Episode: 47 - Natural Libido Boosters: Snake Oil or Science?

Are “natural libido boosters” the real deal, or just another marketing scam?
 In this episode of Taboo Talk Not Safe for Brunch, we dig into the truth behind all those so-called desire enhancers: green tea, ginseng, maca root, chili peppers, yoga, sleep, and more.

We talk placebo effects, body confidence, and how connection (and laughter) might be your best turn-on yet.

💋 No filters. No shame. Just the real talk on what fuels desire and what’s total BS.

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Transcript

Amber: [00:00:00] Libido, desire that spark that makes you want to do more than just fold laundry with your partner. It's one of those things that everyone notices when it's high and definitely when it's low. The tricky part, libido isn't some switch. You can just flip. Stress, sleep, diet, hormones. Life loves to mess with the dial, but the good news is there are natural ways to nudge it back up without sketchy pills or miracle potions from the gas station.

Today we're talking about the everyday stuff that actually supports your sex drive. What you sip, how you move, and even what's on your plate. Think of it as tuning up your desire while still living your life

Coralie: Welcome to Taboo Talks, not Safe for brunch where nothing is off the [00:01:00] table. 

I'm Coralie tuning in from Vancouver. My superpower is going deep down rabbit holes and getting to the real root of things. 

Amber: And I'm Amber. I'm based in Ontario. I'm proudly blunt, I cut through the fluff and get straight to what matters.

Vicki: I'm Vicki and I'm from Manitoba. My magic is creating real connection because intimacy starts with trust. 

Coralie: Grab your mimosa, your matcha, or whatever turns you on, and let's dive in.

Vicki: So libido isn't just about hormones. It's a mix of brain chemistry, body health, mood and stress levels, stress, sleep, diet, exercise and confidence. All play major roles in how much desire we feel. Libido naturally ebbs and flows. It's normal to have seasons of more or less drive and you know, low libido. It, it just doesn't mean that something's wrong. If you wanna boost, natural hacks can help. Desire is holistic, mental, physical, and emotional health all feed into [00:02:00] it. Have you guys ever noticed when your stress, or lack of sleep completely kills your vibes?

Coralie: Oh, a hundred percent. Yeah,

Amber: Absolutely.

Coralie: Stress is like there are no lady boners happening in these pants.

Vicki: Right. 

Amber: I mean, and it works both ways, right?

Vicki: Yeah, and I 

Coralie: would be like, yeah, I think I need that. He knows how to relieve stress

and honestly, 

Amber: on the stress level. 

Coralie: What is the cause of the stress

Vicki: Yeah, that part. 

Amber: bs, eh, that, that destresses, so yeah.

Vicki: Yeah, totally. Before we ca before we came on today, I was talking about how I like did, was doing so much and I felt like tingling in my face and I was super stressed and all I was thinking was, man, if I could just get some, this would just calm everything down before we record. 

Coralie: Totally. Well, I noticed too, like if I am really stressed and I make an effort to have an orgasm, my stress does go down. So, [00:03:00] you 

Vicki: How many times have we been in conversation and one of us is like, and we're like, listen girl, you need a few minutes.

Coralie: yeah. Go rub one 

Vicki: care of that point out. Alright, so do you guys feel your desire changes with the seasons or with your lifestyle habits? What do you think triggers it for you?

Coralie: Personally, I don't really notice anything seasonal. But definitely lifestyle habits. Like when I'm, you know, getting regular exercise, taking better care of myself, then definitely notice a peak in my libido.

Amber: lifestyle habits for sure. Like it's not a seasonal thing. Seasons changed the format.

Coralie: Right.

Vicki: true. I gotta be honest with you, spring is my time, guys.

Amber: Hey.

Vicki: I don't know what it is. It's like you're sort of emerging out of this hibernation coma, which I do in winter time, but I don't know. I love spring. There's something about it that just works for me.

Coralie: Well, it's mating season.[00:04:00] 

Vicki: Also that.

Amber: So let's just sip on this for a minute. Literally, we're gonna focus on drinkables, that boost circulation, energy, and even mood. We actually had, somebody that responded to one of our videos saying that green tea helps their libido, so I was like, oh, that's kind of interesting. , And that's on our list. And green tea actually contains l-theanine, which calms your focus, gives you that focus, that calming sensation, caffeine gives you a little energy, some boost, and antioxidants that improve blood flow, basically yoga in a mug.

