As we near Valentine's Day, thoughts often turn to romance, libido, and what kinds of herbs and recipes help kindle our spark in the bedroom. While sex drive is complicated, individual, and multifactorial, herbal remedies might be part of our overall support. And they're fun!

Heat Things Up with Herbs

Definitely check out this free article I wrote on herbs for libido support for Taste of Life magazine in February 2021. Due to copyright laws and my freelance contract, I can't simply copy it all here, but the editorial staff was kind enough to post it freely on their website at my request so I could share it (thanks, Lynn!). In this article I discuss herbs that support libido and sexual function in all genders including...

Herbs that get the blood moving and spice things up by boosting circulation (think: cayenne, ginger, ginkgo, rosemary, hawthorn, garlic, and/or turmeric)

Some of my favorite adaptogenic libido herbs that also often support hormone balance and energy including maca, ashwagandha, and shatavari with generally safe, tonic, long-term benefits

Traditional libido herbs like muira puama, tribulus, and epimedium that can a bit more potent -- possibly testostrogenic -- which might enhance sexual desire and function in all genders, but they often come with safety, adulteration, quality, and/or sustainability concerns

Sex-Supportive Nervines that help us when stress and anxiety intervene, such as damiana, milky oat seed, passionflower, lemon balm, and skullcap

Moisten Dry Tissues  with shatavari, and also see my general Dealing with Dryness article here, and also consider more direct hormonal menopause support

Once again, you can read more in the full Feb 2021 article here. (You can also read some of my previous Taste for Life articles on this topic including these from 2016 and 2020.

Maria's Edible Body Butter Recipe

We don’t go on a romantic vacation without a jar or bottle of Edible Body Butter. I slip it into bridal shower and wedding gifts as well—it’s become one of my most popular homemade goodies! It will solidify in cooler months. I like to keep mine in a bottle, which I place in a mug of hot water to liquefy (and warm) before using. You can also keep it in a jar, scoop out a bit, and warm it on the body until it’s melted.

1. 3 parts coconut oil
2. 1 part cocoa butter
3. 1/2 part grapeseed or almond oil (canola or sunflower oil works, too)

Melt the above in a double boiler.

Infuse any or all of the following spices with the oils

1. pinch nutmeg
2. cinnamon sticks
3. cardamom pods
4. vanilla beans

I let them warm very gently in a double-boiler for about 20 minutes, then strain out the oil.

Pour into a bottle, leaving 1/3 of the bottle empty to fill with your choice of the following to taste:

1. Vanilla extract (optional)
2. Chocolate extract (optional)
3. Stevia (start low! just a few drops is usually plenty)
4. Damiana, coffee, and/or chocolate liquor (optional)
5. To use, shake vigorously to combine oils and waters, pour on the body, massage, kiss. 

It tastes like candy!

Body butter is best kept refrigerated or in a cool, dry place. If it solidifies, warm the bottle in a mug of warm water to re-liquidfy. It should keep for several months. Edible body butter is not recommended for use on genitals. Sweet liquors could aggravate yeast or bacterial infections, and the oily consistency is not latex-friendly. (Oil residues on clothing and linens will go rancid over time, so keep things neat and clean as much as possible. It’s helpful to wipe off excess oil with an old, dry towel or face cloth after the massage.)

Want to Learn More?

Take a DEEP DIVE into the topic
with Maria's Online Sexual Vitality Class

This class is semi-advanced, geared towards the intermediate herb student and for students pursuing clinical work. 14-pages of detailed notes discuss the bigger picture of supporting sex drive and function, highlighting key herbs, their tradition, and their scientific evidence, plus recipes. A nearly two-hour-long webinar video highlights the material (originally recorded in November 2021 for my advanced series). Register here
The class is pre-recorded and on-demand, online, available anywhere in the world. Access will be emailed immediately upon registration. No deadline to watch. Downloadable notes and slides.

Clinical herbalist Maria Noël Groves sees clients and teaches classes at Wintergreen Botanicals Herbal Clinic & Education Center in Allenstown, New Hampshire.

The statements made on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, recommend, treat, cure, or offer medical advice. Please see your health care practitioner for help regarding choices and to avoid herb-drug interactions.