The basic rule for selecting aphrodisiacal foodstuffs is simple: the more expensive the substance, the higher the probability that people will believe in it. Although, if somebody is prepared to spoon-feed you caviar, it might suggest that the person is seriously interested in you, which in turn, could stimulate your interest in that person.
Asafoetida: is a preparation made from the plant Ferula foetida (Umbelliferae), also known as devil’s dung. It occurs both as a light brown resin and as a powder. Besides being an aphrodisiac it is also used as a laxative and a colic cure, although the main use is as a spice in cooking. The taste is peculiar - either you love it or you hate it.
Cloves: are the dried flower buds of Jambosa caryophyllus, also called Eugenia caryophyllata and Caryophyllus aromaticus. They have been considered an aphrodisiac in Asia and China since the 3rd century B.C. and even in Europe, they acquired fame. The Danish medieval herbalist H. Harpenstreng noted the value of cloves, stating that they “makes the man desire the woman”, and that they promote digestion.
The Swedish herbalist Anders Månsson Rydaholm wrote in 1642, in “En myckit nyttigh Örta-Book” that “if a man loses his ability, he should stay sober and drink milk spiced with 5 grams of cloves. This will fortify him and make him desire his wife.”
The main constituent of cloves and oil of cloves is eugenol, but small quantities of furfural, vanillin and methyl-amyl-ketone are also present. Eugenol is a high-boiling liquid with a spicy, pungent odour and taste.
Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare (Umbelliferae), was cultivated in ancient Egypt. The “Besbes seeds” mentioned in The Ebers Papyrus (dating from 1550 BC) are believed to be fennel seeds.
The Greeks regarded fennel as a potent sexual stimulant. During the Dionysus festivities, crowns of fennel leaves were worn, and leaves and seeds were used as aphrodisiacs (A. Tschirch: Handbuch der Pharmacognosie, Leipzig 1909-17). A medieval Danish manuscript (H. Harpestreng: Danske Laegebog) states that old vipers eat fennel for rejuvenation; so, it was therefore claimed equally useful for old men. Wedeck, in A Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, quotes a Hindu prescription for sexual vigour containing fennel juice, milk, honey, ghee, liquorice and sugar. Further, he states that fennel soup is reputed in some Mediterranean regions to stimulate desire.
The chief low molecular weight constituent of fennel seeds is anethole, also known as anise camphor or Monasirup, but the seeds (and the rest of the plant) also contain the terpenes fenchone, pinene and limonene.
Fenugreek: The pods of Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum (Leguminoseae), which grows in Southwest Asia and around the Eastern part of the Mediterranean resemble goat’s antlers. Consequently, according to the Doctrine of Signatures, they are regarded as a remedy for impotence, and were included in the earliest list of Chinese medical plants. The roasted pods are eaten in many parts of the world, but can also be used as a starting point for the preparation of various dishes.
Gow Kee: The leaves of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae), also known as Chu Chi, Matrimony vine and Box thorn, are well-known in Chinese herbal medicine for their ability to stimulate libido and increase male endurance. The bright green leaves are ovate to lanceolate, up to 8 cm long and edible, but rather tasteless. For use, 25 grams of Gow Kee and 25 grams of finely chopped ginger are boiled with 500 ml of water until the volume of the liquid has been reduced to one-third. Strain the infusion and drink it as a tea.
Hemp seeds: Cannabis sativa, is a plant that is very popular. As an aphrodisiac, and according to popular belief, the most powerful preparation is the roasted and salted hemp seeds. In Ukrainian tradition, it was customary to feed the bridegroom roasted hemp seeds during the wedding dinner; although seeds could also be served as a part of a special wedding bread or as an ingredient in a wedding night drink.
Herb Paris: also known as True love, Paris quadrifolia has long been used as an aphrodisiac, but should be handled with extreme care since the seeds and berries are narcotic, and in large doses can produce nausea, vomiting and even delirium; neither of which will contribute to successful love-making. In Russia, the leaves of the plant have also been prescribed for madness.