Do you agree? Have you ever tried green tea to make this happen?

Coralie: Listen, I've tried everything and it, it don't work for me.

They're like, oh, try, try this thing. Try that. Like, yeah, no, I'm not. Yeah, no,

Amber: I, I mean, I think a lot of the things that we're gonna, we have a few [00:05:00] more drinks to talk about, but I think a lot of the things are a placebo, to be honest with you.

Coralie: Yeah.

Vicki: and I mean, I think that green tea gives you energy. I think that when I have enjoyed green tea, I definitely have noticed that I feel a little boost of energy and if that. Sort of creates the after effect with circulation, et cetera.

Then maybe I, I, I don't know that I've put it together.

Amber: Ginseng is another one. So linked to increased arousal and stamina in multiple studies. Who's studying this?

Coralie: I dunno, but that's one that I actually could see a possibility to just, and I can't think of the information off the top of my head, but I have seen stuff with ginseng and I think I've even seen it in some of the products that I've sold over the years where they've 

Vicki: I think so 

Coralie: products. Yeah.

Vicki: Yeah, I

definitely have used ginseng in the past. And I do believe that there was an increased. Arousal that sort of happened. I [00:06:00] was also in a space in my life where my arousal was extremely low,

Amber: Okay. Good to know. I just don't, I don't buy it. I think that, you know, some study comes out, says, ginseng's good, or This is good or that's good. And then all of a sudden people are like marketing experts and everything has ginseng because it's gonna boost your, you know, I, I, I, I'm not a believer. I'm gonna continue.

Coralie: Can I tell you what I just read about ginseng though.

Amber: I would love to know what you just read about ginseng and marketing.

Coralie: Yeah, no. So it wasn't a marking, but it was just saying how it works is, um, the active compounds called genocides, they help dilate arteries, which increases blood flow to the genital area. So, you know, anything that increases blood flow, it's gonna have an effect.

But is it going to be like, take me now, baby. I don't know about that.

Amber: The next one is Maka Root. A Peruvian route known as Nature's Viagra, so traditionally used to enhance sexual [00:07:00] desire. I've honestly, I've never heard of it, so I don't know.

Vicki: I have no frame of reference on this one either.

Yeah, 

Amber: do we get this? 

Coralie: I mean these are things, I think some of these ingredients or some of these, drinks show that these are things that people have been talking about since long before studies came out.

Amber: Right.

Coralie: like in ancient times, obviously they were trying to figure stuff out.

Maybe someone was going through a period where they just weren't feeling the love as much. And so I just find it fascinating, wow, people have been talking about this for thousands and thousands of years.

Vicki: Yeah, sure Have. I did a quick search, it looks like as easy as, your local grocery store, I'm not sure if you'd wanna do a little more, in depth research on where you wanted to, source that from, but interesting.

Coralie: Yeah, I don't say, any time you're gonna add something like this, talk to your doctor, because there's so many natural things that can interfere with medications that you take.

Vicki: Including the [00:08:00] ginseng that

Coralie: Mm-hmm.

Vicki: about. For sure. Talk to your doctor about ginseng before you take it.

Amber: Well, and that's the problem with, a lot of these things, there are, these fads that come out, like, do this, try this, take this. And then people I find will often go overboard. And then it's causing problems with other things, like you mentioned, like the medication and stuff that they might be taking.

So,

Vicki: Absolutely anything we, anytime we ingest something, right, we wanna be so conscious of what it is that we're ingesting

and how it might interact with something else we're doing.

Amber: Mm-hmm.

Coralie: really don't have here in Canada, regulation board for natural supplements the regulation board for the natural supplements just kind of goes on what that supplement company said in their studies. There's not like an independent person studying it, so it's really

important to be cautious and careful when you're looking at natural stuff.

Amber: So listen, your morning coffee, depending on what you put in, it can double as an aphrodisiac. You guys, what's your go-to morning drink? Are you drinking, uh, aphrodisiac inspired items? Are you caffeine all the way? What's going on?

Vicki: I am all [00:09:00] caffeine all the time.

Coralie: I am, kicking horse, coffee lover decaf every morning and some water.

Amber: I'm, I'm all about caffeine, so yeah. With Vicki.

