Helps increase and support healthy libido in women, improve cognitive function and/or memory in adults, relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (nervine/calming), as an adaptogen to increase energy and resistance to stress (e.g., in cases of stress-related mental or physical fatigue). Source of a vitamin and mineral that support biological functions that play a key role in maintaining good health.
Among its ingredients, we find:
Damiane
Damiana is a plant whose biological activity has been extensively studied. A review aimed to compile information published over the last ten years regarding its reported biological activities. Among the reported pharmacological effects, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and aphrodisiac activities appear most promising. 1
A study was conducted on women over the age of 21 who wanted to improve their sexual function. Of the 77 participants, 34 received a proprietary nutritional supplement consisting of ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana extracts, L-arginine, multivitamins, and minerals, and 43 received a placebo. After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the supplement group were more satisfied with their overall sex life, compared to 37.2% of the placebo group. There were notable improvements in sexual desire and reduced vaginal dryness, frequency of intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral sensation. There were no significant side effects observed. 2
Another study on sexual function in women of different menopausal statuses with this same supplement (containing L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, damiana, multivitamins and minerals.), but this time with 108 women aged 22 to 73 years who reported a lack of sexual desire. Of these 108 women, 59 reported being premenopausal, 20 perimenopausal and 29 postmenopausal. After 4 weeks, premenopausal women taking the supplement mainly reported a significant improvement in the level of sexual desire (72%; p = 0.03) and satisfaction with overall sexual life (68%; p = 0.007), compared to the placebo group. Frequency of sexual desire (60%; p = 0.05) and frequency of intercourse (56%, p = 0.01) also increased in premenopausal women. In perimenopausal women, primary improvements were reported in frequency of intercourse (86%; p = 0.002), satisfaction with intercourse (79%; p = 0.03), and vaginal dryness (64%; p = 0.03) compared with perimenopausal women who received placebo. Postmenopausal women primarily showed an increase in the level of sexual desire, with 51% showing an improvement compared with only 8% of women taking placebo. 3
1. Parra-Naranjo A, Delgado-Montemayor C, Salazar-Aranda R, Waksman-Minsky N. Bioactivity of the Genus Turnera: A Review of the Last 10 Years. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Nov 7;16(11):1573. doi:10.3390/ph16111573. PMID: 38004438; PMCID: PMC10675026.
2. Ito TY, Trant AS, Polan ML. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001 Oct-Dec;27(5):541-9. doi:10.1080/713846828. PMID: 11554217.
3. Ito TY, Polan ML, Whipple B, Trant AS. The enhancement of female sexual function with ArginMax, a nutritional supplement, among women differing in menopausal status. J Sex Marital Ther. 2006 Oct-Dec;32(5):369-78. doi:10.1080/00926230600834901. PMID: 16959660.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is known to help improve cognitive function and memory. It helps maintain peripheral circulation by increasing blood flow to the brain. 1 Ginkgo may be a natural aphrodisiac by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
The results of another study support the positive effect of Ginkgo biloba on the sexual function of postmenopausal women. It was conducted on 2 groups of 40 participants; one group received 120 to 240 mg of Ginkgo biloba daily, and the other took a placebo, for 30 days. Most areas of sexual function including sexual desire, sexual pleasure, orgasm, importance of sex in the last month and importance of sex compared to previous years were significantly improved in the group taking Ginkgo biloba. The mean score of total sexual function in the group taking Ginkgo biloba showed a significant difference from that of the placebo group (P < 0.05). 2
1. Valikovics A., 2007. Investigation of the effect of vinpocetine on cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions. Ideggyogy Sz, 60(7-8): 301-310
Patyar S. et al., 2011. Role of vinpocetine in cerebrovascular diseases. Pharmacol Rep, 63(3): 618-628
2. S. Taavoni, M. Amiri, H. Haghani, N. SeiedFatemi, EPA-0145 – Menopausal women's sexual function and use of ginkgo biloba: a randomized placebo-controlled trial, European Psychiatry, Volume 29, Supplement 1, 2014, Page 1, ISSN 0924-9338, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338(14)77617-5.
Shatavari
Shatavari is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic. This amazing herb is known as the "Queen of Herbs" and is considered the primary Ayurvedic rejuvenating tonic for women. This herb is said to be very effective in problems related to the female reproductive system.