Nutmeg: also known as myristica or Nux moschata is the ripe seed of Myristica fragrans (Myristicaceae), a tree native to Southern Asia and the Spice islands. The seed coat is removed before drying, and becomes the spice ‘Mace’.
Nutmeg is supposed to be a “Legal hallucinogenic”, and has been used for this purpose in prisons. However, the side effects of the high doses required can be severe and completely overshadow the desired effects. It is alleged to have a subtle aphrodisiac effect in far smaller doses (less than half a nut should suffice), and has been used for such purposes by Hindus, Arabs, Greeks and Romans. In the Orient it was especially highly prized amongst women, and according to the Indian herbalist H. K. Bakhru, nutmeg mixed with honey and a half-boiled egg will prolong the duration of the sexual act, if taken an hour before intercourse.
The compound allegedly responsible for the hallucinogenic and possibly also for the alleged aphrodisiacal effects of nutmeg is myristicin, 4-methoxy-6-(2-propenyl)-1,3-benzodixole. It has some structural similarity with mescaline (the hallucinogen from peyote cactus). Myristicin also occurs in parsley and carrot, although mainly in the seeds, and at far lower concentrations.
Pepper: The aphrodisiacal qualities of pepper are not quite clear. The name pepper was long used as a collective name for all spices imported to Europe (in contrast to the herbal spices cultivated in Europe). Thus, older references to pepper as an aphrodisiac could actually concern a different spice.
Nowadays, Pepper is a collective name for various forms of the fruit of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae). Black pepper is the dried, unripe fruits, and white pepper the dried, ripe fruits, green pepper is from the ripe fruit and rose pepper is from the unripe fruit. Additionally, if the fruits are preserved in brine, milder forms are obtained.
The reputation of pepper being an aphrodisiac goes back to Antiquity, when it was used by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The Arabs not only added pepper to food, but used it other ways. According to “The Perfumed Garden”, you should: Chew a little pepper or cardamom-grains of the large species; put a certain quantity of it upon the head of your member before intercourse, and this will produce for you, as well as for the woman, a matchless enjoyment.
A way to increase the size of the penis is, according to the same source, to prepare a powder out of pepper, lavender, galangal and musk, mix it with honey and preserved ginger, and then rub the penis vigorously with it. [The penis] will then grow large and brawny, and afford the woman a marvellous feeling of voluptuousness.
Indian sources recommend the daily consumption of a glass of milk with six crushed black peppercorns and four crushed almonds. This allegedly will act as both a nerve tonic and an aphrodisiac.
The pungent principles of pepper are first and foremost the stereo-isomeric pair of chemicals piperine (E,E form) and chavicine (Z,Z form). It is believed that the loss of pungency of ground pepper during storage is due to the isomerization of chavicine into piperine. Other pungent substances, present in pepper, are piperettine and the somewhat volatile piperidine (which can also be formed by alkaline treatment of piperine).
Saffron: is the stigmas of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), and one of the worlds most expensive spices, it can reputedly make erogenous zones even more sensitive as well as having a hormone-like effect. It is not known which of the constituents are responsible for saffron’s reputation as an aphrodisiac; however, the orange colour is due to crocin, a di-gentiobiose ester of crocetin, a carotenoid compound. Both crocin and crocetin have been shown to play an important role in the sex processes of algae of the Chlamydomonas group.
Sarsaparilla: is a collective name for preparations of various Smilax species. Mexican sarsaparilla is prepared from Smilax aristolochiaefolia, whereas Jamaican or Honduran sarsaparilla originates from S. regelii and Ecuadorian sarsaparilla from S. febrifuga. The plants are large perennial climbing or trailing vines, growing from short, thick underground stems. It is these stems that are collected and dried in the sun before use.
The root has been used not only as an aphrodisiac, but as a syphilis antidote, competing with mercury derivatives. Today, its main use is to flavour soft drinks such as Root beer.
Valerian: Extracts or teas prepared from valerian Valeriana officinalis, are mainly used in herbal medicine as sedatives. However, a German herbal book from the 14th century suggests another possibility: “Take valerian in the mouth and kiss anybody you want; in that way you will win love”.
