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AphrodisiacAn aphrodisiac is an agent which is used to increase sexual desire. The name comes from the Greek goddess of Sensuality Aphrodite. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviours have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable. However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the desired results may be because their users have chosen to believe they will be effective (the placebo effect). Medical science has not substantiated claims that any particular food increases sexual desire or performance. Some aphrodisiacs appear to gain their reputation from the principles of sympathetic magic, e.g. oysters, due to their shape. Aphrodisiac foods and herbs Some natural items purported to be aphrodisiacs when ingested (not at all exhaustive): Arugula (Rocket): It is used as a leaf vegetable, which looks like a longer leaved and open lettuce. It is rich in vitamin C and iron. It is frequently cultivated, although domestication cannot be considered complete. It has been grown in the Mediterranean area since Roman times, and was considered an aphrodisiac. Before the 1990s it was usually collected in the wild and was not cultivated on a large scale or researched scientifically. Atta laevigata: Atta laevigata is one of about a dozen species of leafcutter ants in the genus Atta, found from Colombia south to Paraguay and is locally known in northern South America as hormiga culona. It has been eaten for hundreds of years, as a tradition inherited of pre-Colombian cultures as the Guanes. The ants are harvested for about nine weeks every year, at the time of the rainy season, which is when they make the nuptial flight; A. laevigata are used as traditional gifts in weddings. There are local beliefs about the ants to be aphrodisiac. Borojo: Borojoa patinoi, commonly known as Borojó, is a mid sized (3 to 5m) Tropical forest tree that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Borojó is an embera word meaning: boro = head, ne-jo = fruit. Head-shaped fruit, or round, globulous fruit. The fruit is large (about 12 cm length) with round shape and brown colour. Borojo has high levels of protein, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, calcium and iron. Borojo is used in the preparation of jam, wine, desserts and traditional medicines with supposed aphrodisiac effects. Chocolate: Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The reputed aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate are most often associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. More recently, suggestion has been made that serotonin and other chemicals found in chocolate, most notably phenethylamine, can act as mild sexual stimulants. While there is no firm proof that chocolate is indeed an aphrodisiac, giving a gift of chocolate to one's sweetheart is a familiar courtship ritual and can certainly sweeten the heart! Damiana: Damiana is a shrub native to Central and South America. It belongs to the family Turneraceae. Blooming with small yellow flowers, the shrub has an odour somewhat like chamomile or cannabis sativa, which is due to an oil present in the plant. The leaves have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its reputed aphrodisiac effects. Eggnog: Eggnog is typically served as a Christmas drink or during New Year's Eve. American Thanksgiving (late November) falls at the beginning of the season eggnog is typically consumed, but the product begins appearing in stores around Halloween. Historically, it has been a winter beverage not specifically associated with any holiday. Eggnog is also purported to be an aphrodisiac, likely due to the raw egg content. Eurycoma longifolia: Eurycoma longifolia Jack is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a small evergreen tree with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves. The tree produces flowers and fruit. Eurycoma longifolia has become popular for its alleged testosterone-enhancing properties. It has therefore been included in some herbal supplements for bodybuilders. Historically, South East Asia has utilised the herb for its suggested antimalarial, antipyretic, antiulcer, cytotoxic and aphrodisiac properties. Ginseng: Both American and Panax (Asian) ginseng rhizomes are taken orally as aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in sexual dysfunction in men. The rhizome is most often available in dried form, either in whole or sliced form. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used; as with the rhizome it is most often available in dried form. This ingredient may also be found in some popular Energy Drinks: usually the "tea" varieties or Functional Foods. Usually ginseng is in subclinical doses and it does not have measurable medicinal effects. It can be found in cosmetic preparations as well, with similar lack of effect. It is considered a wasteful use of important herbs by herbalists. Maca: The growth habit, size, and proportions of the Maca are roughly similar to those of the radish and the turnip, to which it is related. Maca has a radish- or inverted-pear-shaped body roughly 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. Maca is traditionally grown at very high altitudes. It grows well only in very cold climates with relatively poor soil. Although it has been cultivated outside the Andes it is not yet clear that it has the same constituents or potency when this is done. For approximately 2000 years maca has been an important traditional food and medicinal plant in its growing region. It is regarded as a highly nutritious food and as a medicine that enhances strength and endurance and also acts as an aphrodisiac. Shilajit: Shilajit is used in the Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. Shilajit is a rasayana herb. In the modern time, Sir Martin Edward Stanley, a British explorer during his expeditions to the Himalayas, in 1870, observed that monkeys on the gangetic plains became old by the time they were 10 years old, whereas the monkeys on the higher altitudes continued to be highly active and agile even during old age. He noticed that the monkeys at the higher altitudes were eating a rock like melted material oozing out from rock crevices when the ice cover melted during the summer months. The local people called the substance Shilajit, and its healing properties were well-known to them for long. The Kama Sutra, an ancient treatise on the art of love and sex, has extensively mentioned aphrodisiac properties of Shilajeet. Socratea exorrhiza: Socratea exorrhiza, the Walking Palm, is a palm native to rainforests in tropical Central and South America. Its common name arises from the fact that the tree's stilt roots enable it to slowly shift position, up to 1 metre a year to get more sunlight. This tree grows to 12 metres in height. Its trunk is used in the construction of houses and other structures. It is usually split length-wise before it is used, but it can also be hollowed out and used as a tube. The inner part of the stilt roots is used as a male aphrodisiac. Spanish fly (cantharidin): The Spanish fly is an emerald-green beetle in the family Meloidae, its medical use dates back to descriptions from Hippocrates. Plasters made from wings of these beetles have been used to raise blisters. In ancient China, cantharides beetles were mixed with human dung, arsenic and wolfsbane to make the world's first recorded stink bomb. It is also one of the world’s most well-known aphrodisiacs. In Roman times, Livia, the scheming wife of Augustus Caesar, would slip it into food hoping to inspire her guests to some indiscretion with which she could later blackmail them. Cantharides are illegal in the United States and we certainly do not recommend them!! Tribulus terrestris: Tribulus terrestris has long been used as a tonic and aphrodisiac in Indian ayurveda practice, where it is known by its Sanskrit name, "gokshura." It is now being promoted as a booster for the purpose of increasing sex drive. Its use for this purpose originated in Eastern Europe in the 1970's. Honey Kelp Oats Oysters Peanut Butter Walnut oil Some newly introduced exotic foods often acquire such a reputation, at least until they become more familiar; for example: Artichokes Asparagus Tomatoes Truffles Turtle eggs A number of essential oils are reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities but it can be for different reasons and therefore we have separated the above into different categories. Help with relaxation especially if the people involved are suffering from stress, anxiety or general tension. Help with nervous tension relating to sex Heady irresistible oils which usually appeal to both sexes! Oils which are warming and stimulating. As with all essential oils it is very important to dilute them before use and avoid the genital area. Sensual massage is an excellent way of arousing your partner and the use of essential oils in this massage can work effectively as a a great aphrodisiac. |
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