References

Methodology, References, and Sources

Long before the emergence of pharmaceutical drugs, people used medicinal plants to alleviate symptoms of numerous ailments. Cultures throughout the world and throughout history used herbs and plants for medicinal purposes. Clearly they were on to something as modern studies have also confirmed their medicinal effects. Today, there's a resurgence in herbal medicines and their powerful chemical elements are the subject of many scientific research studies. Herbal agents are being used for anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-tumor applications. And now, as an anti-aphrodisiac or an anaphrodisiac.

Our investigation looked into the effects of herbal medicines and supplementation on reducing sexual drive or libido. A multi-year journey led to the development of a powerful herbal male libido inhibiting product.

We consulted with herbologists, formulators, and specialists for research and recommendations for the right formula for Anaphro.
We researched a variety of herbs that have been traditionally understood to lower libido. Historical research has shown that through the centuries, certain plants and herbs have been recognized for their use in inhibiting libido. It is estimated that the majority of the world's population still relies on natural phytotherapy (foods, plants, herbs, etc.) as a major source of medicine.
Further research resulted in a systematic review of various databases and documents using the key words “anaphrodisiac, libido, sex drive, hyper-sexuality, hormones, testosterone, anti-androgen” and the like. Out of the hundreds of articles identified, the articles and references below were deemed to have relevance.
The inclusion criteria included describing the use of supplement, herbal medicine, or food that inhibited or reduced libido.
Some herbal medicines that stood out included Chasteberry, Hops, Licorice, Reishi, Skullcap, Green Tea, and Peppermint, among others.
A number of herbs and plants were discarded from consideration due to potentially harmful effects or lack of sufficient evidence.
We also looked at placebos and their effect.

Our researchers led us to the conclusion that certain herbal medicines may have an inhibitory effect on the libido. Below is a list of various sources that could help inform the reader in their own research.

Vitex Agnus Castus (Chasteberry)

Azadbakht, M., Baheddini, A., Shorideh, S., Naser Zadeh, A. (2005). Effect of Vitex Agnus-Castus L. Leaf and Fruit Flavonoidal Extracts on Serum Prolactin Concentration. (Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2005; Volume 4 , Number 16; Page(s) 56 To 61).
Merz, P.G., Gorkow, C., Schrödter, A., Rietbrock, S., Sieder, C., Loew, D., Dericks-Tan, J.S.E., Taubert, H.D. (1996). The Effects of a Special Agnus Castus Extract (BP1095E1) on Prolactin Secretion in Healthy Male Subjects. (Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 1996; 104(6):447–53. DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1211483).
Grant, N.N., Anawalt, B.D. (2002). Male Hormonal Contraception: An Update on Research Progress. (Treatments in Endocrinology. August 2002, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp 217–227).
Webster, D.E., He, Y., Chen, S.N., Pauli, G.F., Farnsworth, N.R., Wang, Z.J. (2011). Opioidergic Mechanisms Underlying the Actions of Vitex Agnus-Castus. (Biochemical Pharmacology, 2011 Jan 1; 81(1): 170–177. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.09.013).
Daniele, C., Thompson Coon, J., Pittler, M.H., Ernst, E. (2005). Vitex Agnus Castus: A Systematic Review of Adverse Events. (Drug Safety. Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Rome La Sapienza. 2005; 28(4):319–32).
Grant, P., Ramasamy, S. (2012). An Update on Plant Derived Anti-Androgens. (International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolis. 2012 Spring; 10(2): 497–502).
Nasri, S., Oryan, S., Haeri Rohani, A., Reza Amin, G., (2007). The Effects of Vitex Agnus Castus Extract and its Interaction with Dopaminergic System on LH and Testosterone in Male Mice. (Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 10: 2300-2307. DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2007.2300.2307).

Humulus lupulus (Hops)

Zanolia, P., Zavatti, M., Rivasia, M., Benellib, A., Avallone, R., Baraldi, M. (2009). Experimental Evidence of the Anaphrodisiac Activity of Humulus Lupulus L. in Naïve Male Rats. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 125, Issue 1, 17 August 2009, Pages 36-4.0 DOI: 10.1016/ j.jep.2009.06.018).
Farkas K. (1902) About the Physiological Effect of Some Constituents of Hops. [German: Über die physiologische Wirkung einiger Bestandtheile des Hopfens]. European Journal of Physiology. Volume 92, Issue 1-2, 18 September 1902, pp 61-80.
Koetter, U., Biendl, M. (2010) Hops Humulus lupulus - A Review of its Historic and Medicinal Uses. HerbalGram; American Botanical Council. 2010-08-01.
Milligan, S.R., Kalita, J.C., Pocock, V., Van De Kauter, V., Stevens, J.F., Deinzer, M.L., Rong, H., De Keukeleire, D. (2000). The endocrine activities of 8-prenylnaringenin and related hop (Humulus lupulus L.) flavonoids. (Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Endocrinology and Reproduction Research Group, King's College, 2000 Dec;85(12): 4912-5. DOI: 10.1210/ jcem.85.12.7168).
Overk, C.R., Yao, P., Chadwick, L.R., Nikolic, D., Sun, Y., Cuendet, M.A., Deng, Y., Hedayat, A.S., Pauli, G.F., Farnsworth, N.R., van Breemen, R.B., Bolton, J.L. (2005). Comparison of the in vitro estrogenic activities of compounds from hops (Humulus lupulus) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005 Aug 10;53(16):6246-53. DOI: 10.1021/jf050448p).
Wildwood, C., (2003). Mood Enhancing Plants. C.W. Daniel Company LTD, Random House UK. ISBN 97814464899562003.
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (2009). Hops Compound May Prevent Prostate Cancer. Newswise, December 2009.