Vanilla: is the cured, full-grown, unripe fruit of an orchid, Vanilla planifolia. Its name derives from the Spanish word vainila, a diminutive of vaina meaning vagina (or pod). Vanilla was used by the Aztecs to flavour chocolate, which they extracted from the seeds of Theobroma cacao (Sterculiaceae), a tree native to the area around the Gulf of Mexico and northern South America.
It is a well-known powerful aphrodisiac; N.J. Berlin stated in a commentary to the Swedish pharmacopoeia (1849) that it acted through its odour as much as through its taste. It is important to use the natural product, since Synthetic vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde) is far cheaper, but less effective, especially nowadays when it is synthesised from the waste (lignin) of the wood pulp industry. Vanilla essence (extracted from real vanilla pods) can be added to a bath to produce a mild love-arousing effect, especially when you and your partner take the bath together.
Wild vanilla: Preparations of North American wild vanilla, Trilisa odoratissima, are said to have aphrodisiacal properties, and also to induce erotic dreams. The plant has been used (without success) to treat Malaria; possibly the pleasant side-effects were discovered during these trials.
Posted by Jonathan as Biology, History at 2:52 AM EDT
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Running a sex and seduction related website, one often comes across various titbits of information that are interesting, but not immediately useful, or applicable to anything specific.
So, using a combination of information from the American Urology Association, The Kinsey Report and Wikipedia, here are ten unusual facts about sex that you might not have known before.
- On any given day 400,000,000 people around the world (1 in 17 of us) will have sexual intercourse. Broken down further, about 4,000 people are having sex right now.
- Sex cures headaches: Endorphins released into our bloodstream when we have sex not only give us pleasure, but also act as painkillers. That’s useful information to whip out the next time your partner uses a headache as a reason for refusing.
- The average lovemaking session lasts around 15 minutes: Consisting of roughly 10 to 12 minutes of foreplay and around 3 to 5 minutes of intercourse.
- Forget global warming and turn up your thermostat… Orgasms can be more intense in warmer conditions. The degree of vasocongestion - reddening or darkening of the skin known as the “sex flush” - is both more common in warmer temperatures and an indication of how intense an orgasm was.
- Humans aren’t the only members of the animal kingdom that have sex just for fun. Dolphins and Bonobo chimps have also been observed engaging in sexual activity, when they are not in their natural reproductive cycles.
- Homosexuality is not unique to humans: Many species have been observed engaging in homosexual activity; and male bats have the highest rate of homosexuality in all mammals.
- If a woman experiences an orgasm during sex, she’s more likely to become pregnant, since orgasmic spasms in pelvic muscles can help move sperm up the vaginal canal to the uterus.
- Many elderly people can and do have frequent sex: At age 70 — 73% of males are still potent; and 30% of women aged 80 or older still have sex.
- Viagra has made erectile dysfunction (affecting 10–12% of men) a household phrase, but the opposite problem, premature ejaculation (affecting 24–27% of men), is actually more common. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing a drug called Dapoxetine as a cure for this problem.
- 70% of women would rather eat chocolate than have sex.
Posted by Jonathan as Miscellaneous at 4:11 AM EDT
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The use of many plants as aphrodisiacs is based on an ancient belief in the therapeutic efficacy of resemblances, otherwise known as the Doctrine of Similarities. Thus, if a plant resembled the genitalia, it possessed, so it was reasoned, sexual characteristics and powers. Some examples of this are Mandrake and Salep.
In some cases the use was based on a misinterpretation of the name of the plant in another language. The plant Levisticum palaudapifolium was called Ligysticon by Dioscorides because of its Ligurian origin. Galen modified the name to Libysticon, which later was transformed into the German names Liebstock. The meaning of the prefix “Lieb-” is “love”, which in turn gave rise to its use as an aphrodisiac.
