Passionate plants: can herbs turn you on?

Herbal aphrodisiacs For as long as people have been making love, theyve been searching for a magic potion to help them do it better.

"Almost all cultural traditions in the world have favorite herbs that have a reputation for increasing libido and reversing impotence," says herbalist and author David Hoffmann, a member of Britains National Institute of Medical Herbalists. From ginseng to geraniums, plants have been brewed, broiled, mashed and powdered to provide loin-stirring elixirs for Casanova wannabes.

"Aztec Emperor Montezuma, for example, believed cocoa to be such a potent aphrodisiac that he reportedly drank several cups each day before visiting his harem." says Michael Castleman, author of The Healing Herbs. The drink Montezuma called chocolatl may well have roused his passions. Chocolate is rich in magnesium, a mineral that relaxes muscles and nourishes the sex glands. And this age-old Valentine favorite contains ample amounts of caffeine, which would have perked up the potentate, if nothing else.

Its true, food scientists say: we are what we eat. Herbs and other foods are packed with phytochemicals that can have profound effects on our moods and physiological functions. But is there a plant on the planet that can pump us up with passion? Sex expert Ruth S. Jacobowitz thinks so. "There are some herbal aphrodisiacs that may tone or stimulate our sexual organs," says Jacobowitz, author of 150 Most-Asked Questions About Mid-life Sex, Love & Intimacy.

In 1968, for example, researchers in Phoenix, Arizona, tested the libido-enhancing properties of Afrodex, a drug made from the bark of yohimbe, an evergreen tree native to Cameroon. African men traditionally have ingested the bark to fortify themselves before making love. Thats because chemicals in yohimbe bark cause genital blood vessels to dilate.

Before the study, the 21 men in the double-blind trial reported a weekly average of three erections and three orgasms. Then the men took Afrodex or a placebo. After four weeks, those in the placebo group reported 11 erections and eight orgasms a week

More research is needed before scientists can conclude that yohimbe, or any other herb, is capable of jump-starting our genitals. Herbs, nonetheless, can help us feel better and have more fun in bed.

"Herbs not only strengthen our systems, but they also can help to move a person into a state of greater vitality," says Hoffmann. "Sex can be a powerful expression of that vitality. So, in rather roundabout ways, herbs that help us get to that vitality space will act as aphrodisiacs."

Visit any health-food store and youll find a variety of herbs that have been used for centuries to pump up the love juices. If you take capsules, consume no more than the label recommends. To make herbal teas, steep one teaspoon of herb in one cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Drink up to three cups a day.

The herbs listed below are safe for consumption in moderation. But if you are pregnant, lactating or chronically ill, check with your doctor before trying them. Otherwise, light a candle, put the kettle on, settle back with your lover and experiment with an herbal brew. Who knows? You might get lucky.

Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca)
Native to tropical America, damiana is among the most popular of plant aphrodisiacs. Its also one of the safest to consume. So far researchers have identified no chemical compounds in damiana to substantiate reports of its love-inducing powers. Nonetheless, its been brewed for centuries by villagers in Mexico and other south-of-the-border countries. Women, in particular, are said to respond to damianas charms.