Shatavari root has been described, among other things, as an emollient, cooling agent, nerve tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, rejuvenator, beneficial against female infertility, helping to increase libido, helping to heal inflammation of the sexual organs, and moistening even dry tissues of the sexual organs. Shatavari is also reported to be used in traditional Indian medicine to improve general health and may be beneficial for stress management. 1
1. Alok S, Jain SK, Verma A, Kumar M, Mahor A, Sabharwal M. Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): A review. Asian Pac J Too Say. 2013 Jun;3(3):242–51. doi: 10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60049-3. PMCID: PMC4027291. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027291/
Niacinamide (B3)
Niacin helps the body produce various sex hormones and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and other parts of the body. 1
One of the key factors in sexual function is adequate blood flow to the genitals. Without adequate blood flow, it can be difficult for women to experience sexual pleasure. Niacin has been shown to improve blood flow to the genitals, leading to improved sexual function and pleasure. 2
1. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-b3-niacin
2. https://www.allohealth.care/healthfeed/sex-education/niacin-benefits-sexually
Zinc
Deficiencies in this essential mineral can lead to a decrease in libido. A 2021 randomized controlled trial examined the effect of zinc on testosterone levels and sexual function in postmenopausal women whose serum zinc levels were below 62 mcg/dL. Researchers found that zinc supplementation in the intervention group significantly improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, vaginal wetness, pain during intercourse, and overall sexual function compared to the control group. 1
1. Mazaheri Nia L, Iravani M, Abedi P, Cheraghian B. Effect of Zinc on Testosterone Levels and Sexual Function of Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Marital Ther. 2021;47(8):804-813. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1957732. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 34311679.
Tribulus
Tribulus terrestris was tested in a study designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate its safety and efficacy in 67 women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder during their fertile years. Two groups were randomly assigned to Tribulus terrestris extract (7.5 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks. Thirty women in the placebo group and 30 women in the Tribulus terrestris group completed the study. Desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were measured at baseline and 4 weeks after the end of treatment using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
At the end of 4 weeks, patients in the Tribulus terrestris group had experienced significant improvements in their total FSFI (p < 0.001), desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p = 0.037), lubrication (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p < 0.001), and pain (p = 0.041) domains of the FSFI. Tribulus terrestris has therefore been shown to safely and effectively improve desire in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. 1
A qualitative-quantitative study based on hospital records of female patients of reproductive age with sexual dysfunction treated with 250 mg of Tribulus terrestris extract (1 tablet three times daily for 90 days) concluded that Tribulus is safe and effective in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. 2
1. Akhtari E, Raisi F, Keshavarz M, Hosseini H, Sohrabvand F, Bioos S, Kamalinejad M, Ghobadi A. Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo - controlled study. Daru. 2014 Apr 28;22(1):40. doi:10.1186/2008-2231-22-40. PMID: 24773615; PMCID: PMC4045980.
2. Gama CR, Lasmar R, Gama GF, Abreu CS, Nunes CP, Geller M, Oliveira L, Santos A. Clinical Assessment of Tribulus terrestris Extract in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction. Clin Med Insights Womens Health. 2014 Dec 22; 7:45-50. doi: 10.4137/CMWH.S17853. PMID: 25574150; PMCID: PMC4275110.
Fenugreek
A small study examined the effects of a daily dose of 600 mg of fenugreek extract in women who reported a decrease in libido. The results of the study showed a significant increase in sexual desire and arousal in the fenugreek group at the end of the 8-week study, compared to the placebo group. 1
In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it was observed in the group taking Fenugreek at a dose of 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days, that a significant improvement in somatic, psychological and urogenital scores in this group, particularly for hot flashes (25.9%), night sweats (26.5%), depression (31.8%) and insomnia (21.6%). Thus, Fenugreek could be a potential natural agent for the management of postmenopausal discomforts and should be explored in future studies. 2
1. Rao A, Steels E, Beccaria G, Inder WJ, Vitetta L. Influence of a Specialized Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract (Libifem), on Testosterone, Estradiol and Sexual Function in Healthy Menstruating Women, a Randomized Placebo Controlled Study. Phytother Res. 2015 Aug;29(8):1123-30. doi:10.1002/ptr.5355. Epub 2015 Apr 24. PMID: 25914334.
2. Khanna A, John F, Das S, Thomas J, Rao J, Maliakel B, Im K. Efficacy of a novel extract of fenugreek seeds in alleviating vasomotor symptoms and depression in perimenopausal women: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Food Biochem. 2020 Dec;44(12): e13507. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13507. Epub 2020 Oct 6. PMID: 33025616.menopausal symptoms. Electron Physician. 2017 Nov 25;9(11):5826-5833. doi:10.19082/5826. PMID: 29403626; PMCID: PMC5783135.
Note: Hyperlinks to other sites are not updated continuously. It is possible that a link may no longer be found. Please use the search tools to find the desired information.
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained in this article or letter is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified healthcare professional is strongly recommended.
Leave a comment