15 Natural Aphrodisiacs & Simple Ways to Prepare Them

Plants have long been linked with fertility and sexuality. So why not use these natural aphrodisiacs to help attract your own pollinator?

15 Natural Aphrodisiacs & Simple Ways to Prepare Them

Plants might just be the ultimate exhibitionists. They display their reproductive organs in brightly colored, sweetly scented flowers. And that pollen that covers your car each spring? Well, maybe you shouldn’t think about that for too long.

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In any event, plants have been linked with fertility and sexuality since time immemorial. So why not use these natural aphrodisiacs to help attract your own pollinator? Now turn down the lights, put on some smooth jazz, and get out your plant identification guide. Because wildcrafting is about to get sexy.

Pre-Plant Possibilities

Remember that plants are just one tool in your toolbox. The first step is knowing your mate. For some women, a clean house will be a bigger turn-on than any herbal strategy could ever be. And women, don’t hint this need to your man. We are not known for our outstanding hint-taking ability. Consider sending him a picture of yourself in lingerie while holding a sign that says, “Clean the kitchen.” Food for thought.

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Okay. With that out of the way, let’s get to the plants. Please note that, depending on your area, some of these plants will be easier to get from an herbal retailer than from your backyard. Nobody lives near everything. Now let’s get out there and get dirty . . . from the plant harvesting, I mean.

Natural Aphrodisiacs: Flowers and DIY Perfume

It seems fitting to start with the basics. Besides the obvious bouquets and decorative flower-petal trails leading to the bedroom, you can use wild (or tame) flowers to create your own perfumes and colognes. Just avoid plants that have been sprayed with pesticides.

If You’ve Got 2 Weeks

The process for making this natural aphrodisiac is pretty much the same as making a medicinal tincture. Pick whatever flowers you like and add them to a glass jar. Then pour alcohol over them with at least an inch of liquid covering the herbs. Normally, I buy the cheapest alcohol I can for tinctures. But for this application, you might consider something with a more interesting scent. (Maybe a spiced rum?)

Close the lid and give it a good shake. Now store it in a cool, dark location for 2 weeks. Shake the jar each day. At the end of the 2 weeks, open the jar. It will smell strongly of alcohol. Don’t worry. Rub a little onto your skin, give it a few seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, and then give it a smell test.

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If the scent is too weak, you can let it sit longer, or strain out the old flowers and add fresh ones. If you’re happy with the results, just strain out the old flowers and rebottle it in a container with a spritzer top. Store it in a cool, dark location and it will keep for many years.

But why limit yourself to flowers? You can use any aromatic herb. Why not experiment with rosemary sprigs, cedar needles, wild strawberries, citrus rinds, or vanilla beans?

If You’ve Got 2 Minutes

In a pinch, essential oils can be used for this, too. And because they’re already extracted, you don’t have to wait 2 weeks. You don’t even really have to add alcohol. You just need a spritzer top for your oil bottle. But an alcohol/oil blend helps dilute the oil so you get more spritzes from your bottle.

Strategic Uses for Homemade Perfume

If you’re willing to get a little Pavlovian, homemade perfumes can also be used strategically.

Our sense of smell is directly connected to the emotion and memory centers of our brain. A good smell trigger can take you back decades to an exact moment in time, or dig up feelings from the past. With a little forethought, you can leverage that reaction.

First, you’ll need to craft a perfume that you’ve never used before. (This part is important. Neither you nor your partner should have a strong association surrounding its scent.) Save that bottle until you have a really special night planned. I’m talking about something that will rock your partner’s world. This is the night to use the new scent. Then don’t use it again until you have another intimate encounter planned.

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After a few repetitions of this, just opening the bottle may be enough to get you both antsy. You’ll begin to associate the smell with those good experiences. Some people use this strategy for their weddings, too, choosing a new scent to wear so it will always bring them back to that special day.

Herb-Infused Massage Oil Is a Natural Aphrodisiac

A nice herb-infused oil is a natural aphrodisiac that can be used in both innocent and intimate circumstances, and it makes a great alternative to petroleum-based products. Start with a base oil such as jojoba or coconut. Olive oil works, too, although you may find it to be a bit heavy.

The oil can be infused with aromatic or medicinal herbs and flowers. Or mix and match. Vanilla beans and lavender are a great combination. Honeysuckle and passionflower are good choices, too.

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You should avoid any plants that are toxic to ingest, even if you could normally apply them to your skin. Remember that these oils may be coming into contact with your intimate areas, which are more delicate and better at absorbing phytochemicals. You should also steer clear of strongly stimulating herbs like oregano or cayenne. That’s a mood killer right there!

