The short answer: Women's vitality blends often combine maca, tribulus, ginkgo, dong quai and ashwagandha. Small studies hint that maca and tribulus may help sexual function, but the evidence is limited and low quality. Ginkgo and dong quai carry real cautions: both may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners, and neither is for pregnancy.
Maca
Maca is an Andean root in the mustard family. A review of four small trials found limited evidence that it may improve sexual function, including one trial in healthy women after menopause. The studies were too few and too small to draw firm conclusions [1].
Tribulus
A review of five trials (279 women) found higher sexual function scores after 1 to 3 months of tribulus, with no serious side effects reported. But the certainty of the evidence was very low, meaning future studies are likely to change the picture [2].
Ginkgo
- Ginkgo has not been shown to be effective for any condition it has been studied for, including memory in healthy people [3].
- Ginkgo leaf extract is likely safe for most adults in moderate amounts. Common side effects are dizziness, stomach upset and headache [3].
- Ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking blood thinners such as warfarin, and it may be unsafe in pregnancy [3].
Dong quai
- Dong quai is a Chinese herb traditionally used for menstrual cramps, irregular periods and menopause symptoms [4].
- It contains natural coumarin compounds. In a published case, a woman on warfarin had her blood-clotting test more than double after four weeks of dong quai, returning to normal after she stopped [4].
- Some of its compounds can make skin more sensitive to the sun [4].
Ashwagandha
Many blends also include ashwagandha. See our ashwagandha guide for what the research shows and who should skip it.
Who should check with a doctor first
- Anyone taking warfarin or another blood thinner, or with a bleeding disorder [3][4].
- Anyone pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding [3].
- Anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition, thyroid condition, or taking prescription medicine.
- Stop herbal blends before surgery and tell your surgeon what you take.
Female Enhancement
B vitamins, zinc and L-arginine with epimedium, tribulus, catuaba, dong quai, ginkgo, Asian ginseng, damiana, ashwagandha, ginger, maca, muira puama and BioPerine. Label use: two capsules daily, no more than four. For adult use only. 60 capsules. Made in the USA.
See special pricing on Female Enhancement →*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Special pricing: 10% off with code ONF10, applied automatically. Only Nature's Finest may earn from purchases made through this link.
Talk with your doctor first. This guide is general education, not personal medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, take prescription medicine, or have a health condition.
Sources
- Shin BC, et al. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010
- Tribulus terrestris for female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e ObstetrĂcia, 2020
- Ginkgo: Usefulness and Safety. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (February 2025)
- Page RL, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. Pharmacotherapy, 1999