Healthy libido and hormone levels can vastly improve one’s quality of life. Often times (but not always) an inhibited libido can be a sign that the rest of our health is not in full harmony. It is, perhaps, one of nature’s ways/symptoms of calling attention to our overall health.
One of the most effective and holistic ways to boost libido is to optimize the health of the rest of the body, through proper sleep, diet, and exercise. In addition to this, a healthy and balanced hormonal environment usually results in a boost to the libido.
The problem with many libido or hormone “boosters” on the market is that they can tend to be very overstimulating or overheating for some, and can cause problems or just become totally ineffective in the long term. That’s why I wanted to provide my 5 favorite herbs for boosting libido and hormonal health. These herbs are not only effective but will provide an abundance of other health benefits and are free from harmful side effects over the long term.
Nettle
Nettle Root is in a unique class among herbs for hormonal health, as it allows the body to not only build its supply of free testosterone, but to also detox unneeded estrogen and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. SHBG is a glycoprotein that binds to testosterone and creates bound testosterone, rendering it useless. Nettle has the unique ability to release this bind, creating an abundance of free testosterone for the body to use.
Other benefits of Nettle Root include:
- Immune System Support
- Scalp and Hair Tonic
- Joint Health
- Astringent
- Urinary Regularity and Health
- Anti-aromatase
- Anabolic (increasing protein in cells)
- Increased Libido and Vitality
If you’d like to learn more about Nettle Root, you can check out my podcast all about its benefits. You can also learn more and grab a bag of Nettle here!
He Shou Wu
One factor that can definitely interfere with healthy libido and hormone levels is stress. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can actually depress testosterone levels.
"When cortisol levels remain elevated, as is the case with so many people who are under constant stress, the ability to reproduce can suffer greatly. However, these effects of cortisol in both men and women are reversed when stress levels go down."*
-Dr. Robert Josephs, professor of psychology at The University of Texas at Austin
This is where He Shou Wu can be a valuable ally because of its ability to calm the nervous system and lower stress. Additionally, He Shou Wu is one of the best blood-building herbs, and one of the root causes of anxiety or stress is weak/malnourished blood and circulation. By calming the nervous system and building healthy, nourishing blood, He Shou Wu can be extremely valuable in producing a calm, stable sense of mind free from anxiety, stress, and high cortisol levels. It can also help to facilitate deeper sleep and calm the mind before bed.
Hyperion’s He Shou Wu is available as a powdered extract and in capsules.
*(Src:https://www.mdmag.com/medical-news/testosterone-vs-cortisol-winner-determines-fight-or-flight )
Cordyceps
In the origin story of cordyceps we can already get a glimpse of its effects on libido:
A group of yak herders witnessed its effects on their herd before considering it for human consumption. The herders saw that after their yaks had consumed the vegetation containing cordyceps, not only were they stronger and more resistant to high altitudes, but also healthier, longer lived, and exhibited mating activity that had become more productive and frequent. After putting two and two together, one brave herdsman experimented with cordyceps himself. Immediately he experienced the remarkable effects that cordyceps had on his stamina, immune functions, and sexual drive, and thus, it spread like wildfire, becoming the hottest herbal commodity in the country.
Many people who take cordyceps report similar effects on their own sexual drive, in addition to cordyceps’ many other benefits such as:
- Tonified kidneys and lungs
- Increased cellular ATP for natural energy
- Balanced immune system
- Reduced stress and fatigue
- Improved oxygen utilization
- Potent anti-oxidant, adaptogen and anti-inflammatory
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Tonified kidney yang jing energies
Pine Pollen
Pine pollen is somewhat famous in the world of athletics and weightlifting for its ability to boost testosterone in the body. This is due to its abundance of phytoandrogens, resulting naturally from it being the reproductive essense of the pine tree. Pine pollen is nutritive in smaller doses, containing an abundance of nutrients that are hard to find elsewhere. Larger doses result in a more anabolic effect.
Other benefits may include:
- Improved hormone profile, increased testosterone
- Anti-aging effects
- Improved energy and endurance, reduced fatigue
- Strengthened immune system
- Healthier skin and hair (due to the many vitamins and minerals)
- Improved sexual health, heightened libido
- Removal of free radicals
- Decrease inflammation
Polyrachis Ant
Polyrachis Ant extract is a highly revered, elite sex tonic for both men and women. Traditional Chinese Medicine tells us that polyrachis is very effective at replenishing the Qi, resulting in increased vitality, prolonged life, and improved sexual function.
Polyrachis truly boosts the libido in a holistic manner, since its improvement of the sexual function likely results from or is related to its ability to improve the other areas of our health by replenishing Qi, nourishing the blood and increasing circulation, and promoting overall well-being throughout the whole body.
You can pick up some top shelf polyrachis ant here!
You can also check out my new Men’s Health & Testosterone Section in the store if you want to take your hormonal health to new heights using top notch tonic herbs to support libido and testosterone.