Bois bandé: Is the name commonly used in a large part of the Caribbean for the tree Roupala montana, belonging to the Proteaceae family, and famous for the alleged aphrodisiacal properties of its bark. The plant is not only found in Grenada and Trinidad, but also in Dominica, where it is known as the gimauve or gommier tree, in Costa Rica (Danto amarillo or zorillo) and in Brazil (Carne-de-vaca).
The best way to prepare the aphrodisiac is to soak a strip of the bark for a week in rum, then filter the rum and take a small glass of the extract every evening (the drink is known as Macoucherie rum).
Burada: The bark of Parinari campestris (Chrysobalanaceae), known as Burada in Guyana, is frequently used as an aphrodisiac in the same way as Bois bandé is. This tree also occurs in neighbouring Suriname where it is known as the Red fugu.
Chuchuhuasi: (or Chuchuwasi) is a common name for some members of the genus Maytenus (belonging to the Celastraceae family), found in Peru and Colombia. An infusion of the bark is used not only as an aphrodisiac but also as a muscle relaxant and a remedy for rheumatism. You can either follow the recipe of the Peruvian Shiphibo tribe: soak the bark overnight in alcohol (any strong alcoholic drink will do) and then drink the infusion, or do as the Siona Indians in Colombia: boil a 5 cm piece of the trunk in 2l of water until the volume has been reduced by half, then drink a small cupful of this 3 times a day for a week.
The most useful species are Maytenus krukovii, M. eberifolia (M. macrocarpa M. laevis) and M. ilicifolia. The active constituents might be Maytansine, Maytenin, Mebeverine and the triterpenes Tingenone, 22-hydroxytingenone and Pristimeran.
Cotton: Even this common substance has a reputation of being an aphrodisiac. Not the textile, but other preparations of Gossypium herbaceum. Some sources suggest that chewing the root will stimulate the sex organs, and have an action similar to that of ergot. In India and Pakistan decoctions of the seeds are used (in teacupful doses), not just as an aphrodisiac, but also as a laxative and as an abortifacient.
Also interesting to note are recent attempts to use Gossypol, extracted from cotton root bark, as an oral contraceptive for men. These trials began in China, and indicate that Gossypol could almost completely block sperm production in men, without affecting their potency.
Damiana: Turnera diffusa, also appropriately called Turnera aphrodisiaca (Turneraceae) is a shrub, up to 2 meters high, which grows in desert areas around the Mexican Gulf and in some South American countries. The part to use for preparing extracts is the sun-dried leaves. Damiania has also been smoked, although since the smoke is harsh, it is best to filter it through water (use a water-pipe), which, will also decrease the potency.
The leaves contain a cyanogen glycoside as well as Arbutin, Eucalyptol, Cymole and Pinen. Arbutin, which is a glucoside of hydroquinone, has been used as a diuretic and urinary anti-infective, so its effect on the urinary tract might be perceived as stimulating. Incidentally, the same compound also occurs in Lingon berries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea).
Golden root: The roots of Rhodiola rosea have been known as a powerful stimulant for centuries, and were a favoured ingredient in many folk love potions. The Ukrainian prince Danila Galitsky had a reputation for many remarkable amorous feats; and it is said that he acquired strength from the “golden root of Karpaty”. The main use of the golden root is as a constituent in an alcoholic drink called “Nastojka”. Equal parts (by weight) of Fresh roots are mixed with 40% alcohol (e.g. Vodka) and are kept in dark place for at least a week, preferably longer. A teaspoon of the resulting “Nastojka” after breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2-3 weeks will apparently produce remarkable effects in both men and women. Golden root has been approved as an official Ukrainian medicinal drug, and its use and applications are similar to those of ginseng.
Lubistok: Levisticum officinale, in the Ukraine, “Lubistok” is believed to be useful for attracting lovers. Here, the dried or fresh roots, but not the leaves, are used. A decoction or “Nastojka” made from the root is still used to cure impotency and increase male sexual power.
Mandrake: is the root of a plant of the potato family, Mandragora officinarum. The plant is indigenous to the entire Mediterranean area. It has large leaves, no stem, and flowers ranging in colour from white to purple. The fruit is a yellow, tomato-like berry. The most remarkable part of it is the root, which can attain an almost human-like shape.
