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Spice Up Your Holiday Cheer With Muira Puama

‘Tis the season to unwind with loved ones but if your libido's on vacation you might want to try muira puama. In Brazil's Amazon region, where the muira puama tree is known as the 'potency wood," it's been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia has even listed it for 50 years.

In the United States muira puama has gained popularity in recent years as male and female herbalists use it to increase their sex drive. Statistics show a higher frequency of sexual cravings, fantasies and intercourse, and more intense orgasms. Overall, users describe greater satisfaction with their sex life.

Each gender also has specific uses for the popular herb, muira puama. Women take it to alleviate menstrual cramps and PMS and men take it to treat erectile dysfunction. Among other uses is for central nervous system disorders. Researchers have found few negative side-effects.

Maca May Promote Healthier Sexual Function…For Both of You

The maca root grows at extremely high elevations in the Andean Mountains of Peru and is beneficial for energy and stamina. Maca extract is rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. Maca, which can help balance hormone levels, is an ideal sexual supplement for both sexes.

For men, maca may be beneficial regarding erectile dysfunction. In the March 2004 edition of Alternative Medicine Review, researchers found maca to offer “some degree of evidence” for helping erectile dysfunction. And just recently, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found (Jan. 2005) that red maca supplementation reduced prostate size in rats. The same journal published a study in May 2005 that found maca helped increase litter size in normal female mice…a possible fertility boon for women.

Keep in mind that maca is considered an adaptogen, which means it works through the body’s adrenal glands. Maca offers greater benefits if taken over a period of time rather than occasionally.

Sexuality and Horny Goat Weed. Yes, You Heard Right

It's a common occurrence to wonder “Hey, is my sex life like the average person’s?” Unfortunately, the statistics on the “average” sex life can be misleading. It all boils down to your individual comfort and satisfaction levels and improving your overall health:

For men and women, perhaps the most important part of a healthy sex life is maintaining that level energy and vigor. And, horny goat weed may be an answer. Its clinical name is yin yang huo; horny goat weed was apparently crowned its straightforward nickname when it was found that the goats grazing on the weed became sexually aroused.

Although horny goat weed has a history of more traditional use for disorders of the kidneys, joints, liver, back and knees, it has mainly been used as an aphrodisiac in Asian medicine. It has may promote increased levels of testosterone and thyroid hormones.