Aphrodisiacs are substances that are believed to increase sexual desire and fertility. The name originates from the Greek Goddess of love and sexuality, Aphrodite. The aphrodisiacs may be food, herbs or other substances that have affects on the hormones or neurotransmitters therefore enhancing feelings of love and attraction.

Aphrodisiacs may help to dissipate some of the emotional, psychological or physical ailments that inhibit sexual desire and intimacy. For example they may have one of the following effects:

• Reduce Stress
• Enhance Mood
• Calm Anxiety
• Relieve Depression
• Increase Circulation
• Energize Mind and Body
• Appeal to the Senses

Remember that physical stress and exhaustion may affect your desire to feel love and intimacy. The following herbs, foods and essential oils are a few of the aphrodisiacs that can help to balance your body and promote feelings of wellbeing.

HERBAL APHRODISIACS

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the bestselling herbs in the United States. In much of Asia, ginseng is prized as a revitalizer for the whole body, partly due to the human-like shape of the root.

Horny Goat Weed

According to folklore, horny goat weed’s reputed aphrodisiac qualities were discovered when a Chinese goat herder noticed increased sexual activity in his flock[ after they ingested the weed.

Fo-Ti

Fo-ti is also called he shou wu, which means “black-haired Mr. He” in Chinese. This name refers to a legend of an older villager named Mr. He who took fo-ti and restored his black hair, youthful appearance and sexual vitality.

L-Arginine

L-arginine is not an herb but an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body. It has been used for erectile dysfunction and is often promoted as a Viagra alternative

Damiana

Damiana is a plant native to Mexico and the southern United States. It has been widely used as an aphrodisiac in Mexico for men and women.

Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is an herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for centuries. It was only in the mid-90s when Eastern European Olympic athletes claimed that tribulus contributed to their success that tribulus became known in the North America.

Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali is a tree native to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It was dubbed the “Asian Viagra” in a May 1999 report in the New Sunday Times.

Maca

According to folklore, ancient Incan warriors took maca before going off to battle to make them physically strong. However, they were later prohibited from taking it, in order to protect conquered women from their heightened libidos.

Muira Puama

Muira puama, also called “potency wood” is a small Brazilian tree that grows across the Amazon River basin. It has a long history of use in Brazilian folk medicine as an aphrodisiac

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in western Africa in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo and Gabon. Yohimbe bark extracts are widely promoted online and in health food stores as a natural aphrodisiac to increase libido and treat erectile dysfunction.

APHRODISIAC FOODS

Almond

A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female.

Aniseed

A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed, had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.

Arugula

Arugula or “rocket” seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.

Asparagus

Given its phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. .

Avocado

The Aztecs called the Avocado tree, Ahuacuatl, which translated means “testicle tree”. The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male’s testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture.

Bananas

The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the “Apple” they started covering their “nudity” with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

Basil (sweet basil)

Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

Broccoli Rabe (And Other Mustard Greens)

The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli rabe its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.

Chocolate

The Aztecs referred to chocolate “nourishment of the Gods”. Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. .

Carrots

Another good reason to eat carrots–believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene.

Coffee

Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant.

Coriander (Cilantro seed)

The book of The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years and but was cured by a concoction that included coriander. That book is over 1000 years old so the history of coriander as an aphrodisiac dates back far into history. Cilantro was also known to be used as an “appetite” stimulant.

Fennel

In the 1930′s fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. Use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as “libido enhancement”.

Figs

An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant.

Garlic

The ‘heat’ in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Make sure you and your partner share it together. Garlic has been used for centuries to cure everything from the common cold to heart ailments.

Ginger

Ginger root raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system.

Honey

Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their “Honeymoon” drank mead and it was thought to “sweeten” the marriage.

Licorice

The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plan, glycrrhizin, is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.

Mustard

Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect.

Oysters

The Romans documented oysters as an aphrodisiac food in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating “giant oysters”. An additional hypothesis is that the oyster resembles the “female” genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.

Pine Nuts

Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as medieval times.

Raspberries and Strawberries

Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. “Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples” Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.

Truffles

The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.

Vanilla

The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, “Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican Fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness.”

Wine

A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses.

 

ESSENTIAL OILS AS APRHODISIACS

Essential oils are very concentrated oils that are extracted from plants, herbs, flowers and trees. They are only used in minute amounts and can be added to lotions, massage oils, baths, and diffusers. Choose the essential oils that have an aroma that you like or love! 

Basil

Frankincense

Ylang Ylang

Geranium

Sandalwood

Vetiver

Rose

Jasmine

Cinnamon

Myrrh

Vanilla

Lavender

Lemon