Vicki: Okay. So let's talk about exercise as a natural libido booster. So cardio improves your circulation, which of course equals more blood flow to all the places that matter. I like that strength training. It boosts your testosterone, which can fuel your desire. And that's for everyone. Yoga and stretching really does lower stress. It increases your flexibility and it boosts, body confidence, which is something that of course can naturally increase your desire. Dance class or a partner workout, right? That can double his foreplay. I used to have a partner that loved it when we worked out together.

Things got interesting after each workout. That was fun. And then of course, people who exercise regularly report higher sexual satisfaction and desire, and that comes from the Journal of Sexual Medicine. My trainer that [00:10:00] I used to have, she did an entire, seminar on libido, increasing exercise.

I think I like this one. The idea of exercising your way to a higher libido. I like this one more than anything. So what do you think, what kind of body movement makes you feel sexy or confident in your body?

Coralie: Honestly, just anything like, not anything. But if I go for a walk. I feel good. I make a conscious effort because I got these short little legs and I walk from my knees like a little tiny baby horse. But if I go for a walk, I'm walking from my hips and if I walk with my husband, he is like, wow, you, as he'll notice 'cause you get the hip shake or like, when you walk with your upper legs. So, but yeah, I'm always dancing around the house or whatever, puttering and, you know, movement feels good. Any movement feels good.

Amber: Yeah, honestly, cardio, yoga, stretching, that kind of thing. Woo. Done. Yep, for sure.

Coralie: Yeah, but like I'm not gonna go on an elliptical for half an hour and be like, I feel,[00:11:00] 

Amber: No, no, no. I need a shower first.

Coralie: yeah. I'm talking just.

Vicki: Yeah, I think floor work, planks, any kind of hip thrusting, core exercises. That's the whole thing, guys.

I, 

Coralie: well.

Vicki: trying that. 

Coralie: There's some exercises too that women will orgasm from. I remember first hearing about this in the nineties because someone I knew there was, at the time, it was those workout outfits where they had the spandex shorts with the tight, tight G-string almost up it. And there was this specific move that when it was done, it would rub in the right ways. She'd be like, I love going to the gym. If 

Vicki: Yeah, it's not even 

Coralie: I'd go all the time,

Vicki: There's so much blood flow that goes to the area when you are working out. So you can be doing squats, you can be doing thrust, you can be doing stairs, there's so much blood flow that goes to the area. I like working out, [00:12:00] end of.

Coralie: tell you I'd work out more if that happened.

Vicki: Right. Totally.

Coralie: Okay, so let's talk about spicing it up using different herbs and flavors for desire. And how flavor and spices can spark mood and pleasure. So first of all, chili peppers, anything spicy, it's gonna create endorphins. It's gonna create circulation.

It's gonna feel really hot in your mouth. You know it's gonna, that can travel. You can feel the heat elsewhere. So if you're into spicy foods, that could be a trigger. As someone who is not into spicy foods, it just feels so unsexy. Like, oh, so I'm gonna. It's not running down my face hot. 

Vicki: I don't think it meant violent, spicy, but

Coralie: It doesn't have to be

violent, spicy for 

Amber: spicy does.

Coralie: Yeah.

Vicki: So funny. Yeah. I'm gonna hold on the ghost peppers. Thanks.

Coralie: Yeah. Cinnamon and nutmeg. So those have historically been used in love [00:13:00] potions and love spices to warm up the body and boost the blood flow. Those are very traditional things. Saffron, that one was shown in studies to reduce stress and gently enhance arousal. So all these things are just little, spices that you can use in your cooking and cook with your partner, cook together and add in these different bold flavors that you might not normally, feet spoonfeed each other, try this sauce. Oh look, it dropped on my booby, lick it off. Had some fun with it. I think that's gonna help set the tone and it's gonna be really playful. But I think cooking in the kitchen together is always a fun date. Whether or not it's the, you're getting aphrodisiacs from the spices, I think it definitely does create connection, which increases libido.

We don't wanna just eat for nutrition, we wanna eat for things that feel good and make us feel good. So add flavors that wake up your senses, whether it's any of those I listed or any that you can think of off the top of your head, like rosemary. For me, it doesn't turn me on, but man, it wakes me up.

I just become alive when I smell rosemary. I don't know why.

Vicki: Interesting.

Coralie: Yeah. So have you guys [00:14:00] ever noticed eating something spicy changes your mood or your energy?

