5 Aphrodisiac Plants & Ethnobotanicals to Spice Up Your Night

Throughout history, humans have traditionally used various aphrodisiac plants and botanicals to combat sexual dysfunction. Even centuries later, many of the same factors that disrupted the love-making of our ancestors — such as stress, anxiety, depression, and hormonal disorders — continue to cause difficulties in the bedroom. Although occasional sexual dysfunction is normal, frequent disturbances can cause partners to become dissatisfied or anxious.

Today, many people continue to rely on time-tested natural aphrodisiac herbs for sexual enhancement, despite the prominence of pharmaceutical-grade options. So, whether you’re looking to boost your sexual energy or spice up your night, here are five of the most popular and effective botanicals to help get you or your partner in the mood!

Our Favorite Natural Aphrodisiac Herbs & Ethnobotanicals

Blue Lotus

Blue lotus, or Nymphaea caerulea, is a water lily that grows in East Africa, South Asia, and Thailand. Blue lotus’s sexual enhancement properties were well-known by the Egyptians, who documented their use of the plant through art, most notably in the Turin Erotic Papyrus.

Today, science has highlighted that past cultures’ usage of Egyptian blue lotus for sexual applications wasn’t baseless. For starters, the plant contains alkaloids such as nuciferine and aporphine that provide a mood-boosting and relaxing aroma. However, when ingested, the body converts aporphine to apomorphine, a type of aporphine that can reduce erectile dysfunction by increasing arterial blood supply. Apomorphine is so effective for this purpose that a committee of specialists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended it as a treatment for impotence in 2000.

Studies have also confirmed apomorphine’s ability to reduce sexual dysfunction in males. One study found that apomorphine treatment resulted in a 49.4% increase in successful intercourse.

Muira Puama

Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum) is an Amazonian shrub or small tree. In South America, it has been used to address a broad range of ailments, such as upset stomachs, menstrual disorders, joint pain (rheumatism), and poor appetite. However, sexual enhancement is one of the most popular traditional applications of this aphrodisiac plant. In fact, the plant is known to indigenous populations as “potency wood.”

Although evidence for the herb’s natural aphrodisiac properties is limited, researchers have suggested that Muira Puama behaves like a “nerve stimulant” by increasing erection quality and heightening sexual sensation.

To create Muira Puama products, farmers harvest the tree’s bark and shred it into a coarse or fine powder. However, one of the most popular preparations is Muira Puama extract, which is a highly potent version of the standard-grade bark powder.

Kratom

Over the last few decades, fresh kratom — the powdered leaves of the Southeast Asian plant mitragyna speciosa — has become one of the most beloved botanicals in the western world. Although many users favor kratom for its versatile types, others have turned to the plant’s aroma to enhance their bedroom activities.

Evidence from kratom’s Southeast Asian regions of origin seems to confirm kratom’s use as an aphrodisiac plant. In a survey of kratom users in Northern Malaysia, one group of researchers found that 73.4–84.7% of surveyees reported “increased sexual desire” as a benefit of the plant’s aroma.

While scientists don’t have a definitive explanation for why kratom powder could be conducive to sexual activity, an increased libido could be a side effect of the plant’s stimulating and relaxing aromas. Unlike other plants and kratom alternatives on this list, kratom also comes in a variety of variants or “strains,” meaning that you’ll have a broader range of ways to potentially spice up your night. Check out our kratom guide to learn more and to buy kratom based on your needs!

Maca

Maca — botanical name Lepidium meyenii — is a plant native to South America. Known to some as “Peruvian ginseng,” the roots of the maca plant have been harvested, dried, and used for various applications throughout history.

Today, maca is popular as an aphrodisiac plant for male sexual enhancement. In a 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled study, researchers administered maca or a placebo to men between 21 and 56 years of age. At eight weeks of treatment, the men receiving maca demonstrated an increase in sexual desire. It’s also worth mentioning that serum testosterone and oestradiol levels were unaffected for men treated with maca and those treated with a placebo, potentially indicating a non-hormonal mechanism of action.

As a bonus, this natural aphrodisiac herb also has a naturally-rich, micro-nutritional content — a 28-gram serving contains high amounts of Vitamin C, copper, and moderate amounts of iron, potassium, and Vitamin B6.

Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa is a yellow-flowered plant in the daisy family. It’s native to Mexico and the majority of Central America and has an extensive history of use for preventing sexual dysfunction. However, like most botanicals used holistically and aphrodisiac plants, research on the effectiveness of Montanoa tomentosa’s medicinal applications is limited.

Nevertheless, preliminary supporting evidence for the plant’s properties is promising. To confirm the folkloric applications of Montanoa tomentosa, one research team conducted a study in which they administered aqueous crude extracts of the plant to sexually active male rats. They found that the plant facilitated sexual expression, significantly promoted mounting behavior in genitally anesthetized animals, and induced sexual behavior in non-copulating males, concluding that the plant does possess aphrodisiac properties. However, although Montanoa tomentosa successfully enhanced the sexual activity of rats, it’s possible that the plant’s effectiveness in humans could vary by comparison.

Awaken Your Sexuality with All-Natural Botanicals

Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up or a way to freshen up your bedroom routine, Kratora is your source for high-quality ethnobotanicals. Our team has scoured the earth for the purest and best sources of kratom, kratom alternatives, resulting in an expertly-curated inventory of nature’s finest offerings.

With every order, we’re proud to offer our customers:

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Shop our aphrodisiac plants today to receive same-day shipping on orders submitted before 3 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays (excluding holidays).

Please note that the US FDA has not approved kratom to be sold for human consumption, sold for external use only. None of the products sold on our website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous