Summer Lovin'

Summer breaks provide plenty of moments for sharing, relaxing and… getting close but what if your libido has taken an early holiday. Here’s how to boost that loving feeling.

Loss of sex drive is more common than you might think– usually because people don’t talk about it much.  But while it’s quite normal to go off sex from time to time, saying no every night and not addressing the subject can cause real problems, especially on holiday.

Stress, anxiety, tiredness and depression are common culprits and some prescription medicines can knock your libido too – as can PMT and hormonal ups and downs, especially around the time of the menopause.

 In men, ‘brewer’s droop’ is not only caused by drinking too much alcohol, but also by a lack of testosterone and (particularly as men get older), reduced blood supply to the penis.  But it is not all bad news. There are plenty of herbs that can help to boost desire.

Lift your spirits

Feeling down in the dumps is guaranteed to put you off sex.  St John’s wort is one herb that can help to lift low mood, even in cases of moderate depression.  It is also good for anxiety and has been shown to help re-establish good sleep patterns. At least one trial using St John’s wort in pre- and post-menopausal women found that those taking a standardised extract of the herb felt sexier and more confident because they were happier in themselves.  They were more inclined to initiate sex with their partners, and to become more adventurous in bed as a result.

Beat stress

A great stress-buster is Siberian ginseng.  It helps support the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ hormones that go into overdrive if stress becomes an on-going reaction to everyday tensions and worry.  Ginseng can give your energy a boost too, helping you to cope better with life’s ups and downs, as well as giving you more staying power at times when you might otherwise tire more easily! 

Worry not

Taking a low, day-time dose of Valerian – either alongside soothing lemon balm or St John’s wort – can be useful if you find yourself worrying needlessly, or getting things out of proportion.  How can you enjoy yourself if you can’t relax?

Boost circulation

Gingko biloba improves blood flow to the extremities.  It increases the amount of blood and energy-giving oxygen reaching the fingertips and toes, as well as the genital areas of both men and women.  It can help a man achieve and sustain an erection, particularly if this is difficult because arteries and blood vessels in the penis have narrowed.  Ginkgo’s other plus point is its positive effect on nerves and the nervous system.

Help those hormones

Black cohosh and agnus castus can help stabilise hormone levels as well as reducing hot flushes and relieving vaginal dryness, making sex more pleasurable.  Contrarily, agnus castus was known by medieval monks as ‘chasteberry’ because they thought it would help them suppress feelings of sexual desire; in women, however, it is now known to increase production of progesterone and to improve fertility.

Get frisky

The benefits of aptly named horny goat weed are said to have first been noted by the Ancient Chinese, who realised that flocks of goats became friskier after eating the plant.  It is thought to be a potent aphrodisiac, with some reports suggesting it could be as helpful as the most popularly prescribed medicines for men with impotence problems.  Extracts appear to work by increasing blood pressure in and around the penis.

 PASSION BOOSTERS

• Cut the caffeine late at night.  It can rev you up if you’re already worked-up, making you less likely to be in the mood for love. Sip camomile tea instead if you’re thirsty.
• Stub it out.  Smoking is not only a turn-off for most non-smokers but it also damages blood vessels and nerves in the extremities, which in the long run can affect performance in the bedroom.
• Tone up to turn on.  Regular exercise is great for improving body-confidence, circulation and stamina.  And feeling and looking fit rates high in the attraction stakes.
• Learn to relax.  Worry causes stress, which can in turn lead to anger and frustration when expectations under the duvet aren’t fulfilled.  Try deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves, and leave your working day at the office, where it belongs.
• Don’t think about yourself.  Companionship and understanding are as important as sex in any relationship.  Concentrate on pleasing your partner and you could be surprised by just how aroused you feel too.

St John’s wort is found in Karma – a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly low mood and mild anxiety based on traditional use only.