Some herbs to cool the fires of ardor...
1) Possibly the most renowned historical treatment for “being too horny” (apart from the obvious, if draining and transient, solution of simply having a lot of sex) is the fruit of the Chasteberry tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.).
Chastetree leaves and flowers have been shown to contain progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione; and extracts of the berries are known to reduce prolactin secretion in rats(9). In laboratory trials, extracts of chasteberries have up-regulated estrogen-inducable gene expression (progesterone receptor and presenelin-2)(10).
Hormone-regulating and antiandrogenic actions such as these are likely to be responsible for the beneficial effect of chastetree berries in the treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome(11) and menopausal symptoms in women and, with some extrapolation, could be suggested to play a role in its anecdotal libido reductive action.
2) Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L) has been found to possess estrogen-like, as well as androsterone-like, hormonal activities and has been somewhat inconclusively shown to reduce testosterone levels in men(12) (and, women(13) - whose ovaries also release between 20 to 60 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood). Regardless of the uncertain demonstration of these responses, many texts remain cautious and contra-indicate the consumption of liquorice by hyposexual individuals (more accurate cautions address the collateral risk of hypertension that is associated with excess consumption of this root).
3) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), otherwise known as “Indian Ginseng”, is purported to have aphrodisiac effects. However, Ilayperuma et al (2002) showed the reverse (anaphrodisiac) consequence in rats, and attributed it to the “hyperprolactinemic, GABAergic, serotonergic or sedative activities of the [herbal] extract”(14)
4) The catkins of Salix Alba (Black Willow) have also been represented as an anaphrodisiac (particularly for men). This is possibly due to the phytoestrogen content of the female buds - or, perhaps the belief that this herb possesses anti-libidinous properties is based upon its salicin content which, as an antipyretic, could be thought to cool the “fires of passion”?
Interestingly, there is now a website dedicated to anaphrodisiac herbs - which may be worth a look!
Summary
Final solutions to the age-old search for “magic pills/potions” to either increase libido or to control it have not yet been reached. Clearly, any answers found will reward their discoverer(s) with a vast income.
Nonetheless, most authors would acknowledge that the only true solution to such a quest lies in accepting that no single cure will suit all sufferers; and here is the heart of complimentary medicine: holistic approaches must be tailored to the patient’s individual presentation.
This caveat in place, it is likely that any man or woman with hypersexual needs can be at least partially sated by increasing their exercise regime, enjoying sex as often as they can (in whatever form they morally can) and avoiding hormone-laden, mass-produced meats - as well as too much celery (which is believed to contain the male hormone, androsterone – the release of which, in sweat, is purported to be a powerful pheromone to women, thereby providing an interesting link to the armpit sweat consideration made earlier). Additional approaches would, indeed, be complimentary – psychotherapy, perhaps some anaphrodisiac essential oils (such as marjoram) and the use of carefully selected herbs from the range discussed above.
After all, a Licorice Allsort or two certainly should not cause any harm, and might even offer some relief – or at least displace the cravings in a similar way to chocolates (which contain the mood-lifting compounds Phenylethylamine and the Seratonin precursor, Tryptophan, and are associated with the sensations of well-being, love and lust). Many other easily available substances are also able to “dampen the mood”: nicotine, for example, can (in addition to a whole host of other negative indicators concerning smoking) also inhibit sexual desire. Furthermore, alcohol, mentioned earlier as a “chemical” aphrodisiac because of its ability to disinhibit consumers, should more accurately be defined as a physiological anaphrodisiac due to its negative impact on sexual capability. Clearly however, a beer and a cigarette are hardly the recommendations to be made by an ethical member of any caring profession.
In the final assessment, the patient’s best interests must be addressed, and this may require referral to a specialist for prescription drugs such as the SSRIs. The natural medicines practitioner should thus be prepared to face such “defeats” from time to time in the realisation that any advice that offers benefit to the patient is a victory - even if one (won) in disguise.
Chastetree leaves and flowers have been shown to contain progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione; and extracts of the berries are known to reduce prolactin secretion in rats(9). In laboratory trials, extracts of chasteberries have up-regulated estrogen-inducable gene expression (progesterone receptor and presenelin-2)(10).
Hormone-regulating and antiandrogenic actions such as these are likely to be responsible for the beneficial effect of chastetree berries in the treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome(11) and menopausal symptoms in women and, with some extrapolation, could be suggested to play a role in its anecdotal libido reductive action.
2) Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L) has been found to possess estrogen-like, as well as androsterone-like, hormonal activities and has been somewhat inconclusively shown to reduce testosterone levels in men(12) (and, women(13) - whose ovaries also release between 20 to 60 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood). Regardless of the uncertain demonstration of these responses, many texts remain cautious and contra-indicate the consumption of liquorice by hyposexual individuals (more accurate cautions address the collateral risk of hypertension that is associated with excess consumption of this root).
3) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), otherwise known as “Indian Ginseng”, is purported to have aphrodisiac effects. However, Ilayperuma et al (2002) showed the reverse (anaphrodisiac) consequence in rats, and attributed it to the “hyperprolactinemic, GABAergic, serotonergic or sedative activities of the [herbal] extract”(14)
4) The catkins of Salix Alba (Black Willow) have also been represented as an anaphrodisiac (particularly for men). This is possibly due to the phytoestrogen content of the female buds - or, perhaps the belief that this herb possesses anti-libidinous properties is based upon its salicin content which, as an antipyretic, could be thought to cool the “fires of passion”?
Interestingly, there is now a website dedicated to anaphrodisiac herbs - which may be worth a look!
Summary
Final solutions to the age-old search for “magic pills/potions” to either increase libido or to control it have not yet been reached. Clearly, any answers found will reward their discoverer(s) with a vast income.
Nonetheless, most authors would acknowledge that the only true solution to such a quest lies in accepting that no single cure will suit all sufferers; and here is the heart of complimentary medicine: holistic approaches must be tailored to the patient’s individual presentation.
This caveat in place, it is likely that any man or woman with hypersexual needs can be at least partially sated by increasing their exercise regime, enjoying sex as often as they can (in whatever form they morally can) and avoiding hormone-laden, mass-produced meats - as well as too much celery (which is believed to contain the male hormone, androsterone – the release of which, in sweat, is purported to be a powerful pheromone to women, thereby providing an interesting link to the armpit sweat consideration made earlier). Additional approaches would, indeed, be complimentary – psychotherapy, perhaps some anaphrodisiac essential oils (such as marjoram) and the use of carefully selected herbs from the range discussed above.
After all, a Licorice Allsort or two certainly should not cause any harm, and might even offer some relief – or at least displace the cravings in a similar way to chocolates (which contain the mood-lifting compounds Phenylethylamine and the Seratonin precursor, Tryptophan, and are associated with the sensations of well-being, love and lust). Many other easily available substances are also able to “dampen the mood”: nicotine, for example, can (in addition to a whole host of other negative indicators concerning smoking) also inhibit sexual desire. Furthermore, alcohol, mentioned earlier as a “chemical” aphrodisiac because of its ability to disinhibit consumers, should more accurately be defined as a physiological anaphrodisiac due to its negative impact on sexual capability. Clearly however, a beer and a cigarette are hardly the recommendations to be made by an ethical member of any caring profession.
In the final assessment, the patient’s best interests must be addressed, and this may require referral to a specialist for prescription drugs such as the SSRIs. The natural medicines practitioner should thus be prepared to face such “defeats” from time to time in the realisation that any advice that offers benefit to the patient is a victory - even if one (won) in disguise.