7 Herbs For Love: How To Make Your Own Love Potions | The Botanical Institute (2024)

For millennia, various herbs have been used to increase feelings of love and passion. This category of herbs is sought after for their stimulating, invigorating, and supportive properties.

Love potions are used to increase sexual desire, boost sensory sensitivity, and reduce mental tension. They are typically an herbal infusion that is stabilized with honey or alcohol. Different preparations use wine, brandy, and water to infuse herbs for attraction and love.

While love potions are often related to magic, their properties are biologically tangible. Spices for love are known to warm the body through increased circulation, improve libido, and reduce stress and anxiety so the mind and body can hold space for feelings of passion.

In this article, we’ll share herbs for love and offer various love potion recipes you can safely and confidently try at home. Click here for a list of our top recommended herb suppliers for use when making your own potions.

Love Potion Herbs:

Modern research shows that love herbs and herbal tinctures are rooted in science and herbal medicine. Many herbs used in traditional love potions have been clinically shown to support health.

In this article, we discuss herbs for love and the scientific evidence behind their love potion properties.

1. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)

Cinnamon is a spicy, sweet, and energetically warm herb used to increase passion by heating the body. It’s one of the most commonly used spices for love. This herb comes from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree species, which is a plant native to China and naturalized throughout Southeast Asia.

Many cultures see cinnamon as a symbol of strength, fertility, love, and passion due to its ability to increase blood flow. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), cinnamon is said to support the flow of yang energy (active/heat) throughout the body.

Along with its circulatory health benefits, research shows that cinnamon supplementation boosts testosterone (similar to the herb cistanche), which can support sperm production. This effect suggests that cinnamon can be used as an aphrodisiac (stimulates sexual desire). Its scent often invokes feelings of comfort which may support love and lust.

2. Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

Damiana is classically and popularly known as a powerful aphrodisiac. The leaves and stems of this small shrub are known to increase sexual activity, boost endurance, and heighten sensory sensitivity.
Damiana enjoys subtropical regions and can be found growing near the equator. The Mayans and Mexican natives also used and use damiana as a way to strengthen the nervous system. It was said to reduce anxiety and depression and boost low moods.

Modern research concludes that damiana supports both male and female reproductive systems by increasing testosterone levels and progesterone production. Modern reviews and animal studies explain that damiana’s active constituents support the health of reproductive organs and regulate hormone levels. The alkaloids in damiana are thought to have a testosterone-like effect on the body, which may support libido levels.

3. Rose (Rosa spp.)

The rose has been a global symbol of love for many centuries. Originally native to ancient Persia, rose is now naturalized across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The petals are used in various herbal preparations to reduce anxiety, support the heart, and restore balance to reproductive systems.

In TCM, this love herb helps with hormone imbalances and lack of libido and supports menstruation. Since antiquity, the scent of rose has been associated with love. The ancient Greeks used rose in perfumes, and the flower notoriously represents Aphrodite/Venus, the goddesses of love.

Various clinical and animal trials demonstrated that rose extracts and aromatherapy reduce stress and anxiety levels, increasing mood. These actions suggest that rose helps to clear mental and physical energetic barriers in the body, allowing for elevated feelings like love, passion, and attraction.

4. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

This short shrub is a plant native to the dry areas of India and Nepal and belongs to the nightshade or Solanaceae family. The fresh or dried root is considered an adaptogen, which means it works with the biological systems in the body that regulate stress.

In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a “rasayana” herb, which means it promotes vitality, rejuvenation, and power of body and mind. Ashwagandha is viewed as a symbol of longevity. Along with its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha has been shown to support sexual function and regulate hormones.

Clinical studies suggest that ashwagandha increases testosterone production, which could improve male sexual health. Other studies conclude that ashwagandha exhibits a significant stress-relieving effect. These two actions support ashwagandha’s categorization as an herb for love.

5. Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Another adaptogen, maca root, is considered as another herbs for love due to its brain-supportive and libido-enhancing properties. It grows high up in the Andes mountains and was originally a food source for native peoples. It’s thought to be an important herb for attraction.

As a love herb, traditional evidence and some clinical trials suggest that maca affects male and female reproductive health. One study found that for those with anti-depressant-induced low libido, maca increased sexual energy, especially for post-menopausal women.

Additional evidence demonstrates that maca’s love-supporting properties come from the herb’s adaptogenic effects. Maca’s ability to regulate stress supports increased stamina, mood, and energy levels.

Click here to for a helpful guide going over the best maca brands and supplements.

6. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

Hawthorn is a plant well-known for its powerful effects on the heart. This herb belongs to the Rosaceae (i.e. rose) family and is a traditional symbol of love, fertility, and protection. Hawthorn is considered a general cardiac tonic, supporting emotions such as love, lust, and heart pains.

In traditional Arab medicine, hawthorn is used for sexual weakness and heart disease, and many Native American communities use it as a female reproductive tonic. Hawthorn’s flowers, leaves, and berries (haws) are the part of this plant that are used therapeutically.

Clinical studies suggest that hawthorn strengthens the heart and reduces the risk of various heart conditions, like congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis (cholesterol build-up on artery walls). Since the heart is considered “the seat of emotions,” a stronger heart may support heart-related sensations of passion and love.

7. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

This potent, aromatic herb is revered for its ability to promote relaxation. Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae (i.e. mint) family and is historically viewed as a seductive herb and flower. The soothing scent of lavender is used to release tension in the body, which may support elevated mood and behavior.

Throughout traditional European cultures, lavender is used in baths, teas, and pillows to encourage calmness. The flowers of this plant are also used to make perfume and other cosmetic products as it is commonly considered a sensual and alluring smell.

Scientific studies recommend lavender to reduce nervous conditions, such as stress and anxiety, and lavender essential oils are often used in aromatherapy to reduce pain.

Love Potions

Below are a few love potion recipes that you can make at home.

Love Potion #1: Heart-Warming Tea

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup water
• 1 part damiana
• 1 part hawthorn berries
• ½ part rose petals
• ½ part ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. honey – I prefer raw, local honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Add 1 cup of boiling water to dried herbs.
2. Infuse for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Stir in honey after the infusion has cooled for 2-3 minutes – be sure to avoid liquid hotter than 115 degrees as this temperature and above breaks down beneficial enzymes.
4. Drink 1 cup of tea, 3x per/day to strengthen the heart and emotions.

Love Potion #2: Pleasure Latte

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup milk (plant-based optional)
• 1 Tbsp cacao
• ½ tsp. powdered maca
• ½ tsp. powdered ashwagandha

DIRECTIONS

1. Add herbs and cacao to milk.
2. Heat on low/medium while whisking in the herbs for 5 to 10 minutes, or until desired temperature.
3. Keep an eye on the milk to ensure it doesn’t boil.
4. Enjoy right before bed or in the morning.

Click here to for an additional maca latte recipe.

Love Potion #3: Love Connection Cordial

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ part dried damiana leaf
• ¼ part dried rose petals
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 80 or 100 proof alcohol (vodka and brandy work well)
• ½ part sweetener of choice (we use honey or maple syrup)
• 2 clean, sterilized jars

DIRECTIONS

1. Add dried herbs to one of the jars.
2. Pour alcohol over herbs into the jar.
3. Put a lid on the jar, label it with the contents, and store in a cool, dark place for one month.
4. Shake the jar occasionally and check if you need to add more alcohol. The alcohol should cover the ingredients by at least 2 inches.
5. After one month, strain the liquid from the herbs and pour into a fresh jar.
6. Add the sweetener and enjoy in the evening with a loved one.

Conclusion:

Love potions are deeply rooted in various ancient traditions across the globe. They have the potential to increase sexual health, support emotions, and regulate stress levels.

Consult a healthcare professional if you are considering any of the above herbal supplements for daily medicinal use.