Collecting the root was considered dangerous, because it might let out a scream which would kill anybody listening. Therefore, a black dog was used - The dog would be tied to the plant - and when attracted (by meat for example), it would pull the root out of the earth. Then, if the root screamed it didn’t matter since only the dog would be killed.
Mandrake could be used either fresh for the preparation of potions and philtres or dried as a charm (for potions the fruit could also be used). The love apples Lea served her husband (Genesis 30:14) were most likely the fruits of mandrake, since in the Greek translation of the Old Testament they are called Mela Mandragorou.
As members of the Solanaceae family, mandrake contains several tropine alkaloids, including atropine and scopolamine; these both have powerful physiological effects. Scopolamine would probably not induce any amorous thoughts, but has a reputation of lowering inhibition thresholds and has allegedly been used as a “truth drug” during interrogation of prisoners of war. A major effect of even a low dose of atropine is dry mucous membranes, which is certainly counterproductive in the context of seduction and sex.
Muira puama: Marapuama or Liriosma is a bush occurring in the northern and north-eastern parts of Brazil. The white flowers have a jasmine-like pungent and aromatic smell. It is also known under the name Potency wood or under its Latin name Ptychopetalum uncinatum; the active constituents are contained in the bark from which a concentrated water extract or a dilute herbal tea can be prepared. The tea is slightly bitter, but can be sweetened to make it more palatable. A daily dose of Muira puama would be about one gram of bark.
This preparation is alleged to be effective against a multitude of symptoms. M. Penna, in “Notes Sobre Plantas Brasileires” (1930) includes treatment of disorders of the nervous system, impotency, and gastrointestinal and circulatory astenia. D. Schwontkowski in “Herbs of the Amazon” (1993) also mentions its use for impotence, frigidity, menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome.
Other Brazilian aphrodisiac plants: Three other plants have frequently been used in Brazilian folk medicine as aphrodisiacs: Catuaba (Juniperus brasiliensis, Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) and koribo (Tanaecium nocturnum). Catuaba is said to be used for male impotency, for extreme fatigue and as a general tonic. Cashew nut is used as a general tonic for the body, also having aphrodisiacal effects. And, aside from being an aphrodisiac, Koribo is said to treat diarrhoea.
Nettles: The stinging nettle Urtica dioica, was used as the ultimate resort by some ancient Romans who, allegedly, literally tried to whip their members into action. Alternatively, a simple nettle soup could be invigorating, because of its high iron content.
Periwinkle: Oil prepared from the flowers of Vinca major is believed to increase the sexual capacity of men. It can either be consumed or applied externally. A more traditional Periwinkle recipe to increase sexual desire (to be used by men only) is as follows: Cover 20 grams of the fresh, blossoming plant with 250 ml of vodka or whisky and let the mixture simmer, covered for at least half an hour. Then, take 8 drops of the filtered potion twice a day for four days, and then take a two-day-break after which you can continue taking the potion for another four days.
Ricin: The seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis have long been used as a purgative, and it might be surprising to learn that they have also have been used as an aphrodisiac. However, this is all due to a linguistic mixup! The name “Ricinus” is derived from a Latin word meaning “Tick” because of the resemblance of the seed to a swollen tick. “Tick” is in German “Zwecke” and in Dutch “Teck“. This led to the Swedish word “tyckefr” as a name for the castor plant seeds. Literally, “Affection seed”, which has resulted in many Swedish people trying to use the purgative as an aphrodisiac. Remarkably, castor oil, which is obtained from the seeds, has been used by American Indians for erotic purposes.
Ruta: Ruta graveolens, is the most popular “female” aphrodisiac in the Ukraine, where there are numerous folk rhymes and songs about its ability to charm men.
Women who drink a decoction of ruta, “ruta-nastojka” becomes loved and wanted, and according to a folk legend, witches used to bring teenage boys to fields where the ruta was blossoming. The strong scent made the boys become “possessed by witch desires”, whereupon they lost their virginity.
