodisiac is Cantharidin, also known as ‘Spanish fly’, while it’s been used as a sexual stimulant for over thousands of years similarly to ginseng in Eastern Asia, modern research has deemed it more of a danger to one’s health over a panacea to sexual performance, energy & libido. A 1996 review, “Poisoning from ‘Spanish fly’ (Cantharidin)¹⁰” by researchers D J Karras, S E Farrell, R A Harrigan, F M Henretig and L Gealt and 2013 study, “Acute Kidney Injury by Cantharidin Poisoning Following a Silly Bet on an Ugly Beetle¹¹” by researchers Patrícia Cotovio, Cristina Silva, Maria Guedes Marques, Francisco Ferrer, Fátima Costa, Armando Carreira, and Mário Campos concluded that cantharidin produces blisters on contact and is extremely risky to ingest. Cantharidin poisoning can produce gastrointestinal and urinary-tract irritation along with kidney dysfunction or failure.

Always consult a medical professional prior to using any aphrodisiacs, they will give you all the info you need.

Summary

When it comes to addressing sexual performance, arousal, energy & libido, you can’t go wrong with aphrodisiacs— that being said, you should always consult a medical professional prior to using any so you will be aware of how it can affect your health and hormones. Trust aphrodisiacs that have been thoroughly tested, researched and approved, and also understand that not all aphrodisiacs may work for you just like any other herb or supplement. You have to find one that compliments you without potential harmful side effects.

References

¹ Leung KW, Wong AS. Ginseng and male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis. 2013 Jul 1;3(3):e26391. doi: 10.4161/spmg.26391. Epub 2013 Sep 13. PMID: 24381805; PMCID: PMC3861174.

² Hong B, Ji YH, Hong JH, Nam KY, Ahn TY. A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. J Urol. 2002 Nov;168(5):2070-3. doi: 10.1097/01.ju.0000034387.21441.87. PMID: 12394711.

³ Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C, Castillo S. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72. doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x. PMID: 12472620.

⁴ Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181732953. PMID: 18784609.

⁵ Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G, Farabaugh A, Sonawalla S, Fava M, Mischoulon D. A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00052.x. PMID: 18801111; PMCID: PMC6494062.

⁶ Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, Alarcón-Yaquetto DE, Zevallos-Concha A, Caballero L, Gasco M, Zhao J, Khan IA, Gonzales GF. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016 Aug 18;9(3):49. doi: 10.3390/ph9030049. PMID: 27548190; PMCID: PMC5039502.

⁷ Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):1294-300. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3360. Epub 2011 Feb 10. PMID: 21312304.

⁸ Guay, A., Spark, R., Jacobson, J. et al. Yohimbine treatment of organic erectile dysfunction in a dose-escalation trial. Int J Impot Res 14, 25–31 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900803

⁹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Yohimbe. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yohimbe

¹⁰ Karras DJ, Farrell SE, Harrigan RA, Henretig FM, Gealt L. Poisoning from "Spanish fly" (cantharidin). Am J Emerg Med. 1996 Sep;14(5):478-83. doi: 10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90158-8. PMID: 8765116.

¹¹ Cotovio P, Silva C, Guedes Marques M, Ferrer F, Costa F, Carreira A, Campos M. Acute kidney injury by cantharidin poisoning following a silly bet on an ugly beetle. Clin Kidney J. 2013 Apr;6(2):201-3. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sft001. PMID: 26019851; PMCID: PMC4432444.