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Low libido may be discouraging, but it’s very common in women, especially during hormonal shifts like pregnancy, lactation, perimenopause, and menopause.

Even stress and lack of sleep can cause dips in desire, so know you’re not alone.

Fortunately, there are several herbs for women’s libido that can help increase desire, support healthy hormones, and even improve satisfaction.

Ready to get out of your slump and reclaim your sexy?

Let’s dive in and explore these five herbs proven to help promote a healthy female libido, plus nutrition and lifestyle practices.

What Causes Low Libido in Women?

Low libido in women is common and may be caused by various physical, mental, psychological, or emotional factors, including:

  • Acute or chronic stress
  • Drug or alcohol use
  • Underlying health conditions
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Perimenopause 
  • Neurotransmitter imbalance
  • Menopause
  • Lack of sleep
  • Grief
  • Trauma
  • Shame about sex
  • Pain during sex
  • Certain medications, such as some forms of birth control, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and others
  • Infections
  • Pre-existing health conditions

With so many potential causes of low libido, it’s important to talk with your doctor or healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.

If you’ve been told or suspect it’s due to a specific issues, such as stress, perimenopause, or hormonal fluctuations, herbs may often help reignite that spark.

How Can Herbs Help Low Libido?

As you’ve just learned, low libido in women has many potential causal factors.

Although herbs are not a one-size-fits all, they can help by supporting various organs and systems associated with a healthy sex drive, including:

Nervous system function 

The nervous system is intimately involved in our perception of and stress response. It also works in conjunction with the gut to produce and regulate various neurotransmitters, including those involved in pleasure, love, and satisfaction, such as dopamine and oxytocin.

Most notably, the nervous system plays an essential role in various aspects of sexual function including erection (penile and clitoral), vaginal secretions, and orgasm. 

Various types of herbs, known as nervines and adaptogens, support normal nervous system function, which can help with multiple aspects of libido and normal sexual function.

Adrenal function

Your adrenals sit atop the kidneys and are responsible for your fight-or-flight response, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Excess stress hormones can cause a chronic state of fight or flight, which disrupts sleep, mental/emotional well-being, and overall hormonal balance—including sex hormones.

Stress-relieving herbs, known as adaptogens, nervines, and sedatives, can all support a healthy stress response by affecting adrenal function.

HPA and HPG Axis function

The HPA Axis includes your hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands and is intimately involved in endocrine (hormonal) function, including hormones related to stress, reproduction/sex, sleep, blood sugar, and appetite.

The HPG Axis includes your hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonads, and regulates various sex hormones including estradiole (estrogens), progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormon (LH).

Several herbs, including those we’ll discuss below, have been shown to be beneficial for the HPA and HPG axis.

Gut microbiome function

It may sound strange, but new research has shown the gut microbiome, or specifically a part of the gut known as the estrobolome greatly influences our sex drive. 

The estrobolome is the part of your gut that helps you metabolize estrogen via various gut microbes. This helps regulates circulation of estrogen and other reproductive and sex hormones.

Many herbs are well-known and studied for their gut health benefits.

Hormonal function

Research has shown different herbs can act on various hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and others. 

Some herbs and functional foods, like soy and black cohosh, also contain estrogen-like compounds, known as phytoestrogens, which may influence libido and sexual function.

These are just a few examples of the many ways herbs may help promote a healthy libido in women and all genders.

5 Herbs For Women’s Libido Backed By Science

Now that you understand some of the causes of low libido in women and how herbs can help, let’s explore five studied herbs for women’s libido.

1. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is one of the most well-known herbs for women’s libido and hormonal health.

Studies have shown Fenugreek extract can help with various causes of low-libido in women, including:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Hormonal balance, particularly related to estradiol and testosterone
  • Irritability
  • Sexual desire
  • Arousal

Fenugreek has also been used in traditional herbalism to promote various aspects of women’s health, including for perimenopause, PMS, menopause, and low libido.

Studies also suggest it can help support normal sexual function in men, as well as cardiovascular function and cognitive health.

Country Life offers one of the most studied forms of Fenugreek, Libifem® fenugreek seed extract, in our Libido Rescue™ supplement, paired with calming L-Theanine.

2. Maca

Also known as “Peruvian Ginseng,” Maca has a rich history of traditional use as an aphrodisiac, adaptogen (stress reliever), tonic, energy enhancer, and functional food in South American traditional medicine.

Women have also used Maca successfully to support a healthy menstrual cycle and ease PMS symptoms.

Although more research is needed, studies have shown Maca may promote normal production of Luteinizing hormone (LH), and may help boost libido in menopausal women.