Salep: Is the parboiled and dried root of several species belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The similarity between the bulbs and testicles, and the high contents of mucilage, gave rise to the belief that salep is a potent aphrodisiac. The name derives from the Arab khusa ath-tha’lab, which was shortened to sahleb, and which means fox testicles. The Latin name of Salep was Radix satyrii officinalis, from satyrium, referring to uninhibited sexual habits. A classic preparation is to boil milk with salep and some cinnamon, cloves and ginger for five minutes and then drink it whilst still warm.
Saw Palmetto: The berries of the North American bush Saw palmetto, Serenoa serrulata, are believed to have a remarkable effect as an aphrodisiac, regardless of the physical age of the user. Commercial preparations are widely available.
Spikenard: Nardostachys jalamansi, is an Indian member of the Valerianaceae family, which was used by the Romans to prepare an erotic ointment called Foliatum, although this was probably identical with Spikenard.
Thorn-apple: Datura stramonium, has a similar alkaloid content to Mandrake, and has also been used as an aphrodisiac. It was described by a German author as “A preparation for keepers of whores, seducers of girls, degenerated mistresses and libertines”. Thorn-apple is quite toxic, and sixteen seeds have been enough to kill a 2-year old child.
Posted by Jonathan as Biology at 6:38 AM EDT
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Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men’s penises, Reuters reports. The attacks happened after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.
Rumours of penis theft began circulating last week in Kinshasa, and quickly dominated radio call-in shows, with listeners advised to beware of fellow passengers in communal taxis wearing gold rings.
Police also detained 14 purported victims, who claimed that sorcerers simply touched them to make their genitals shrink or disappear, in what some residents said was an attempt to extort cash with the promise of a cure.
Police arrested the accused sorcerers and their victims in an effort to avoid the sort of bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 suspected penis snatchers were beaten to death by angry mobs - The men have since been released.
Kinshasa’s police chief, Jean-Dieudonne Oleko, said:
You just have to be accused of that, and people come after you. We’ve had a number of attempted lynchings. [...] You see them covered in marks after being beaten.
I’m tempted to say it’s one huge joke
But when you try to tell the victims that their penises are still there, they tell you that it’s become tiny or that they’ve become impotent. To that I tell them, ‘How do you know if you haven’t gone home and tried it?’
Some Kinshasa residents accuse a separatist sect from nearby Bas-Congo province of being behind the witchcraft in revenge for a recent government crackdown on its members.
Alain Kalala (29), who sells phone credits near a Kinshasa police station confirmed:
It’s real. Just yesterday here, there was a man who was a victim. We saw. What was left was tiny
Posted by Jonathan as Miscellaneous at 3:10 PM EDT
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Interestingly, many vegetables that should be familiar to modern readers have in the past been credited as having libido increasing powers. Even potatoes have been believed to possess aphrodisiacal properties (although that belief only prevailed when potatoes were scarce and expensive). Thus, in Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, Falstaff beseeches the sky “to rain potatoes” for this reason. Potato peels can sometimes contain a considerable level of alkaloids, which in turn could give rise to some physiological effects. Possibly this is part of the reason behind the fad for serving fried potato skins.
Asparagus: Asparagus officinalis, belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae), and was cultivated by the Greeks. According to Arab sources, the asparagus should first be boiled in water, then briefly fried in fat and sprinkled with condiments to provide a powerful aphrodisiac; caution might be advised, since Quensel (1809) states that asparagus turns men on but women off. Its main action is diuretic, and the stimulating effect on the male genitals is a consequence of this.
Celery: Apium graveolens, has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac, and several cultivated varieties exist, including Pascal celery, cultivated for the stalks, and celeriac or celery root, grown for the root. The stalks can be eaten raw, boiled or braised, whereas the root is best peeled, julienned and blanched.
The Swedish cookery book author C.E. Hagdahl, in his “Cooking as Science and Art” (1879), claims that celery contributes to stimulation of digestion, and is also suspected to be somewhat sexually enhancing, although these effects can be reduced by boiling.