Amber: No, I never, I have never, honestly, I am probably the worst for this episode because I don't believe in any of it.

Vicki: And then there's me. I want to believe in all of it.

Coralie: And I am like, once again, you know, the baby bear in the middle because I don't believe most of it, but some of it I could see scientifically how it might, but I do agree with Amber. I think most of it is placebo, but I also think if you think it works, it works and that's good enough, you know?

And if it creates connection with you and your partner when you're trying those things, then that's gonna increase your libido too.

Vicki: I think that's the part that I love most about what you were saying about, you know, spoonfeeding each other and have a taste of this. And I'll tell you right now, you look me in the eyes and hold a spoon up for me. Wow.

Coralie: Oh yeah.

Vicki: Why? I don't know. It's, [00:15:00] I just that easy. I don't

Coralie: And you're gonna make eye contact while they're putting the spoon in your mouth and Uhhuh

Vicki: That's the stuff

I think for me that I buy into the most. And you know, , I love flavor. So for me there's something warm and loving and exciting about sharing food and yeah. 

Coralie: Mm-hmm. 

Vicki: So yes, I guess I have noticed that eating not, maybe not something spicy, speci particularly, just maybe the situation's a little spicy.

I like that.

Coralie: Yeah.

Amber: So food is foreplay and, no, not the fun way, like whipped cream. All right. Nutrition and foods linked to libido, zinc, pumpkin seeds, oysters, nuts, support testosterone and sperm health,

Vicki: is that why men love oysters so much? What is with men's obsession with oysters? Maybe this is it.

Coralie: I thought it was 'cause they look like vaginas.

Vicki: [00:16:00] Slurping,

Amber: uh, magnesium, dark chocolate, leafy greens, relaxes muscles and supports energy. Omega threes think salmon, chia seeds. Improves circulation and mood. So busting the myth, aphrodisiac Foods. Don't magically turn you on, but they do support the system, that fuel desire. So I mean, that better sits with me in my brain where I'm like, okay, I'm gonna eat this salmon and all of a sudden I'm turned on.

No, this never happened. So

Coralie: Yeah, I think

the same thing. 

Amber: helps the system, I guess, get going and moving and in the right direction.

Vicki: Yeah, I think you're right. I think that it's the supporting actor in the scene.

Coralie: And I think it's one of those things too, like how we've talked about so many times where there's no one right answer for every person, but one person eats this one thing and maybe they do get this like boost, and so they're telling everyone this is the secret, but that's the secret for them, 

Vicki: Mm-hmm. 

Amber: right?

Yeah. Like the stamina. I think [00:17:00] it was, I think earlier I said boosted their libido, but it was actually, I think it was his stamina with the green tea or something like that. So either way, if it works for you, keep freaking doing it.

Coralie: Totally.

Amber: Really. Uh, so eat to fuel your pleasure. Your kitchen can be as sexy as your bedroom.

Have a date night. Have fun, have some, silly. Activities going on while you're cooking. But be careful if you're cooking like bacon and stuff, put your clothes back on

Vicki: Great. Good tip.

Amber: just from experience or not. I, I don't know.

Do you believe in aphrodisiac foods now that it's explained more, like, you know, it's not just gonna turn you on or No.

Coralie: I believe in exactly what you said, it supports the systems underneath. 'cause I do believe that different nutrients do that for different parts of our body.

Vicki: Yeah. And I think that the action within the delivery of said foods that's gonna be a deal maker.

Coralie: Right. And then we have [00:18:00] like associations too, right? Like we associate chocolate covered strawberries with romance, so

that might, you know what I mean? Anyways.

Vicki: Totally agree.

Okay. So let's talk a little bit about stress and sleep and confidence. Any kind of meditation, breath work, , therapy, it can free up that mental energy for intimacy. I think , that's something that I like to be in control of and it makes me feel in control. Sleep, of course, one bad night can tank your libido. Rest is just your the OG aphrodisiac, right? We need to get our rest. We need to feel like we have energy when we have not slept, we are no one's friend.

Right? 

Amber: is a section I could, I could really get into. I'm like, yes, yes, yes. This all helps with libido. Follow all of this and if the other things work, okay.

