If you often find yourself not in the mood for sex, or simply can’t remember when you last had sex, try some of these natural solutions to get your libido back on track:

1) Practise your Kegels: Get your vaginal muscles in shape again by practising your Kegels (pelvic floor exercises). Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and combat incontinence and make sex more enjoyable. To find out which muscles you need to use, the next time you go to the toilet stop urinating in midstream by contracting your muscles; these are your pelvic floor muscles. Use these muscles to perform a Kegel, contract them and hold for a count of five and then relax. Repeat this ten times, at least five times a day, and you should find it easier to reach orgasm. If you need extra help, then there are some good pelvic toners on the market. There are two I would recommend, so for more information go to www.naturalhealthpractice.com or call 0845 8800915.

 

2) Give yourself a vitamin boost: If you’re feeling too tired to make love ensure you are getting enough of the correct vitamins and minerals. Nutrient deficiencies can drain your energy and dampen your libido so a healthy diet is a must, as is cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes, all of which can interfere with your sex drive. Also be sure that your multivitamin and mineral supplement contains enough vitamin C, B complex and magnesium – these nutrients are all vital to help your body combat libido-sapping stress, balance your blood sugar levels and keep your vagina lubricated.

 

3) Treat yourself and your partner to a massage: Aromatherapy massage oils, such as jasmine, sandalwood, ylang ylang and rose, are all thought to stimulate sex drive. So why not give your partner a massage and ask him or her to return the favour! Massage helps release dopamine – the body’s natural pleasure chemical.

 

4) Catuaba: When no amount of aromatherapy massage can get you in the mood, you may want to try Catuaba – a Brazilian herb that is known as the ‘tree of love.’ The bark contains substances that may act as a natural aphrodisiac within five to 21 days of taking extracts regularly.

 

5) Muira puama: If your partner is the one who struggles to get into the mood you may want to encourage him to try muira puama. This fragrant Amazonian shrub has been used for centuries to boost libido by stimulating production of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. It may also help boost the production of sex hormones and boost circulation to the genital area.

 

6) Boost your serotonin levels: The key to boosting libido is stabilising serotonin levels. Excess amounts of serotonin (the brains ‘feel good’ hormone) cause fatigue and a decrease in sexual desire. But serotonin deficiency is associated with low moods, lack of concentration and poor appetite control. To help your brain and body strike a serotonin balance, make sure you eat five to six small, balanced meals and snacks every day containing complex carbohydrates and healthy protein.

 

7) Foods to spice up your sex life: Although there really aren’t any aphrodisiac foods as such, there are certain foods that contain crucial nutrients for healthy libido. Make sure you include plenty of the following in your diet:

 

Apples – Apples are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre that can boost immunity and general health and wellbeing. Good health and a healthy libido go hand in hand.

Avocado – The Aztecs called the avocado tree ahuacatl or “testicle tree.” While avocados can indeed look like that body part, they also contain high levels of folic acid, which helps metabolise proteins, thus giving you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male and female hormone production) and Vitamin E, both of which are vital for overall sexual function (and a smooth complexion).

Beetroot – Well known for its immune-boosting and blood-building properties, beetroot contains nutrients that help support the liver, which is where sexual hormones are metabolised. It is also rich in iron, calcium and potassium, all of which promotes healthy circulation to the reproductive organs.

 

Cherries – Cherries may be small, but they are a big source of antioxidant compounds – such as the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin, a high intake of which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, strokes and heart attacks. They are also bursting with vitamins and minerals that can boost health and energy – and so boost your libido.

Cinnamon – According to Chinese medicine cinnamon is thought to tone the kidneys and produce a strong flow of energy, and it is linked to virile sexuality. Studies have also shown that the smell of cinnamon can also boost concentration and alertness.

Garlic – Yes, you might need to stock up on some extra breath mints, but it’ll be worth it! Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the penis. As such, it’s a highly effective herb for increasing libido. If the odour just won’t work, or you can’t stand garlic, you can always encourage him to take garlic capsules instead. (The one I use in the clinic is called Aged Garlic – see the Resources Page).

 

Strawberries – Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries) are not only rich in the sex hormone zinc but are also are incredibly high in antioxidants, which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs. They also have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit, meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories.

 

Tomatoes – The juicy tomato, or “love apple,” is a potent source of antioxidants which have strong anti-cancer, anti-ageing and libido-boosting properties.

Mangoes – Apparently the mango is known as ‘The Love Fruit’ and has been used as an ancient Viagra. The Kama Sutra recommends drinking the tropical juices before sexual play – and who can argue with the bible of love! This wonder-fruit contains zinc, a natural sex aid, and sugar and nutrients for stamina. In India mangoes are very important for couples and feature at weddings and other celebrations as a symbol of love and joy of life.

Figs – These are high in amino acids, which are believed to increase libido. The shape of a fresh fig and the sweet, juicy taste are two tangible aspects that are highly pleasurable.

 

8) Go to your GP: If healthy diet and lifestyle changes don’t work and you feel you’ve tried everything, go to your GP to rule out underlying medical disorders that may be dampening your libido, such as high blood pressure or thyroid dysfunction. If no medical reasons are found, your GP may advise counselling if loss of libido is stress related.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 1st, 2009 at 2:20 am and is filed under Fertility, Tiredness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.