A strong ginger tea, a few drops of ylang-ylang in the bath, a maca supplement routine, a good night's sleep, or a sensual massage for two: old-fashioned tips to boost libido are everywhere. And a surprising number of them actually work!
Here's a roundup of natural ways to reawaken your libido, whether you identify as a woman, a man, or a non-binary person.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Old-fashioned tips for boosting libido mostly rely on aphrodisiac plants like ginger, maca, ginseng, and ylang-ylang.
- Lifestyle habits play a full part in sexual well-being.
- Some remedies differ depending on whether you're targeting female or male libido.
- Natural doesn't mean risk-free. Plants have their contraindications, and a healthcare professional's advice is always the safe move when in doubt.
What are the best old-fashioned remedies for female libido?
For women, desire plays out in the body just as much as in the mind. Traditional remedies lean on plants that support circulation, alongside rituals that invite you to let go and relax.
Plants that awaken female desire
Ginseng tops the list. Used for centuries in Chinese medicine to support vitality, it has shown real benefits for female sexual function. A clinical trial in menopausal women measured a significant improvement in desire and satisfaction[1].
Ginger is the other classic. Warming and stimulating, it boosts blood circulation and heightens sensation. Grandmothers used to drink it as a tea; today you'll also find it applied to the skin, for example in an aphrodisiac ginger massage oil, for a warming effect during a massage for two.
Saffron, dark chocolate rich in cocoa, and damiana, a Central American plant, round out the list, blending mood-boosting effects with aphrodisiac tradition.
Good to know
The word "aphrodisiac" comes straight from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and desire. In reaching for plants to rekindle the flame, our grandmothers were unknowingly paying tribute to Greek mythology.
Essential oils and baths: rituals of letting go
Ylang-ylang and bergamot are well known for their relaxing, sensual qualities. Diffused in the air, added to a warm bath, or diluted in a carrier oil for massage, they calm the mind and awaken the senses.
A warm bath ritual remains one of the most effective remedies of all. A few drops of ylang-ylang, soft lighting, a gentle playlist... releasing the day's tension sets the stage for desire far better than any pill could!
Self-knowledge: a driver of female desire
Female desire thrives on self-knowledge. Taking the time to explore your body and what brings you pleasure remains one of the best levers, as our guide on female masturbation explains. An orgasmic gel can heighten sensation and enrich your exploration of pleasure.
What are the best old-fashioned remedies for male libido?
For men, traditional remedies mostly target energy, circulation, and testosterone support. A handful of plants keep coming up, generation after generation.
Tonic plants for male libido
Maca, an Andean root nicknamed "Peruvian ginseng," is the most studied. A clinical trial showed that a several-week course significantly increased sexual desire, without changing hormone levels[2]. So maca's effect works through pathways other than testosterone alone.
Tribulus, used in Ayurvedic medicine, is traditionally associated with supporting male vigor. Muira puama, sometimes called Amazonian "potency wood," is regarded as a sexual tonic, while ginseng and eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) help the body cope with stress and fatigue, two well-known enemies of desire.
Tonic plants like maca or tribulus call for patience, though. They're slow-acting remedies, with effects that show up after two to three weeks of regular use, never after a single evening.
Zinc and diet for testosterone support
Ginger also supports male libido through its effect on circulation, as do nuts like almonds and walnuts, which are rich in zinc, a mineral that helps maintain normal testosterone levels. Our grandmothers didn't know the science behind it, but their daily handful of almonds was already doing the job!
Sleep: an ally for male libido
Sleep is the most underrated remedy of all. Testosterone is largely produced at night, during deep sleep. Getting good rest remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to support male libido.
What daily habits support libido, according to grandma's wisdom?
Beyond plants, certain habits benefit everyone's desire, whether female or male. Our grandmothers understood this instinctively, long before science confirmed the link between lifestyle and desire.
- Get good sleep and move regularly, since physical activity improves circulation and releases endorphins that support desire.
- Eat a balanced diet, favoring foods known to be stimulating, like seafood, avocado, leafy greens, and dark chocolate.
- Cut back on alcohol and tobacco, which slow circulation and sexual responsiveness.
- Tame stress through breathing exercises, yoga, or a bath with essential oils, since cortisol is desire's sworn enemy.
- Nurture closeness with your partner: talking about your desires, breaking the routine, and massaging each other matter just as much as any plant.
To go further into natural ingredients applied to the skin, our dedicated page on natural ingredients in our care products covers the benefits of ginger, bergamot, and sandalwood in more depth.
That said, natural doesn't mean harmless. Ginger isn't recommended alongside blood-thinning medication, high doses of cinnamon can strain the liver, and plants like maca, tribulus, or damiana are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you're on medication, managing a health condition, or dealing with a persistent drop in desire, always ask a healthcare professional for advice.
FAQ
What's the best old-fashioned tip for boosting libido?
Ginger is the most universally agreed-upon remedy, since it stimulates circulation in both women and men. That said, the best tip is always the one that addresses your personal cause: stress, fatigue, and routine each call for a different response.
Do these old-fashioned libido remedies actually work?
Some plants, like maca or ginseng, have encouraging clinical data behind them, even if the effects remain modest. Others rely mainly on tradition and ritual, whose calming effect has its own value.
Do the tips differ between women and men?
Partly, yes. Female libido responds well to rituals of letting go and essential oils like ylang-ylang, while male libido relies more on tonic plants like maca or tribulus, and on good sleep.
Sources
- Ghorbani Z. et al., The effect of ginseng on sexual dysfunction in menopausal women: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2019.
- Gonzales G. F. et al., Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on sexual desire in adult healthy men, Andrologia, 2002.
- Larousse, definition and origin of the word "aphrodisiac" (French).