If You’ve Got 2 Weeks

Place your herbs into a jar with an inch or 2 of air space at the top. Then cover them with your chosen oil, with the oil rising about an inch above the herbs. Now screw on a lid and give it a friendly shake. Close the bottle in a brown paper bag and leave it by a window where it can get some sun. Shake it up once a day for 2-3 weeks. Then strain the oil, and this natural aphrodisiac is ready to use.

If You’ve Got 2 Hours

Of course, you don’t always have 2-3 weeks. Your in-laws are only going to watch the kids for so long. So here’s the fast method: Put your oil and herbs in a double boiler and let them simmer until the oil absorbs the color and smell of the herbs. This may take anywhere from 1-5 hours. Now strain out the herbs, let the oil cool a bit (unless you’re into that kind of thing), and you’re good to go. If stored in a cool, dark location, your oil should stay good for at least a year.

If You’ve Got 2 Minutes

Okay. So maybe you don’t have even that much time. Here’s the quickie method. (That may have been a Freudian slip.) Take your base oil. Sprinkle in a few drops of essential oils and shake it up. There you go. Instant infused oil. It’s not exactly wildcrafting, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. And please make a wise oil choice. Some of them will light you up.

Herbal Baths as Natural Aphrodisiacs

You’re familiar with herbal tea. But did you know you can bathe in it, too? It’s true! And bath time can be a great transition from the hectic everyday affairs of life into a more relaxed and sensual setting. Beyond the psychological effects of a hot bath, herbal baths are real phytotherapy. Your skin is your largest absorption/elimination organ! Use it!

Fill a cloth bag with herbs and tie it over the bath spout. Then run hot water to create your very own herbal bath. You’ll get the best results from your herbs by running all hot water at first. You can balance the temperature by running cold water toward the end. And don’t forget that the herb bag can be used as a wash cloth to further infuse your body.

2 Formulas for Herbal Baths

Your choice of herbs is really up to you, but Rosemary Gladstar has two formulas you may want to try:

• For a more relaxing blend, use 2 parts chamomile, 2 parts lavender, 2 parts roses, and 1 part comfrey leaf.
• Or if you have young kids and the word “relax” is a synonym for “I’m going to immediately fall asleep,” you might prefer the stimulating blend. This one is 3 parts peppermint, 2 parts calendula, 1 part bay leaf or eucalyptus, 1 part rosemary, and 1 part sage.

Don’t forget to set the scene with rose petals floating on the water, dimmed lights, and unscented candles. (Scented candles are usually filled with synthetic chemicals. Yuck! Spray some of your homemade perfume around instead.) If the setting allows, you could also burn aromatic herbs to perfume the air. Just be sure to give this one a test run first. Choking on smoke is not romantic. This probably works best if you have one of those fancy outdoor bathtubs.

7 Plants That Get You Thorny

Here’s a list of 7 plants that promote sexual health and vitality.

First, I apologize for that terrible pun. Second, many of the plants listed here have been represented as being for only one gender. However, they very often have benefits for all of us. So don’t be afraid to try out the plants that are listed for your partner.

Magnolia Vine (Schisandra chinensis)

These red berries are a staple of Chinese herbal medicine, and are said to help with a wide array of conditions. For our purposes, I’ll mention that the fruit is traditionally used as a sexual tonic for men and women, and is reputed to improve sexual stamina in men.¹⁾Chevallier, Andrew. DK Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. New York: DK Pub., 2000.

Simmer a small handful of berries in a cup of water for 15 minutes. This concoction can be consumed once a day for an extended period, traditionally 100 days. Or you can just eat them.

While native to China, this plant has been imported into many temperate areas. Medicinal properties of native relatives are unconfirmed.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium)

The name Panax is derived from the word panacea, implying that the plant is a cure-all. According to Chinese medical tradition, Korean ginseng (Panax) restores the body’s vital energy, and promotes long life and health. And apparently some of that vital energy is directed to the male reproductive area.²⁾Bone, Kerry, and Simon Mills. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Elsevier, 2013.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) has cooling properties, while Panax has warming properties. Otherwise, they are used similarly.

Pine Pollen (Pinus spp.)

Could pine pollen give men a boost in the bedroom? Researchers have confirmed that this plant’s pollen contains testosterone.³⁾Šaden-Krehula, M., M. Tajić, and D. Kolbah. “Testosterone, Epitestosterone and Androstenedione in the Pollen of Scotch PineP. Silvestris L.” Experientia 27, no. 1 (1971): 108-09. doi:10.1007/bf02137770. While the research was done on the Scotch Pine, other pines may share this attribute and have traditionally been used in this way.

