Libido

Be careful with Tongkat Ali

Lately there has been a lot of interest in the libido enhancing herb Tongkat ali.

According to a published EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) report on Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia), it was determined that its safety could not be established and it is therefore banned within the EU from sale!

Double risk

So it is not clear whether this herb is safe to use at all. Companies that do market it are also likely to fall short of other regulatory requirements such as testing for the amount of active ingredient and for contaminants. And nothing is known about possible drug interactions.

When using them, there is a good chance of using too low or too high a dosage, of ingesting unwanted heavy metals, PAHs or other toxic substances, and of possibly unpleasant side effects when taking medication.

Smeets & Graas - laws and regulations

Smeets & Graas is one of the few online stores in the Netherlands that is a member of the branche association NPN. A condition of that membership is that members are contractually bound to comply with relevant laws and regulations.

That's not always fun and easy but gives consumers the greatest guarantee of effective and safe supplements.

What is the libido?

Libido refers to the desire for sex. This varies greatly from person to person. For some, it is an important part of life while for others it is at most an afterthought.

Libido depends on several factors. For example, it can be affected by hormones, medication use, lifestyle and, of course, the attraction of your partner.

In addition to the primary necessities of life such as food, water and sleep, sex in a sense also belongs to this list. Its purpose is primarily procreation. From man's drive to survive, this is very important.

Hormones

The hormone testosterone in men provides a healthy libido. A deficiency of this can lead to a lowered libido as well as functional problems.

In women, the hormone estrogen provides libido. Estrogen is especially present during the fertile years. During menopause, the level of this hormone drops.

A cause of low libido may be due to insufficient production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. On the other hand, making love can then trigger dopamine production.

Aphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiacs are foods or supplements believed to increase sex drive or improve sexual performance. Well-known and commonly used herbs include Maca and Ginseng.

A word of caution about aphrodisiacs is in order: as also described above with Tongkat Ali, there are many products on the market that promise miracles. Many of these products are not permitted at all. Furthermore, the quality and effect of many products is unclear and sometimes downright dubious.

So be careful with aphrodisiacs. And the more that is promised the greater the chance of disappointment.

Our advice

Any recognized and safe remedy like Maca will not be able to work miracles on its own. A healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep, little/no alcohol and other substances) is a prerequisite for a healthy libido, especially in middle age.

And above all, don't forget your mental well-being. There is no better libido killer than a busy day full of appointments, arranging, hassle and stress.

Written by: Liesbeth Thoen
Reviewed and edited by: Peter Smeets

Updated: November 24, 2022