:: Aphrodisiacs ::

In today’s society, much emphasis is placed on sex. It is in the advertisements, television shows, virtually everywhere. Where people used to be ashamed of their sexuality, today it is acceptable and people are no longer afraid to be adventurous. One thing that many people experiment with is aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs are things that create arousal or sexual desire. These can be trinkets, foods, oils, aromas, or even behaviors. Aphrodisiacs have been around longer than the written word, and are in fact named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess who is representative of sensuality. In this book, we will explain more about aphrodisiacs and how they are believed to work, as well as covering a number of known aphrodisiacs from different countries and different periods of history.

The first aphrodisiac we will cover is Spanish Fly. Legendary in its status, Spanish Fly is made up of ground beetles and is actually toxic. Most of what you can buy that is labeled as Spanish Fly actually contains no beetle parts, and this is good, because real Spanish Fly is highly toxic and definitely will not do anything to improve your sex life. It does cause an erection, but this is caused by an inflamed urethra and is anything but pleasant. While this is an example of how things can become mislabeled and spread like urban legends, there are many excellent and effective aphrodisiacs out there, and they are most definitely not toxic. With the safety precaution out of the way, let’s take a look at some real aphrodisiacs, past and present.

One of the most commonly heard of aphrodisiacs is chocolate. Long rumored to have aphrodisiac properties, this theory likely started in the Aztec empire. Montezuma reportedly ingested multiple glasses of chocolate daily in order to boost his powers. While chocolate definitely works as an aphrodisiac, nobody is entirely sure why. There are two theories on this subject. The first theory is that chocolate contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, which is a stimulant that is also produced by the human body when we are in love. This is a very good theory, but scientists are unsure of its validity, as they feel much of the PEA in chocolate might be metabolized before it reaches the brain. The other theory is that the fats in chocolate react with the cannibinoid receptors in the brain, which produces a mild euphoria. Neither theory is proven, so all that is known for sure is that yes, chocolate does work as an aphrodisiac.

Oysters also have a long-standing reputation as love enhancers. Most famously, Casanova ate tons of oysters daily to help keep him and his libido going. Once again, science is at a loss to explain exactly how oysters work to boost the sex drive, though there is one pretty commonly accepted theory in this case. Where there are a number of chemicals and minerals in oysters that have been thought to boost libido over time, such as zinc, cholesterol, amino acids, and Omega 3 fatty acids, it is now generally agreed upon that the effect is likely a combination of all of these working together. Some people note that the effect could be psychological, and it is possible that people who are already sexually adventurous will seek out foods reported to boost libido, leading one to question whether the libido was raised by the oysters or nature. Another common theory, though admittedly without much merit, is the theory that if you can get a woman to put a raw oyster in her mouth, you

can get her to put almost anything there. Regardless of how they work, however, oysters are certainly a potent aphrodisiac and a great food for the sexually adventurous to enjoy on a date. Perhaps they could even be eaten with a glass of wine and followed by chocolate for dessert.

Wine is perhaps one of the most commonly used aphrodisiacs. Wine works by allowing you to drop your nervousness and by lowering one’s sexual inhibitions. While certainly this has to do with alcohol, studies also indicate it has much to do with the aesthetic properties of the wine, such as color and taste as well. In order to further boost the aphrodisiac effects of wine, it is best paired with any of the aforementioned foods, or any of the other common “love foods” such as strawberries and honey. peaking of strawberries and honey, these are both commonly accepted aphrodisiac foods. When it comes to honey, this knowledge has been around for centuries. The honeymoon period after a wedding is so called because of the aphrodisiac effects of honey, actually. In older times, when a couple first got married,

they were encouraged to drink large quantities of mead, or honey wine to enhance their sex lives and make the females more fertile. The most commonly accepted theory on how honey works is that it produces nitric oxide, which opens blood vessels, leading to both erections in males and clitoral engorgement in females. The short version is simply that yes, honey has excellent libido boosting effects. While there is no scientific data showing actual aphrodisiac properties in strawberries, the fruit is often associated with sex and passion, and can certainly be used during foreplay to heighten sensuality and arousal or dipped in chocolate, and this is probably why it still retains status with so many people as an aphrodisiac.

There are some aphrodisiacs that are specifically designed to work on women or that otherwise seem to only affect women. Most of these plants and scents are mildly tranquilizing, allowing a woman to open up and lower her inhibitions. While different scents and plants affect each woman differently, we will now discuss a few such items that are generally accepted as female aphrodisiacs.

Roses are perhaps the most common female aphrodisiac. Most men think that they are just being nice when they buy roses for a date or partner, but in reality, they are also greatly increasing their likelihood of getting lucky. There are a number of chemical reactions between roses and a woman’s brain that make this flower much more powerful than many people realize. Essentially roses have nearly the same effects as valium at lowering a woman’s inhibitions and reducing stress without impairing mobility or coordination like drugs do. If you can find it or make it, rose water, which is the essential oil of roses mixed with water, added to her favorite beverage can have amazing aphrodisiac properties. It can be mixed with just about any drink, and requires only about a third of a teaspoon of the rose water. It might be just what is needed to turn a good date into an outstanding one.Another common aphrodisiac plant is patchouli. While the scent of pure patchouli is unappealing to some women, it is found in over half of men’s colognes and when mixed with other ingredients it can have a rather pleasing aroma. Patchouli also works by helping a woman to relax and lower her inhibitions. It is shown, in fact, to reduce sympathetic nerve activity by roughly forty percent. In short, this little fragrance can produce big results.