Vicki: Right, and it's in your control. I think that's the other part that I like about it,

is that this isn't just take this thing and then it's gonna do something to you. No, no, no, no. You can control this. This is something that's in [00:19:00] your wheelhouse. And of course, let's talk about confidence, feeling good in your body.

Lingerie, affirmations, movement. It can sort of flip that switch for desire. And I think, that's incredibly important. Our own confidence when we are feeling good, that feeling like we look good. Whatever that body looks like, whatever that brain looks like. If we are feeling a certain way, the rest of it just falls into place.

And I love, I love having that control. Libido isn't about just physical readiness, it's about your mental availability. If we're not in the space here, when the brain ain't right, the body ain't right. So what instantly boosts your confidence that makes you feel attractive, guys? What is it?

Coralie: for me, it's just my skincare routine always gives me confidence just taking care of my skin. It is just five minutes in the morning, five minutes at night. I just always feel better when my skin is taken care of. It's just always been my thing.

Amber: Yeah. I think just a cute outfit or even lingerie that'll do the trick even like [00:20:00] sexy bra panties, you know what I mean? You know, it's under there. It's definitely boosting the confidence.

Vicki: I love that too. For me, I think my confidence is boosted. You know, if I'm moving my body when I go for a

walk, when I hit the treadmill, when I play a game of golf, when I, whatever that is, I feel good when I'm moving. And I think all the. Capillaries are receiving what they need to receive in that time. Everything's moving. I like that. 

Coralie: Let's talk about partner connection, because communication can be a super awesome natural libido booster. So having an open dialogue with your partner, being able to talk about what feels good and what doesn't feel good, it's gonna reduce so much pressure, and we know pressure is stress.

Stress kills libido. So let's get rid of the pressure, open the mouths, playfulness in your relationship. Flirty texts, inside jokes, planning something funny, other, you know, looks where you can just like raise your eyebrow at your partner across a [00:21:00] crowded room and they're gonna know what you're thinking.

You know, those sort of things can really increase your libido, and feeling emotionally safe. Feeling heard, feeling respected. That is one of the strongest turnons to know that this person cares for me and I am safe a hundred percent of the time with this person. Huge turnon like connection is so much when it comes to libido.

Roswell, I'd say it's the majority of it. When you're in a partnered relationship that your connection is gonna be one of the biggest indicators into your libido. And sometimes words are the best aphrodisiac. I always say, the best thing you can do in the bedroom has to do with your mouth and I mean talking. So, because that is going to get you further than anything else you could do with your mouth. Fight me on it, I don't care.

Vicki: I ain't fighting you. 

Coralie: So do you guys find that emotional intimacy fuels physical intimacy?

Vicki: 100%.

Amber: Mm-hmm.

Vicki: I think that again, that when the brain is in it, the body's in it and vice versa.

Coralie: Yeah.

[00:22:00] What is one non-physical thing that your partner or a former partner does or did? That was like instant lady boner. I.

Vicki: The sex decompress. I love talking about sex outside of the bedroom. It's not physical. It's emotional, it's connective. It's figuring out what you liked, what you didn't like, what you wanna do, more of what you wanna try. I love that.

Amber: Uh, honestly, I think listening and like, especially to instructions.

No, but really somebody who really listens to you when you talk to them.

Vicki: Hmm.

Amber: Yeah.

Coralie: Yeah, I'm, I'm a simple girl. Like he's just put your hat on backwards while you're working. Ugh, take me away.

Vicki: That's funny.

Coralie: I literally have a photo of him right there. Wards.

Vicki: Yeah. I think that it's something different for everybody. I had a partner once, every time he put his hand down flat on a table. On the carpet, if he was sitting back, [00:23:00] like it didn't matter. When his hand went flat, my brain glitched. I don't know why it was a thing. Don't ask. I don't know.

Coralie: All right, brunch crew. Remember, whether it's food, movement, or connection, your desire deserves curiosity, not judgment. So take what works for you, leave the rest and keep it playful.

Speaker 4: Thanks for pulling up a seat at the Taboo Talk. Not Safe for Brunch Table. If today's chat made you laugh, think squirm, or all three. Do us a solid like follow and leave a review. It's basically the podcast world's version of a good tip. 

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Coralie: Brunch isn't just about the bites and bubbles, it's about showing up real raw and ready to talk about what really matters. So until next time, keep it bold, keep it curious, and definitely keep it not safe for brunch.