Adaptogens and libido - what are the relationships?

Adaptogens, natural substances derived from plants, have long been used in folk medicine to improve overall health and the body's resistance to stress. But did you know that they can also affect libido? In this article, we'll take a closer look at what the relationship between adaptogens and libido is, exploring the scientific evidence of how these powerful plants can affect human sexual function. Can adaptogens actually increase libido? Is every adaptogen helpful? How do they work? Read to the end to learn more about the fascinating world of adaptogens and their potential impact on our sex lives.

• Do adaptogens increase libido?
• How can adaptogens affect libido?
• What adaptogens work best for libido?
• Summary

Do adaptogens increase libido?

By all means , adaptogens can positively affect not only libido, or sexual desire, but also other aspects of sexual life. However, this is not the domain of all adaptogens, so if you care about increasing libido, you should properly choose an adaptogen specifically for this. In the following section, you will learn which adaptogens are worth choosing and how they can help you.

How can adaptogens affect libido?

First, it's by reducing emotional stress and improving mental well-being. Nothing sabotages sexual desire more than stress, anxiety and bad mood. You know very well how anxiety can spoil the romantic atmosphere. This has an evolutionary rationale, because when we are not relaxed, it means that a threat may be lurking nearby. And in the face of danger, sexual rapprochement is not the best idea, as it significantly disrupts alertness. Their effect on stress reduction is admittedly an indirect, but very important aspect of their influence on improving libido.

Another aspect is the effect directly on neurotransmitters and relevant systems in the brain that regulate the system of motivation and sexual behavior. Also strongly related is the effect on sex hormones, which also regulate libido via the relevant neurotransmitter systems. Probably of greatest importance is the effect on the action of dopamine, which controls the reward system and is responsible for the pursuit of specific behaviors that give us pleasure. Efficient dopamine function usually means high libido. Not insignificant is also the effect on the action of norepinephrine and serotonin.

What adaptogens work best for libido?

Not every adaptogen will give a pronounced effect on sexual desire. However, there are some whose libido-enhancing properties are even a hallmark and one of their strongest benefits. Here's a brief overview of the best adaptogenic aphrodisiacs.

Peruvian Maca

Maca is known for its beneficial effects on sexual function. It can act in this way in all genders, but women are particularly fond of it. Studies show that the effect on sexual function occurs without affecting sex hormones. So it works great when the goal is to improve subjective sensations without worrying about any interference with hormone concentrations.

One study used Peruvian matcha extract to reduce sexual dysfunction resulting from ongoing treatment with SSRI antidepressants. This is interesting because many adaptogens interact more or less with antidepressants, so maca stands out here. The effects of the study were, of course, positive, with participants enjoying less decrease in libido during treatment with antidepressants thanks to maca extracts.

Sources:

• Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrology. 2002;34(6):367-372. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x
• 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
• Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G, et al. 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;14(3):182-191. doi:10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00052.x

Korean ginseng

A highly potent adaptogen that boosts energy, vitality and supports libido. Ginseng works at the neuronal level, affecting the dopamine, GABA and acetylcholine systems. It can also stimulate the pituitary gland to produce LH, which in turn stimulates steroid production in the gonads.

Korean ginseng has an illuminatingeffect on male potency. One of the actions of ginsenosides (ginseng's active ingredients) is to increase the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium of the penile corpora cavernosa. This results in a stronger and longer erection.

Traditionally, ginseng has also been used to support male fertility. There are indications that it can improve semen quality and increase conception rates among supplement users.

Other ginseng(Panax spp), such as American, false or Japanese, may also work in a similar way, but the one we know as "Korean" or "proper"(Panax ginseng) is the most popular, best studied for this purpose and very possibly the most effective for improving sexual function.

In summary, Korean Ginseng is a very effective and comprehensive supplement for supporting sexuality, especially male sexuality. It can improve libido, spermatogenesis, fertility and testosterone levels.

Sources:

• Leung KW, Wong AS. Ginseng and male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391

Tongkat ali

You may also know this plant by the names Eurycoma longifolia or Malaysian ginseng. Its root is considered to be a typically male adaptogen, which may have the effect of normalizing testosterone levels and improving sexual function.

There are some very promising reports of Tongkat ali's effects in scientific publications. In addition to its ability to pleasantly increase vitality and act as a mild adaptogen, it has been noted that it can actually raise testosterone levels in men when they were too low. Quite a few correlations have been described between Eurycoma extract supplementation and the concentrations and ratios of various steroid hormones.

Eurycoma acts as an aphrodisiac in both animal and human studies. In a 2017 review of studies, we see that supplementation with Tongkat ali yielded marked improvements in the frequency of attempted sexual intercourse, the hardness of penile erections and the well-being associated with one's sexual activity.

Sources:

• Thu HE, Mohamed IN, Hussain Z, Jayusman PA, Shuid AN. Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adopogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies. Chin J Nat Med. 2017;15(1):71-80. doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30010-9

Other herbal aphrodisiacs

In addition to the above, there are a number of other herbal aphrodisiacs (not just among adaptogens) that have supported sexual function in humans for centuries. These include:

• Epimedium (Horny goat weed)
• Fadogia agrestis
• Tribulus terrestris
• Yohimbe
• Saffron

Summary

If you are struggling with sexual dysfunction, don't ignore it. Sexual life is a very important part of life that regulates our sense of satisfaction, comfort and fulfillment. For mild disorders , it's worth experimenting with plant-based aphrodisiacs. Especially those that are also adaptogens can bring very cool health benefits. However, if the problems are severe and bother you strongly, be sure to seek medical advice.