Reclaiming Desire – Buyer Beware
Before concluding our discussion of herbal aphrodisiacs, we must mention Avlimil, an herbal formula that is aggressively marketed on radio and TV.
The ads cleverly compare Avlimil with Viagra by saying that women now have their own “little blue pill,” just as men do. They also urge potential customers to ask their doctors about Avlimil, which implies that the supplement is available only by prescription and, therefore, has been approved by the FDA. Unfortunately, neither is the case.
As an herbal supplement, Avlimil is not regulated by the FDA. And if it has been studied, the research has yet to appear in any peer-reviewed medical journal.
Avlimil contains a blend of sage, red raspberry leaf, kudzu root, red clover, capsicum pepper, licorice root, bayberry fruit, damiana, valerian root, ginger, and black cohosh.
Though damiana may have aphrodisiac properties, there is no evidence that the combination of herbs enhances desire, arousal, or orgasm, as the manufacturers claim. And it’s very expensive — $55 for a 30-day supply!
Reprinted from: Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido by Andrew Goldstein, M.D., and Marianne Brandon, Ph.D. © 2004 by Andrew Goldstein, M.D., and Marianne Brandon, Ph.D. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold.
