The word is out on Oxytocin, a hormone that is released during cuddling and sex. Less well known is the aphrodisiac herb Montanoa tomentosa (a.k.a. cihuapatli or Zoapatle). Montanoa has a long tradition as an libido booster in Mexico, and recent research has shown that it can enhance sexual function, and that it does so by mimicking Oxytocin.

Montanoa ('of the mountain') is a herb that is widely used in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Montanoa is used to help with childbirth, to promote lactation, and as an aphrodisiac. A recent study in mice showed that injections of Montanoa extract cause erections in male mice and faciliated ejaculation. When a chemical that blocks oxytocin was administered, Montanoa extract had no effect and the mice dicks went limp. PMID:16442762

An earlier study on the effects of Montanoa in rats found that the herbal extract increased sexual behavior in normal rats and older, sexually sluggish rats. The fact that it also increased sexual behavior in rats whose genitals were anesthetized led the researchers to conclude that Montanoa exerts its effects in the brain and/or spine, and that it was indeed an aphrodisiac. (PMID:15159142)

Oxytocin is involved in a number of activities in the body. It is the opposite of adrenaline in many ways - instead of invoking a 'fight or flight' response, it reduces evokes a 'befriend and tend' response. It reduces anxiety and specifically promotes social bonding. Women with unusually low levels of oxytocin (and animals that are administered oxytocin blockers) make terrible mothers - without oxytocin, they lose much of their maternal instincts.

Oxytocin is released in the brain when the nipples are stimulated, and oxytocin triggers a 'let-down' of milk reflex necessary for lactation. Other hormones (especially prolactin) are also needed, but the fact that Montanoa has traditionally been used as a galactogogue appears to be more than superstition.

The traditional use of Montanoa to ease difficult births is further circumstantial evidence that it contains oxytocin-like compounds. Modern doctors routinely administer oxytocin to induce labor, and they give oxytocin inhibitors to prevent premature labor.

Some species of this herb are used as a contraceptive, which raises obvious issues for anyone who may be pregnant or trying to get pregnant (or may later decide to have children). David Hoffman, a noted herbalist, has an article online that discusses the contraceptive potential of Montanoa. Studies have shown that Montanoa can reduce implantation of the embryo, reduce sperm motility, and possibly induce abortion or resorption of embryos. It appears that there is great variation among various species of Montanoa - M. tomentosa has relatively little effect on fertility, while M. frutescens is a powerful contraceptive. There may also be differences between cultivars of M. tomentosa.

Montanoa is not widely available in the United States - in fact, I haven't been able to find it. A petition to approve Montanoa as a food supplement was denied by the US FDA; no law specifically makes it illegal to grow, possess or sell Montanoa, although it cannot be added to food, candy, or otherwise called a food based on the concern it may interfere with fertility or have other detrimental effects.

Aphrodisiology's bottom line on Montanoa: At present, the risks from taking Montanoa are not well understood, and this libido-boosting herb is near impossible to obtain. But the biochemical and ethnobotanial research tells us that this plant contains a great deal of potential as an aphrodisiac. Montanoa tomentosa is definitely a plant to watch.