What do you think of when you hear the word aphrodisiac? If you think it’s strictly sex, then we can’t wait to introduce you to these wonderful February herbs. Our apothecary lead, Nikki McClane, loves that aphrodisiacs go well beyond libido. They actually work with the nervous system and bring us into our heart centers where we are receptive to our own desire.
Damiana
Damiana has well-earned its reputation as an aphrodisiac. The flowering shrub has long been used in South and Central America to increase libido. Additionally, it relaxes the nervous system and allows the heart chakra to gently open. This unique combination of uplifting excitation and release make it an excellent herb for supporting mental health by helping to relieve anxiety and improve mood. Damiana is also known to bring sexual hormones into balance, which may increase desire, response, and stamina.
Looking for ways to incorporate damiana into your self-care routine? Dried leaves and stems are used in herbal teas. You can also find it in oil extracts, tonics, and homeopathic remedies. Stop into the apothecary to find out some of our favorite products featuring this feisty flower.
Rose
The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.
Paulo Coelho
Roses are basically synonymous with romance, but they have far better uses than sitting in a vase on your dining room table. If you receive roses from your Valentine this February, remember they are also a potent herb. The truth is, there are any number of ways to bring the rose into your life. With over 100 species, roses have been a popular mainstay for centuries due to their beautiful fragrance, which can be used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
The uses or rose are so varied and widespread that it’s hard to come to conclusions about its energetic properties. It has been used to support the heart, mind, stomach, sexual health, and analgesics. Packed with Vitamin C, rose hips are harvested in fall and used for their own purposes. There was even a time when the leaves of the rose were used by herbalists.
You’re most likely to find rose in cosmetic products like lotions and perfumes, but we encourage you to check out their culinary uses. Incorporate rose petals into heart-expanding teas or try chocolates and sweets that showcase this floral flavor. Just make sure you source your roses organically. Flowers grown for retail are often sprayed with chemicals.
Oatstraw
Did you know there are several incarnations of oats used by herbalists? Oatmeal may be a healthy and delicious breakfast, but oatstraw has uses your grandma may never have mentioned. This February, oatstraw is one herb to get to know a little differently.
Oatstraw is distinct from milky oats and is the name for the stem when harvested while green. As you might expect, it’s highly nutritious. This means it’s an excellent choice for supporting an overworked nervous system. It’s in this way that oatstraw supports sexual health. By calming and lubricating the body and supporting the health of the heart and cardiovascular system, oats clear a path toward a healthy and active sex life. Try tinctures, teas, and even baths featuring the dynamic and powerful oatstraw.
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