Aphrodisiacs for Everyone

Exploring eros with plant allies

I am such a lover girl that I just had to write a festive plant post for Valentine’s Day. It would be a disservice to everyone if I didn’t talk about this very timely topic. It makes me happy to see more herbalist and ecosexual circles talking about aphrodisiac plants, despite still being taboo in the mainstream. I wanted to talk a little about my knowledge and experience with this beautiful subcategory of plants. We have such a limited view of these plants and could learn so much from building a relationship with them.

I have a strong fascination with aphrodisiacs. It’s easy for people to only think of aphrodisiacs for something for a couple’s intimacy. Honestly, that does a big disservice to these types of plants. They just make life better. They allow you to engage your senses, open you up to new energy frequencies, and your heart to expand. You can feel connected and embodied when focusing on the aphrodisiac qualities of these plants.

Aphrodisiacs are the secret powerhouse for altered states of consciousness because they require you to be present. Any herbalist will tell you that simply sitting with a rose and doing some breathing work can completely change your life, no matter how small a shift, it is a change. When you incorporate aphrodisiacs into you are allowing love to flow into your life.

Eden Rose 35

It is important when we think of herbalism, to consider that it is a holistic practice. When we think about pairing people with plants, we think about the whole person and not someone with many parts (unlike allopathic medicine). There is not one plant for every ailment and not every plant will be suitable for every person. Additionally, plants are only one aspect that can affect libido and it may require a holistic approach. These are only a brief overview of some herbs that are common aphrodisiacs that I have experience with, I encourage everyone to do further research. *

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

Damiana was used in Mexico by natives to help with depression and impotency for both men and women. It is traditionally used in teas, mixed with alcohol to enhance flavor, or smoked. As someone obsessed with the language of plants, we can tell by the yellow flowers that damiana is ruled by the sun and indicted to the treatment of mood disorders. This is a beautiful plant to simply uplift someone in poor mood and to help to”‘brighten things up" similar to St John Worts. It is a slightly warming herbs and helps with stagnation. It is toning and can restore vitality to the reproductive organs.

This herb can be a great choice for someone who is dealing with mild anxiety or depression affecting their libido. It can also be great for an individual who has lost their ‘lust for life’ and has mild depression or anxiety. It is a beautiful nervine and be combined with other plants as a powerful nerve tonic for nervous system exhaustion. When used in this way it can be a great choice for someone dealing with high cortisol affecting their endocrine system.

It would be recommended for both men and women who are suffering from low libido. This plant should be avoided while pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are trying to conceive, it is recommended to avoid after ovulation until you can confirm you aren’t pregnant.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with this plant ally as a nervine. What I found most remarkable about the plant was how quickly it impacted my nervous system. I found that it pairs perfectly with lemon balm to uplift the mood of someone who suffers from PMDD. This plant ally made life much more fruitful and juicy. I think that this would be a great ally for creativity and creating fertile soil for growing new things. While working with this plant ally, I have found I have a hunger for life and an uncanny optimism.

Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)

Blue lotus is best known for Ancient Egypt’s traditional uses. It was traditionally added to wine to create a psychoactive effect for rituals. Today, it is most commonly used while smoking or as a tincture. I would caution against tea because all the compounds can’t be fully extracted with water, you may notice a general mild calmness but are missing out on all its actions. It is known for creating a euphoric feeling while promoting a sense of calmness. While the research is catching us, this plant has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. It is assumed that it works by increasing blood pressure in the body thus increasing blood flow to genitalia.

This can be a great ally if you want to incorporate more rituals in your life and to help you feel more expansive I would highly recommend combining it with mugwort when using it to allow the sacred to enter life. This can also be a good choice for someone looking for a more euphoric and expansive feeling. There is limited research on blue lotus and contraindications, use it with caution. It is not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are trying to conceive, it is recommended to avoid after ovulation until you can confirm you aren’t pregnant.

Blue lotus was trending on social media a few years ago and like everyone else, I was curious about the euphoric effects. I have only used blue lotus as a tincture or tea- which I would not recommend. While using a simple tincture of blue lotus, I found it to be a powerful ally for dropping societal expectations and allowing true self-expression. This can be a great ally if you are working through breaking down barriers in your life- including your romantic life. Let go and surrender to your deepest desires.

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rose is one of the best-known aphrodisiacs, as women smoother themselves in rose perfumes. Rose is the most accessible herb on this list and can even be found in the grocery store. Rose is a nervine that is gentle on our nervous system. It reacts to our body through the aromatic qualities that relax our nervous system while as a neuroprotective, to protect our nervous system. It also has the qualities to increase circulation and move stagnation out of the womb space.

Rose has a dualistic quality with the rose-thorn aspect. Both invite us to be soft and embrace our sensuality and also reminding us to maintain strong boundaries. This can be a great plant ally for those who need a safe space to be vulnerable and want to encourage more intimacy in their relationships (both platonic and romantic).

If you have been wanting to be more present and embodied I would recommend this gentle plant. It’s easy in the modern world to feel disconnected from our bodies and even the world around us. Rose grants us a connection to all. Rose is considered safe for most people including while pregnant and breastfeeding while taking in low doses.

I remember sitting in a workshop about roses. We all sat smelling our rose petals in our hands while meditating on the great plant spirit. We were asked to recall that experience later and give one word to the message rose gave us. The word that it gave me was sanctuary, being safe is the embrace of a rose with the imagination of the rose tower from Sleeping Beauty. I have most often worked with this plant to help heal heartbreak and sadness, but this ally can help with embodiment and connection.

*This is not medical advice, always do further research and work with an experienced herbalist. The list of indications and contraindications is limited and does not include the full scope.

Honorable Mention Herbs:

• Ashwagandha

• Cinnamon

• Cacao

• Maca

• Shatavari

Is their interest in a part two? I had to cut my post short with it already being almost 1,500 words. Let me know what plants you would like me to explore.