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)

Grant, P., Ramasamy, S. (2012). An Update on Plant Derived Anti-Androgens. (International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2012 Spring; 10(2): 497-502).
Nahata, A., Dixit, V. (2012). Ganoderma Lucidum is an Inhibitor of Testosterone-Induced Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats. (Journal of Andrologia. Vol. 44, May 2012. pp 160-174).
Fujita, R., Liu, J., Shimizu, K., Konishi, F., Noda, K., Kumamoto, S., Ueda, C., Tajiri, H., Kaneko, S., Suimi, Y., Kondo, R. (2005) Anti-Androgenic Activities of Ganoderma Lucidum. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005;102(1):107-112. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.05.041).
Liu, J., Tamura, S., Kurashiki, K., Shimizu, K., Noda, K., Konishi, F., Kumamoto, S., Kondo, R. (2009) Anti-androgen effects of extracts and compounds from Ganoderma lucidum. (Chemistry & Biodiversity, Feb. 2009 6(2), pp 231-43. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200800019).

Camellia sinensis (Green Tea)

Chandra, A.K., Choudhury, S.H., De, N., Sarkar, M. (2011). Effect of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Extract on Morphological and Functional Changes in Adult Male Gonads of Albino Rats. (Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 49, September 2011, pp. 689-697).
Figueiroa, M.S., César, Vieira, J.S., Leite, D.S., Filho, R.C., Ferreira, F., Gouveia, P.S., Udrisar, D.P., Wanderley, M.I. (2009). Green Tea Polyphenols Inhibit Testosterone Production in Rat Leydig Cells. (Asian Journal of Andrology [30 Mar 2009, 11(3):362-370]. DOI: 10.1038/aja.2009.2).
Kao, Y.H., Hiipakka. R.A., Liao, S. (2000). Modulation of Endocrine Systems and Food Intake by Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate. (Endocrinology, Vol. 141, Issue 3, March 2000, pp 980-987. DOI:10.1210/endo.141.3.7368).
Grant P, Dworakowska D. (2012). Tea and Diabetes: The Laboratory and the Real World. In: Preedy V, editor. (Tea in Health & Disease Prevention. 1st ed. Elsevier Academic Press; 2012).
Grant, P., Ramasamy, S. (2012). An Update on Plant Derived Anti-Androgens. (International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2012 Spring; 10(2): 497-502). Ibid.

Glycyrriza Glabra (Licorice)

