Other Names: Potency Wood, Ptychopetalum olacoides, and Ptychopetalum uncinatum

Muira puama, is a small tree up to 15 feet in height native to the Brazilian Amazon. The bark and root are the primary parts of muira puama that are utilized. You may see muira puama spelled in many different ways, including mara puama, marapuama, and marapama.

Recently, muira puama has been gaining in popularity in the US where herbalists are using it for sexual enhancement, menstrual cramps and PMS, and central nervous system disorders.

Possible Side Effects
One of the most common side effects of muira puama when used in high doses is insomnia. This is because of the alertness muira puama produces.

Other names: Cowitch, Cowhage, Velvet Bean, Cow-itch, Buffalo bean, l-dopa

Mucuna Pruriens, one of the popular Ayurvedic herbs, is also known as velvet bean or cowhage. This herb contains L-Dopa, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Scientists and doctors in Western countries are beginning to seriously take a look at the potential benefits of the Mucuna pruriens herb in fertility and sexual enhancement.

Dopamine is a natural neurotransmitter that enhances sexual urge and interest. Mucuna Pruriens contains L-Dopa, the precursor to dopamine. Mucuna Pruriens has been known in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac herb. Users of this herb notice sexual enhancement within days.

Possible Side Effects
Increased body temperature, insomnia, and rapid heart beat is possible with high doses.

L-arginine is an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body.

L-Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) in the human body. In the 1990s, scientists discovered that not only is NO an essential compound that helps blood circulation, but it is important to normal sexual function in both men and women.

In women, higher blood flow makes clitoral and vaginal tissues more sensitive and responsive to sexual stimulation and helps increase the possibility of reaching orgasm.

Both men and women report that L-Arginine seems to increase their libido or desire for sex, and some also report that L-Arginine gives them greater endurance and stronger, more powerful orgasms.

Possible Side Effects
L-arginine may lower blood pressure. It may also result in indigestion, nausea, and headache. If you have a history of heart disease, consult your doctor before taking L-arginine. You should also talk with your doctor if you are diabetic since L-Arginine may increase blood sugar levels.

Other names: Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata

Saw palmetto grows naturally in the southeast United States, including Georgia, Mississippi, and particularly Florida.

The effects of saw palmetto are attributed solely to its ability to suppress the production of dihydrotestosterone or DHT from testosterone. Testosterone is a naturally occurring androgen which is needed by the body, while DHT is a more potent hormone produced from it. Testosterone is converted into DHT through an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase which is inhibited by saw palmetto.

Physicians have been prescribing saw palmetto as a reproductive stimulant to women for enhancing their sexual vitality, fertility, and to normalize irregular menstrual cycles.

Possible Side Effects
Saw Palmetto should be consumed with food and water since taking it on an empty stomach may cause upset stomach or nausea.

Other names: Lepidium meyenii, Peruvian ginseng, maka, mace, maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, ayuk willku, pepperweed

Maca is a hardy plant that grows at high altitudes in the Andean highlands of Peru. Related to the turnip, it has been used as a food and medicine by indigenous South Americans for more than 2000 years. Maca is a rich source of the essential minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron; it is also high in protein and amino acids. These are all beneficial for the wellbeing of women of all ages.

Maca has been used successfully by the native people of Peru for hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, fertility, and menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of energy, libido, and depression.

Many women use maca root supplements to help combat infertility as well. While there are few statistics available on the effectiveness of the treatment, the Australian magazine “Good Medicine” states that laboratory studies of rats have found that they had improved fertility after eating maca.

Maca is also considered effective in relieving menstrual symptoms. Since many of these symptoms seem to be directly related to the body’s inability to fully absorb the vitamins and minerals it needs, maca root’s antioxidant properties and hormone-balancing qualities are a good way to counteract that.

Possible Side Effects
Maca should not be consumed near bed time since it could cause insomnia.

Other names: Ren Shen, Asiatic ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Guigai, Japanese Ginseng, Korean Red ginseng, Ninjin, Panax schinseng, Red Ginseng, Seng, Oriental ginseng

Panax ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family of plants, which includes the closely related American ginseng and less similar Siberian ginseng. Panax ginseng commonly grows on mountain slopes and is usually harvested in the fall. The root of panax ginseng is used preferably from plants older than six years of age.

It is believed that Panax Ginseng works as a sexual energizer for women. Panax Ginseng can cause an effect similar to that of estrogen, by stimulating hormone production and related chemicals.

Possible Side Effects
In general Panax Ginseng is safe to use for individuals in good health. It can cause elevation in blood pressure, tremors, nervousness, headache, vomiting, insomnia, and nose bleeding. For individuals with heart disease use may cause falsely abnormal blood tests. Panax Ginseng should be avoided when taking aspirin, Warfarin/Coumadin, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, Phenelzine, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

Other names: Epimedium, Rowdy Lamb Herb, Barrenwort, Bishop’s Hat, Fairy Wings, or Yin Yang Huo.

Horny goat weed was discovered when a Chinese goat herder noticed increased sexual activity in his flock after they ingested the weed. Hence the name “Horny Goat Weed.”

Horny Goat Weed can stimulate sexual activity, the desire for sex, increase libido, and stimulate sensory nerves.

Because Horny Goat Weed may increase sensory nerves it means higher sensitivity for women, quicker to reach the point of ograms, with higher orgasm intensity.

Possible Side Effects
Restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue can occur if too much horny goat weed is consumed or the person taking the supplement is not used to it. If you experience any of these symptoms you should lesson the dosage or discontinue use.

Other names: Eurycoma longifolia, longjack. and Pasak Bumi

Tongkat Ali gets its name from the long twisted roots that are harvested for their medicinal value. The plant itself is a slow growing tree, taking up to twenty five years to mature. It has a slim trunk and grows up to ten meters in height under the rainforest canopy.

Tongkat Ali is a Southeast Asian botanical used traditionally to enhance energy levels, endurance and stamina, and to reduce occasional mental fatigue. Supports testosterone levels, general health and vitality, sexual drive in women, healthy energy levels and healthy blood circulation.

Possible Side Effects
Reported side effects include insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness.
Tongkat ali should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.