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The Sexual Herbal

Prescriptions for Enhancing Love and Passion

Published by Healing Arts Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

A self-help guide to herbal and natural remedies for lifelong sexual vitality

• Includes an in-depth catalog of herbs that boost sexual health

• Shows how to use aromatherapy, aphrodisiacs, and bedroom feng shui to enhance sexuality

• Provides herbal remedies for common ailments, such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infections

For thousands of years people have used herbs to nourish the body and boost sexual vitality in a safe, natural way. In The Sexual Herbal renowned herbalist Brigitte Mars offers a compendium of herbal, homeopathic, and other holistic remedies to help individuals and couples attract and maintain healthy love relationships and naturally treat sexual dysfunctions.

The author provides an in-depth catalog of herbs that promote sexual vitality and health, such as ginseng, licorice, and red raspberry leaf. She also offers recipes for aphrodisiac “superfoods” as well as herbal remedies for both men’s and women’s reproductive health issues--ranging from PMS, menopause, urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disorders to infertility and STDs. The book includes chapters on yoga and Taoist exercises, massage and acupressure techniques, and vitamins and their effects on men’s and women’s respective physiology as well as recipes for aromatherapy love potions, baths, and perfumes; advice on kissing, foreplay, afterplay, and sexual positions; and suggested feng shui for the bedroom. The author also offers remedies for coping with infidelity, healing a broken heart, finding a mate, and keeping your love alive.

Excerpt

Chapter 3

Herbs

Supporting Natural Sexual Vitality


Herbs offer a safe, natural way to nourish the body and boost sexual vitality. They are multifaceted, multidirectional, and multidimensional. A single herb can have many beneficial effects, some immediate, some long-range, some physical, and some emotional. Herbs can be directly healing, while they can also support the body’s own healing mechanisms. For thousands of years, millions of people have used herbs to improve health. That, in part, includes building sexual vigor, and nourishing reproductive health.
Herbs have wide-ranging effects, and they affect different people differently. They also tend to have a progressive effect; they work best when taken at an appropriate dosage over an appropriate length of time. So before using any herb as a health supplement, it’s a good idea to educate yourself about it. Look it up in at least three herbal health books, and compare the descriptions. Consider consulting with an herbalist. Most important, if you are taking any medications--prescription or over-the-counter--consult with your health care provider before beginning a program of herbal supplements. Herbs and drugs can interact strangely, possibly leading to a serious health risk.
Herbs can be prepared as teas, tinctures, and capsules. These preparations are easy to make at home. You can also find many premixed formulations at natural food stores and herb shops. Whether you make your own formulations or purchase commercial mixes, these time-tested botanicals are sure to spice up your love life!

Herbal Love Tonics

Every culture has a set of herbal favorites that nourish sexuality. Here’s a compilation of herbs from around the world that have served humanity pleasurably in both ancient and modern love potions. The herbs listed here have many more properties, but as this book is focused on sexuality, we are listing the actions most likely to affect the reproductive system. For a more complete listing of properties, check out my book The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine (Basic Health Publications, 2007).

Asparagus Root
Asparagus cochinchinensis (Chinese asparagus), A. lucidus,
A. racemosus (Indian asparagus)

Family
Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Etymology
The word asparagus comes from the Greek asparagos, which refers to tender shoots that can be consumed. Due to its phallic shape, the plant has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac, which can be seen in its etymology; the Ayurvedic name shatavari, for example, means “she who has one hundred husbands.”

Also Known As
Cantonese: tin dung
English: sparrowgrass, hundred-rooted vine, many-haired vine, longevity vine, sataver
French: asperge
Hindi: sahansarmuli, satavar, shatavri
Mandarin: tien men tong
Sanskrit: challagadda, shatavari
Spanish: esparrago

Part Used
Tuber

Physiological Effects
Aphrodisiac, brain tonic, demulcent, diuretic, female tonic, galactagogue, kidney yin tonic, nutritive, rejuvenative, and reproductive tonic

Medicinal Uses
Asparagus has been known as a supreme tonic since ancient times. The Taoist classic Embracing the Uncarved Block, written in AD 300 by Ko Hung, tells the story of a man named Tu Tze-wei, who drank asparagus root tea for many years and was able to have sexual relations with eighty wives and concubines, walk a distance of fifty miles a day, and attain the advanced age of 145. In general, it moistens and restores the entire system.
Asparagus root increases orgasmic ability, boosts sperm count, and nourishes the ovum. It is often used to treat erectile dysfunction, and it is excellent for women who have had hysterectomies. On the emotional side, asparagus fosters deep feelings of love and compassion.
Asparagus root is used to treat cystitis, dry skin, erectile dysfunction, female organ weakness, frigidity, herpes, infertility, low libido, low sperm count, menopause, poor memory, post-hysterectomy dryness, and vaginal dryness. It can be used to encourage healing during convalescence.

Constituents
Essential oil, steroidal glycoside (asparagoside), asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercitin, rutin), copper, iron, zinc, resin, tannin, mucilage

Energetic Correspondences
Flavor: sweet, bitter
Temperature: cool
Moisture: moist
Polarity: yin
Planet: Venus
Element: water

Dosage
Take 1 cup of tea or 30–40 drops of tincture three times daily.