Ginger is a common aphrodisiac for women and has been used for centuries. In Asia, ginger has been touted as a top aphrodisiac for years and there are hundreds of dishes, desserts, and beverages there that contain the ingredient. Ginger works essentially by providing a warming sensation and by greatly increasing blood flow to a woman’s sexual organs. Like many of the other aphrodisiacs listed, it does not have to be eaten alone, and can simply be an ingredient in a food or beverage.

Another edible aphrodisiac for women is truffles. Unfortunately, this refers to the edible mushrooms that grow underground and not the delicious chocolate treats you can pick up in the grocery store candy aisle (although chocolate is itself an aphrodisiac, so those might work as well). While good truffles can be somewhat pricey, there are plenty of varieties that are less expensive. Truffles work because they contain a number of chemical that are metabolized in the brain to stimulate a sexual response. If you do not want to buy truffles, or your partner does not enjoy them, you can buy truffle oil to add to her favorite dish, though it does not work quite as well as eating the truffles themselves, due to the fact that the oil is made mostly from the roots instead of the tubers themselves.

Doctors are currently working on the first truly pharmaceutical aphrodisiac. While drugs such as Viagra actually stimulate the sexual organs only as a side effect, a new drug for women, called PT-141works as a true aphrodisiac, by acting directly on the parts of the brain responsible for sexual arousal. It is pending FDA approval, and is currently only available on the Asian black market, though it is hoped to be on shelves in the United States within the next few years.

Much as there are aphrodisiacs for women, there are also ones that are effective mostly for men, though there are certainly fewer than there are for women. The main example of this is Arginine. This chemical works by increasing nitric oxide (NO) levels in the male body. NO has numerous sexual effects from longer lasting and bigger erections to more sexual endurance and a greatly increased libido. The typical dose is to take about 3,000 mg throughout the day, and it can be purchased in most health food stores and pharmacies.

A very common though somewhat controversial aphrodisiac for both sexes is pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals that both sexes secrete that let the other sex know when we are fertile. This is thought to be left over from the ages before dating and communication, when we relied on simple base instincts for survival. Animals still rely on this method for mating, and pheromones are what cats give off when in heat and how the male cats can find a female in heat. While we do not consciously smell these hormones, it is widely believed that our subconscious minds can still pick up on the scent, which increases attraction to certain men or women. There are a number of products out there, from perfumes and colognes to oils that contain pheromones and are purported to help you increase your attractiveness to the opposite sex.

Throughout time, many things have been used as aphrodisiacs. In many parts of Asia, dogs are commonly eaten as an aphrodisiac. In ancient Egypt, parts of mummies were believed to be aphrodisiacs, typically after having been ground into a powder. People from other countries and civilizations believe or believed in the aphrodisiac properties of such things as rhino horns, deer penises, jackal bile, and tiger bones. Many of these things are untested, and some are illegal, but the vast number of items believed to aid in sexual energy shows the lengths people are willing to go to in order to heighten their sexual experiences. It is important to note that aphrodisiacs only heighten arousal and do not create it entirely. Slipping rose water into a stranger’s drink will not make her swoon for you, but giving to your partner during a romantic date will certainly increase the likelihood of a long and stimulating night.

Just as there are aphrodisiacs, there are also certain chemicals and plants that are anaphrodisiacs. These are chemicals that have the opposite effect and actually decrease sexual arousal and libido. The biggest example of this is mint. The knowledge of the anaphrodisiac properties of mint is first attributed to Hippocrates, who noted that it decreased libido and erections. While many ancient beliefs about sex hold no water, this one is actually true. While mint is an ingredient in some desensitizing lotions and can help a man last longer during sex, higher doses can in fact decrease erections and sex drive. This happens because mint lowers the testosterone levels of men.

Other anaphrodisiacs are lavender, marjoram, and tea tree oil. These herbs are used in many anaphrodisiac recipes, as they are proven to reduce desire and sexual response. While lavender is a commonly used fragrance by women and tends to allow relaxation, it is best avoided when attempting to create a sexy environment.

The last anaphrodisiac affects males, and that is tomatoes. Like mint, tomatoes reduce testosterone levels in males. While they may be effective in helping to prevent prostate cancer, eating a large quantity of tomatoes before an expected night of passion is definitely not recommended.

All in all, there are a number of aphrodisiacs, from scents to foods and herbs. Each one works in a slightly different way, but all are effective. It can be quite fun for couples to experiment with different aphrodisiacs and combinations of them to see what produces the most excitement and pleasure for them. The next time a woman tells you she wants roses and chocolate, think of the benefits to you as well. For the ladies, the next time your partner brings home these things, he might have more in mind than cuddling on the couch and watching television. Aphrodisiacs are fun and much safer than drugs that purport to have the same effects. Whether you are experiencing sexual difficulty or are just looking to increase the amount of sexual pleasure and enjoyment you experience, try some of these methods out. You just might find that you are very glad you did.

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