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The quantity of testosterone or testosterone-forming chemicals in the pine pollen is small and better suited for balancing your body than for becoming a ‘roided-out muscle beast. Still, taking pine pollen for a limited period is probably the safest route.

Saw Palmetto (Sabal serrulata)

This plant is common in the southeastern United States. Recently, the saw palmetto has gained fame as an herb for the prostate, however its berries have traditionally been used to promote the sexual vitality of both men and women.⁴⁾Šaden-Krehula, M., M. Tajić, and D. Kolbah. “Testosterone, Epitestosterone and Androstenedione in the Pollen of Scotch PineP. Silvestris L.” Experientia 27, no. 1 (1971): 108-09. doi:10.1007/bf02137770.

Commercial preparations are available, should this plant not grow in your area. But for those geographically fortunate individuals with access to the plants, you can harvest the berries yourself and use them in tincture form. You could also eat the berries fresh, but you should sample the flavor with a tiny nibble before popping one into your mouth.

Ginko (Ginko biloba) and Grapes (Vitis spp.)

Another native of China, Ginko trees have been welcomed into zones 3-8 in many parts of the world. So you might be wildcrafting in a neighbor’s yard, but that still counts. Ginko has antioxidant and microcirculatory-supporting properties which may aid in blood flow to “vital areas,” if you catch my meaning.⁵⁾Bone, Kerry, and Simon Mills. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Elsevier, 2013.

Grape seed could be used as an acceptable substitute. And don’t forget to make wine with the grapes, too. Wine is, of course, the original libido loosener. That’s two romance enhancers in one plant!

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Puncture Vine (Tribulus terrestris)

If you have this in your yard, you’ll know it. Thankfully, it has quite a lot to offer! Puncture vine helps to increase testosterone production in men, protects reproductive organs, improves fertility, acts as an aphrodisiac, and helps with erectile disfunction.⁶⁾Din, Sameh Fayek Gamalel, Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Salam, Mohamed Shokr Mohamed, Ahmed Ragab Ahmed, Ahmed Tarek Motawaa, Omar Ayman Saadeldin, and Ramzy Raafat Elnabarway. “Tribulus Terrestris versus Placebo in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Late-onset Hypogonadism: A Placebo-controlled Study.” Urologia Journal, 2018, 039156031880216. doi:10.1177/0391560318802160.⁷⁾Kumari, Mrinalini, and Poonam Singh. “Tribulus Terrestris Improves Metronidazole-induced Impaired Fertility in the Male Mice.” African Health Sciences 18, no. 3 (2018): 645. doi:10.4314/ahs.v18i3.22.⁸⁾Ma, Yiming, Zhicheng Guo, and Xiaohui Wang. “Tribulus Terrestris Extracts Alleviate Muscle Damage and Promote Anaerobic Performance of Trained Male Boxers and Its Mechanisms: Roles of Androgen, IGF-1, and IGF Binding Protein-3.” Journal of Sport and Health Science 6, no. 4 (2017): 474-81. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2015.12.003.⁹⁾Pavin, Natasha Frasson, Aryele Pinto Izaguirry, Melina Bucco Soares, Cristiano Chiapinotto Spiazzi, Andreas Sebastian Loureiro Mendez, Fábio Gallas Leivas, Daniela Dos Santos Brum, and Francielli Weber Santos Cibin. “Tribulus Terrestris Protects against Male Reproductive Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2018 (2018): 1-9. doi:10.1155/2018/5758191.¹⁰⁾ But puncture vine isn’t just for men. One study gave puncture vine to postmenopausal women and found that it increased their sexual satisfaction.¹¹⁾Tadayon, M., M. Shojaee, P. Afshari, E. Moghimipour, and MH Haghighizadeh. “The Effect of Hydro-alcohol Extract of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Satisfaction in Postmenopause Women: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial.” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 7, no. 5 (September 2018): 888-92. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_355_17.

The entire plant can be used. Some prefer the spiked fruit; others the leaf. The root can also be used. An average quantity might be 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried aerial parts per day. This is a plant that you can get too much of, so don’t go crazy with it. More is not always better.

What Else?

There’s so much that our wild plants have to offer here, there’s no way I could include everything. I didn’t even mention herbal beauty products! There’s a whole world of wonderful, wild plants out there. So be sure to let me know in the comments which of your favorites I left out.

Scott Sexton

Scott Sexton is a TGN Trailblazer, a highly experimental gardener, an unrelenting weed-eater, and a largely non-profit herbalist (much to his wife’s chagrin). When Scott is not teaching foraging classes, testing out theories in the garden, or grazing in the forest, he can be found at his Facebook page, “A Forager’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.”