14 Herbs That Will Make You Horny, Baby!

What's the secret to amazing sex? We've heard everything—confidence, trust, willingness to let go and have fun.

But is there more to the recipe? Ever since watching Love Potion #9, I've fantasized about magic herbs and potions that would make me simply irresistible. While I have yet to find said potions, there's endless herbs out there that just may do wonders for our sex lives.

"Sexual herbs throughout the ages have been eagerly consumed no matter how unappetizing or bizarre. In our never-ending search for better sex, humans have ingested such diverse items as elephant tusks, lion blood, bull testicles, rhino horn, ram penis, pig genitals and the dried remains of the Mediterranean Cantharis beetle, otherwise known as Spanish Fly," says Dr. Ava Cadell.

Fortunately, we have made breakthroughs in the treatment of sexual dysfunction with natural herbs. Sex drive in both men and women can be enhanced with herbs, so can longer lasting erections, female lubrication and more intense orgasms all resulting in sexual satisfaction.

Among the more popular and effective herbs are some of the below. You may want to make a shopping list!

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1. Ginseng:

"I suggest taking ginseng. After sampling hundreds of natural aphrodisiacs, there is no magic bullet. However, ginseng was the single substance found to exhibit the most consistent results for sexual arousal, and that is because it was most effective in addressing general health," says Dr. Kat Van Kirk, a clinical sexologist/marriage and family therapist, yoga therapist, author and media host.

It increases blood flow through a man's lower extremities, but it has also shown promise in helping women boost their desire, performance, energy and orgasm.

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2. Horny Goat Weed:

Sexual dysfunction can definitely put a damper on your bedroom festivities. You may want to try taking DHEA, yohimbine, horny goat weed or tribulus in low doses, which can improve blood flow to the pelvic region, says Dr. Kat.

If issues persist, follow up with a medical professional. This is a leafy, high-altitude plant, which has long been believed to boost the libido. The name isn't really hiding anything.

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3. Avena Sativa:

Also known as Wild Oat, this herb is quickly becoming a popular natural alternative to Viagra without the same side effects. "It is a biologically standardized extract of green oats and it’s interesting to note that green oats contain an ingredient that stimulates sexual feelings and behavior in light of such popular expressions as feeling your oats or sowing your wild oats," says Cadell.

Historically, the earliest reference to the sexually stimulating effects of oats was found in the German Pharmacopoeia 200 years ago!

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4. Ginkgo Biloba:

Ginkgo is the oldest living tree species on earth for 150 - 200 million years. "This Chinese herb is known for relieving tension and anxiety, improving mental alertness, elevating moods and restoring energy, increasing blood flow to the genitals especially for men and improving all age-related problems," says Cadell.

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5. Dong-quai:

Also known as Chinese Angelica, is primarily used in treating women's conditions such as loss of sexual desire, PMS and menopause. "Women have discovered this 5,000-year-old tradition that naturally provides balancing and normalizing support for women’s unique rhythms, cycles and body systems," says Cadell.

However, it increases the effects of hormones in both men and women, and is also widely used as an aphrodisiac.

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6. Cordycepsis mushroom:

This is no ordinary mushroom you may find on your pizza.  Cordycepsis balances levels of sex hormones, optimizes adrenal function, promoting flow of sex hormones, supports mitochondrial function by increasing energy levels and sexual interest, allows vaginal lubrication and reduces inflammation, says Chrissy Wellington-Garner, a nutritionist at Canyon Ranch  in Lenox.

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7. Vanilla:

Vanilla is delicious and intoxicating, but that's not all. It's also one of the best-known mood boosters and it has been used throughout history to treat impotency, erectile dysfunction, and libido loss, says Wellington-Garner.

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8. Ashwaganda:

This herb may increase blood flow to the clitoris and other female sexual organs, creating an intense sexual experience, says Wellington-Garner.

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9. Cinnamon:

Love a dash of cinnamon in your hot cocoa? Pile it on, Wellington-Garner says it increases heat in the body. Anything that boosts heat increases circulation. Increased circulation leads to increased blood flow obviously increasing stimulation.

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10. Yohimbe:

This is the only herb listed in The Physicians Desk Reference Book as a natural aphrodisiac for both men and women, says Cadell. This extract is derived from the bark of a large tree that grows in tropical West Africa. Researchers in a Stanford University study investigated Yohimbe’s long time reputation as an aphrodisiac.  The study showed that subjects experienced a 90% increase in sexual desire in less than one hour.

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11. Damiana:

This "lover's herb" contains alkaloids, which stimulate blood flow to the genitals & increase sensitivity, says Dr. Cadell. "The natives of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians, have used the damiana leaf to boost sexual potency. Since the 19th century this herb has been used as an overall body tonic to stimulate the circulation of the body, which raises energy levels for men and women," says Cadell.

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12. Kava:

You may have seen Kava in your favorite gourmet teas. There's reason for this: This herb is known to calm our nerves and be amazing for stress relief. While this doesn't technically make it an aphrodisiac, you try to have fun sexy times when you are overwhelmed with stress!

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13. Maca:

Maca is very high and zinc in iodine, which is great for stimulating sex drive and regulating hormones. As the author of two Peruvian super foods books, Peruvian Power Foods and Whole Body Reboot: The Peruvian Superfoods Diet, Manuel Villacorta, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and author has studied the health effects of maca extensively.

"I have found solid consensus that maca is shown to increase libido in both men and women and has been regarded as a potent sexual stimulant for centuries, so it's no surprise that today it's known as nature's Viagra!" Villacorta says, who recommends trying the youthH2O supplement, which contains pure maca extract, "because it is a highly absorbable source of maca, optimizing the benefits of the root," Villacorta says.

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14. Spanish Fly:

Also known as Cantharis Vesicatoria, these are dried, crushed green blister beetles. Totally sexy, right? But wait: When they are pressed into powder form, they are sold in capsules and ingested by men who want to improve their erections, says Cadell.

But, buyer beware: On the contrary, Spanish Fly causes painful swelling and irritation of the urinary tract, which used to be mistaken for sexual arousal. Research done in 1996 by the FDA shows that the drug has no so-called sexual effects and it is now illegal in the United States.

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