Armanini, D., Bonanni, G., Palermo, M. (1999). Reduction of Serum Testosterone in Men by Licorice. (New England Journal of Medicine, 1999; 341 (15):1158) DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199910073411515).
Somjen, D., Knoll, E., Vaya, J., Stern, N., Tamir, S. (2004). Estrogen-like Activity of Licorice Root Constituents: Glabridin and Glabrene, in Vascular Tissues in Vitro and in Vivo. (The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2004; 91(3):147–55. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.04.003).
Armanini, D., Bonanni, G., Mattarello, M.J., Fiore, C., Sartorato, P., Palermo, M. (2003). Licorice Consumption and Serum Testosterone in Healthy Man. (Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 2003 Sep;111(6):341-3).
Tamir, S., Eizenberg, M., Somjen, D., Izrael, S., Vaya, J. (2001). Estrogen-like activity of Glabrene and Other Constituents Isolated from Licorice Root. (The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2001;78(3):291–8).
Grant, P., Ramasamy, S. (2012). An Update on Plant Derived Anti-Androgens. (International Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2012 Spring; 10(2): 497–502. Ibid).
Bahmani, M., Rafieian Kopaei, M., Jelodari, M., Eftekhari, Z., Delfan, B., Zargaran, .,Forouzan, S. (2014). A Review of the Health Effects and Uses of Drugs of Plant Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) in Iran. (Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, DOI: 10.1016/S2222-1808(14)60742-8).
Armanini, D., Mattarello, M.J., Fiore, C., Bonanni, G., Scaroni, C., Sartorato, P., Palermo, M., (2004) . Licorice Reduces Serum Testosterone in Healthy Women. (Steroids, University of Padua. Italy 2004 Oct-Nov;69 (11-12):763-6).
Bone, K. (2005) Licorice and testosterone revisited. (Townsend Letter: Examiner of Alternative Medicine, Aug/Sept 2005, (abst) #265/266 p 50).
Kambara, T., Zhou, Y., Kawashima, Y., Kishida, N., Mizutani, K., Ikeda, T., Kameyama, K. (2003). A New Dermatological Availability of the Flavonoid Fraction from Licorice Root. (Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan, 2003 Volume 37 Issue 3 Pages 179-186). S
Bergner, P. (2014) Glycyrrhiza: Licorice Root and Testosterone. (Medical Herbalism Journal. 11(3):11-12).
Josephs, R.A., Guinn, J.S., Harper, M.L., Askari, F. (2001). Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrations. (The Lancet. Volume 358, ISSUE 9293, P1613-1614, November 10, 2001(9293):1613-4).
Sakamoto, K., Wakabayashi K.. (1988). Inhibitory Effect of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Testosterone Production in Rat Gonads. (Endocrinol. Japon. 1988, 35 (2), 333-342.)
Sannikka, E., Terho, P., Suominen, J., Santti, R. (1983). Testosterone Concentrations in Human Seminal Plasma and Saliva and its Correlation with Non-protein-Bound and Total Testosterone Levels in Serum. (The International Journal of Andrology. 1983 Aug;6 (4):319-30. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1983.tb00546)
Sigurjonsdottir, H.A., Axelson, M., Johannsson, G., Manhem, K., Nystrom, E., Wallerstedt, S. (2006). Liquorice in Moderate Doses Does Not Affect Sex Steroid Hormones of Biological Importance Although the Effect Differs Between the Genders. (Hormone Research. 2006;65(2):106-10.
Uchiumi, Y., Yamamoto, S, Mizutani, K. (2004). Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion. (Fragrance Journal. No. 3, Vol 32, pp 53-57. ISSN:0288-9803).
cf BBC News (2003.) Liquorice Risk to Men's Sex Life. Reported on 17 September, 2003 See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3112606.st.

Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

Uchiumi, Y., Yamamoto, S, Mizutani, K. (2004). Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion. (Fragrance Journal. No. 3, Vol 32, pp 53-57. ISSN:0288-9803)
Güney, M., Oral, B., Karahanli, N., Tamer, M. (2006). The Effect of Mentha Spicata Labiatae on Uterine Tissue in Rats. (Toxicology and Industrial Health 22(8):343-8 · September 2006, DOI: 10.1177/0748233706071738).
Akdogan, M., Ozguner, M., Kocak, A., Oncu, M., Cicek, E. (2004). Effects of Peppermint Teas on Plasma Testosterone, Follicle-stimulating Hormone, and Luteinizing Hormone Levels and Testicular Tissue in Rats. (Urology. 2004 Aug; 64(2): 394-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology. 2004.03.046)
Akdogan, M., Tamer, M., Cüre, E., Cüre, M.C., Köroglu, B.K., Delibas, N. (2007). Effect of Spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) Teas on Androgen Levels in Women with Hirsutism. (Phytotherapy Research. 2007 May;21(5):444-7. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2074).

Scutellaria baicalensis (Skullcap)

Zha, Q., Yang, J., Cu,i M.Y., Liu, J., Fang, Y., Yan, M., Qiu, W., Shang, H., Xu, Z., Yidiresi, R., Weng, J.K., Pluskal, T., Vigouroux, M., Steuernagel, B., Wei, Y.,Yang, L., Hu, Y., Chen, X.Y., Martin, C. (2019). The Reference Genome Sequence of Scutellaria baicalensis Provides Insights into the Evolution of Wogonin Biosynthesis. (Molecular Plant, April 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.molp. 2019.04.002).
Jin, .B.R., Chung, K.S., Kima, H.J., An, H.J. (2019). Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) Inhibits Inflammation and Proliferation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 235, 10 May 2019, Pages 481-488).

Leonurus Cardiaca (Mother's Wort)

Zava, D.T., Dollbaum, C.M., Blen, M. (1998). Estrogen and Progestin Bioactivity of Foods, Herbs, and Spices. (Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1998, Vol. 217, pp. 369-378.).
Miao, M.S., Guo, L., Tian, S. (2015). Effect of Motherwort Total Alkaloids on a Testosterone Propionate - Induced Acne: Mouse Model. (The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 25 (3 Suppl. 1 ) 2015 Special Issue Page: 1 - 4).

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