Have you ever eaten something so delicious – like a perfectly juicy, ripe peach – and wondered who was the first person in history to taste and experience this simple yet satisfying pleasure of being human? I have often wondered what aphrodisiacs are; How did we come to discover the powerful and seductive properties of plants? I imagine that the first people to be enlightened by sexy botanicals spent many evenings together, sipping Damiana tea, snacking on raw cacao, and basking in the loving feelings.
History and tradition of herbal aphrodisiacs
How did love herbs find their way into the European world of remedies? We can give thanks to the cross-cultural entanglements of sexual knowledge and history. In other words, good news spreads quickly. And there is one topic that everyone seems to be interested in: the birds and the bees.
Even before the colonial era, people considered these plants exotic and unattainable. Something to long for. Herbal knowledge and the use of aphrodisiacs began to spread more widely in the early twentieth century. From there we have exponentially increased our knowledge of not only their sexual and reproductive benefits, but also the many other remarkable properties they possess.
4 herbs for lovers
I often find plants with aphrodisiac properties very attractive. They have certain attractive physical qualities in their appearance along with their unique and intriguing features. These plants always have a date on Valentine’s Day, but you can incorporate love herbs into any date night or bonding moment all year round! Here are four of my favorites:
Passionflower is perhaps one of the most eye-catching plants. Guaranteed to make you look twice, it’s like staring into the eyes of your loved one.
Hawthorn berries have a sensual red color that tempts you to taste them. Additionally, they provide nutritious bioflavonoids most commonly found in red-purple berries.
Damiana has bright yellow flowers with smooth round petals and the leaves are green and sharp. Like male and female meeting each other.
Cocoa is strong, rich and powerful in color, with a sweet and savory taste and aroma. Cocoa contains a lot of magnesium and provides relaxation during moments of connection.
How aphrodisiac herbs work
When we peer past the shallow and superficial view, these plants are much more than just their good looks. Passionflower has a wonderfully calming effect on the nervous system and mind. The herb is used in teas, tinctures and infusions and has a pleasant, mild and slightly bitter taste. Passionflower also supports a healthy inflammatory response and healthy hormone balance.
Hawthorn berries are sweet, sour and astringent. They are often used in tinctures, teas, juices and syrups. The berries are rich in free radical scavengers and provide your body with defense against oxidative stress and environmental irritations. They nourish the nervous system and support vitality. They help to strengthen, nourish and strengthen the heart, and improve blood circulation.
Damiana has a long history in the field of aphrodisiacs and even has a popular liqueur or liqueur made in her honor, with the bottle shaped like a voluptuous woman. The leaves contain all the goodness and are often used in teas and tinctures. Damiana supports a healthy libido and promotes sexual desire. It strengthens the reproductive system, relieves impotence and frigidity, strengthens the reproductive organs and supports healthy testosterone and progesterone levels.
Cocoa contains a very special compound called Theobromine, which promotes healthy mood, energy levels and blood flow while supporting the cardiovascular system. The great thing about Cacao is that it can be used in endless ways. You can drink it, eat it, use it in tinctures and lotions, and even find it in edible body butters… wink, wink!
Integrating love herbs
When all these beautiful plants mix and mingle, we end up with bliss in a bottle. We still long for these plants, but thankfully they are now much more accessible in the modern world and as easy to obtain as swiping right. (Now there’s an app idea!) Using herbs during times of connection can really help with the ease and flow of your exchanges and can make your Valentine’s Day one for the books.
There are many ways to integrate herbs into your nights in a pleasant and tasty way. Steeping Damiana leaves and hawthorn berries in hot water and adding some honey or rose syrup creates a delicious and dreamy drinking tea. Raw cacao nibs can be added to ice cream and other desserts to add more texture and flavor.
WishGarden’s Liquid Bliss contains all the love herbs mentioned above in one bottle. It can be added to cocktails and mocktails or taken on its own to brighten up the evening. My favorite way to mix Liquid Bliss is to add it to a raspberry martini. It’s pink, it’s cute, it’s yummy and it gets everything going!
References
- Medical herbal medicine by David Hofman
- The energetic of western herbs by Peter Holmes
- The language of plants by Julia Graves
Photo credit: Benevolence Farm – Hawthorn Berries
Rebecca Younger strives to spark interest in herbs within her community through education and by integrating herbs into everyday life in exciting and innovative ways. She studied herbal medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver. She is a Customer Journey Representative at WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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