It’s also been shown to reduce stress by supporting healthy aforementioned Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) and Hypothalamus Pituitary Gonadal (HPG) axes.

People also swear by Maca’s energy-boosting benefits, which is why you often find it in sport’s nutrition and energy-support supplements.

Although more research is needed, historical use coupled with emerging studies suggest Maca may be an effective herb for women’s libido and overall reproductive function.

3. Shatavari

Shatavari is an ancient Ayurvedic herb in the asparagus family believed to be the most essential for women’s health at all stages of life.

The name loosely translates to “she who possesses 1000 husbands and is pleasing to many”, which gives a pretty strong nod to its aphrodisiac qualities!

Although it’s lesser-known in the West, various studies suggest shatavari may have various positive effects on women’s libido and hormonal health, including:

  • Supporting normal estrogen levels
  • Reducing stress
  • Promoting normal nervous system function
  • Supporting normal testosterone function (which is essential for sexual desire in men and women)
  • Easing perimenopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, that may impede libido

Shatavari can be found as a supplement, alone or combined with other herbs, from Ayurvedic herbal suppliers or practitioners.

4. Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng, also known as asian ginseng or red ginseng, is one of the best-known adaptogens, a group of herbs that promotes energy, resilience, and stamina.

Like other adaptogens (maca and shatavari), it’s also a prized aphrodisiac throughout Eastern and Western traditional herbalism for women and men.

And the science agrees! 

Various studies have shown Panax Ginseng can help promote libido in women (menstruating and menopausal) when taken alone, or with other libido-supportive herbs and vitamins, such as damiana and L-arginine.

Research suggests it works by promoting normal blood flow to the gentials, supporting the HPA and HPG Axis, and reducing stress.

5. Saffron

Saffron, also known as “the golden spice,” is famous for being the world’s most expensive spice.

However, it also has a long history of use in traditional Iranian, European, and Middle Easten herbalism as a sedative, nervine, and aphrodisiac.

Although studies on saffron’s aphrodisiac qualities are limited, some research suggest specific plant compounds, such as crocin and safranal, may help promote healthy libido in women.

You can find saffron in the spice aisle of your local supermarket, or in supplements.

Nutrition & Lifestyle Practices To Boost Women’s Libido Naturally

Herbs can be very helpful for boosting libido when you’re in a slump.

However, they are only a part of the equation. As always, a healthy diet and lifestyle are paramount for overall health, including sex drive.

Here are some proven ways to help promote healthy libido using nutrition and lifestyle:

  • Exercise regularly: Exercise promotes healthy circulatory function, improves body image, supports sleep, promotes hormonal harmony, and can boost sex drive.
  • Try pelvic floor exercises: Toning your pelvic floor isn’t just good for urinary health or postpartum, it can also enhance circulation to the vagina and clitoris, boosting libido.
  • Sleep: Sleep deprivation is a common cause of low libido in women. Aim for 7.5-9 hours of sleep every night, and check out if you need help getting your zzzs.
  • Practice stress management: Stress, especially chronic stress, can cause increase in sex dampening stress hormones, like cortisol. Regular stress reducing practices, such as exercise, laughing, spending time in nature, socializing, getting a massage, sex (yep!), and mindfulness meditation can all help keep stress in check.
  • Rethink alcohol: Alcohol may help you get in the mood, but it can also dampen sex drive over time. For women specifically, research has shown it impede vaginal lubrication during sex. Try adjusting your alcohol consumption, or take a break and see if/how your sex drive improves.
  • Eat clean: A healthy diet rich in whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats ensures you getting the nutrients you need to feed your health, hormones, and sex drive. In fact, research has shown imbalanced blood sugar, which can be caused by processed foods, can interfere with various aspects of sexual function and libido.
  • Consider a women’s multivitamin: There are various vitamins and minerals involved in sex drive, sexual function, and hormonal health including vitamin D, vitamin C, B-vitamins, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, and zinc. A women’s multivitamin can help ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need for a healthy body (and sex drive), even when your diet is not ideal. Learn more in: What Are The Best Multivitamin Ingredients For Women.

Discover Country Life’s Supplements & Herbs For Women’s Libido & Sexual Health

If you’re looking for ways to boost libido naturally, herbs and nutritional supplements can help.

At Country Life, we have a full certified gluten-free women’s health line including supplements for libido and sexual health, including:

All our products, from raw ingredients to finished supplements, are rigorously tested to ensure a clean product and accurate potency in our NSF-GMP-compliant, certified gluten-free, and certified organic manufacturing facilities. 

We maintain our celebrated quality through extensive research, natural sourcing, and accurate labeling.

Click here to shop all Country Life’s gluten-free vitamins, minerals, and supplements.

Learn more about our company’s ethos and history here.

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