Concerns
Safe when used appropriately.
The root is not recommended in cases of chronic diarrhea or cough with excessive clear phlegm.

Burdock
Arctium lappa, A. minus

Family

Asteraceae (Daisy Family)

Etymology
The genus name, Arctium, derives from the Greek arktos, “bear,” a reference to the shaggy burrs. The species name, lappa, is derived from a Greek word meaning “to seize,” in reference to the clinginess of the seeds. The common name burdock is derived from the French beurre, “butter,” and the English word dock, meaning “leaves”; French women would wrap their cakes of butter in leaves of burdock to transport it to the marketplace.

Also Known As
Cantonese: ngau gon ji
English: bardane, beggar’s buttons, clotburr, cockle buttons, gypsy rhubarb, happy major, hardock, hareburr, hurr burr, love leaves
French: bardane, rhubarbe du diable
German: klette
Italian: bardana, lappola
Japanese: gobo, goboshi
Mandarin: shu nian
Russian: lophuh, repeinik
Spanish: bardana

Parts Used
Root, seed, leaf (topically)

Physiological Effects
Root: adaptogen, adrenal tonic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, galactagogue, nutritive, rejuvenative

Medicinal Uses

In Chinese and Hawaiian cultures, burdock is considered an aphrodisiac.It helps one feel grounded and in touch with the body.
As an anti-inflammatory demulcent agent, burdock root soothes and clears internal heat. It improves the elimination of metabolic wastes through the liver, lymph glands, large intestines, lungs, kidneys, and skin. Burdock is used to treat candida, cystitis, gonorrhea, HIV, irritability, lumbago, premenstrual syndrome, prostate inflammation, syphilis, urinary inflammation, and uterine prolapse. It makes an excellent spring detoxification or fasting tea.

Constituents
Root: vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, polyacetylenes, chlorogenic acid, taraxosterol, arctigen, inulin, lactone, essential oil, flavonoids, tannin, mucilage, resin

Energetic Correspondences
Flavor: root--bitter; seed--pungent Temperature: cool Moisture: dry Polarity: yin Planet: Venus/Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto Element: water

Dosage
Take 1 cup of tea or 10–30 drops of tincture three times daily.

Concerns
Avoid burdock seeds during the first trimester of pregnancy, during the later stages of measles, and in cases of open sores.

About The Author

Brigitte Mars, AHG, is an herbalist and nutritional expert for more than fifty years, is a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and teaches herbal medicine at Naropa University. An international lecturer, she is the author of several books, including Addiction-Free Naturally, and the creator of the app iPlant. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Healing Arts Press (December 7, 2009)
  • Length: 512 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781594779824

Raves and Reviews

“There’s no one better than sexy, loving, healthy Brigitte Mars to guide us through the maze and amazement of the sexual herbal. Her wise and caring words will reach into your heart, your nerves, and your bedroom. Get ready for fun.”

– Susun S. Weed, author of the Wise Women Series

“Brigitte Mars is the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to healthy eating and healthy sex. I highly recommend her book for anyone wanting to learn more about a holistic approach to attaining more pure body pleasure and sexual ecstasy.”

– Annie Sprinkle, Ph.D., sexecologist and ecosexual

"What a gentle, candid, and revealing book. Brigitte really sets the scene for your most tender and loving experiences. Here you'll find many revelations about enhancing your sex, love, and health. Enlightening indeed!"

– Peter Ragnar, author of The Lifewave Experience to a New You!, March 2010

"Brigitte Mars is simply one of my favorite authors. She takes the practical and makes it poetic, the simple and makes it profound. She delights us as always in this her newest book on sexuality, by taking this ever engaging topic and sprinkling it throughout with spiritual revelations, practical advice, and heartfelt considerations. The Sexual Herbal is tops on my list of books on this topic and should be read by anyone interested in enhancing and understanding their sexuality."

– Rosemary Gladstar, Herbalist and author of Planting the Future, March 2010

"A comprehensive guide to have at your sensual fingertips, to support and nurture your sexual self! A great wealth of herbal knowledge with an equal amount of wisdom for well being, health, and a fulfilling love life."

– Diane Riley and Kerry Riley, authors of Tantric Secrets for Men, March 2010

"The Sexual Herbal is full of wonderful information for anyone on the path of love."

– Charles Muir, tantra master and co-author of Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving and Freeing the Fem

"Within the pages of The Sexual Herbal you will find just about everything you would want to know about healthy, intimate relationships. When utilizing many of the hot tips Brigitte provides, you will very likely find yourself having The Best Day Ever!"

– David Wolfe, author of The Sunfood Diet, March 2010

" . . . goes well beyond botany and does so very well. . . . The book's strong cover will make it perfect to use in special displays. It will work well paired with books on both tantra and sex magic. If you carry flower essences and essential oils, you might want to pull a few of those to display with the book, as well."

– Anna Jedrziewski, New Age Retailer, Feb 2010

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