There is also an old Ukrainian saying: “If your husband is old and weak you must have him to drink juice from two big carrots and a stick of celery”. Celery is a very popular folk aphrodisiac in Poland and the Czech Republic, possibly due to the “doctrine of similarities”.
Garlic: Allium sativum, belongs to the same genus as another supposed reliable aphrodisiac, onion. Its use as a staple food during Ancient Egyptian times is mentioned in the Bible (Numbers, chapter 11). Hippocrates suggests garlic as a remedy for a variety of illnesses, including fevers, flu and intestinal parasites.
Its use as an aphrodisiac is (or was) widespread, not only among Egyptians, but also among Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Japanese (Ainu). The Swedish pharmaceutical chemist Matts Bergmark quotes in “Vallört och vitlök” (1961) the East German pharmaceutical journal Die Pharmazie, saying that garlic is especially well suited for men and women of climacteric age, because it contains (unspecified) compounds related to sex hormones.
In some cases garlic is used externally: David Berman, a professor of the USC Medical School, suggests a few cloves of garlic be crushed and mixed with lard, the mixture then to be rubbed on to the unwilling male member.
Possibly, most of the aphrodisiacal effects of garlic are due to the fact that it makes food more appetising, stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, increases the appetite and generally contributes to a feeling of well-being.
Ginger: Throughout Asia, from China to Turkey, ginger has a solid reputation as being a powerful aphrodisiac, it was known to Pliny and Avicena. “The Perfumed Garden”, a sixteenth century Arab erotic manual written by Sheik al-Nefzawi, strongly favours the use of ginger both externally and internally. One recipe calls for a mixture of ginger, ointment of lilac and pyrethrum (from the plant Anthemis pyrethrum) to be pounded and then used for rubbing the abdomen, the scrotum and the anus.
An alternative is to chew a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, pyrethrum and cubebs just before sex, then moisten the penis with saliva before intercourse. “From that moment she will have such affection for you that she can scarcely be a moment without you”. Indian literature recommends a mixture of ginger juice, honey and half-boiled eggs, taken at night for a month, as a remedy against impotence.
Ginger consists of the dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae). The active compounds are called gingerols, with the most important being [6]-gingerol, 5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-decanone.
Onions: Have been attributed aphrodisiacal properties, since prehistoric times. They are mentioned in many classic Hindu texts on the art of making love, and were the most used aphrodisiac in ancient Greece, as well as being frequently included as an ingredient in Roman and Arab recipes. Celibate Egyptian priests were not allowed to eat onions because of their potential effects, and in France, newlyweds were served onion soup on the morning after their wedding night to restore their libido.
Ovid, in “Ars Amatoria” (book 2), suggests: “Let white onions be taken that are sent from the Pelasgian city of Alcathous.” The Romans seldom used onions alone and usually only after cooking; thus Apicus in “De re coquinaria” includes onions cooked in water and mixed with pine seeds. One exception is the recommendation of the Roman epigrammatist Martial: “If your wife is old and your member is exhausted, eat onions in plenty.”
“The Perfumed Garden” also bears a testimony to onions, “The member of Abou el-Heiloukh has remained erect for thirty days without a break because he ate onions.” More specifically, he ate onions cooked with meat and, for drink, had the juice pressed out of pounded onions mixed with honey. The same source suggests an even more powerful preparation: Take one part of the juice pressed out of pounded onions and mix it with two parts of purified honey. Heat the mixture until the water of the onion juice has evaporated, and let the residue cool - to be used whenever required. The Sheik warns (or promises?) that a man using this concoction for several consecutive days will constantly have his member rigid and erect without intermission. Furthermore, he notes that the medicine should never be used for three consecutive days, except by old and cold-tempered men.
Onion, as well as garlic, contains the amino acid alliin and the related allicin (CH2=CH-CH2-SO-CH2-CH=CH2). Alliin, which is devoid of any odour or taste, can be transformed into allicin by the enzyme allinase. Whenever an onion (or garlic) is crushed this enzyme is released from the plant tissue and starts to enact the transformation. It is allicin which causes the “true” garlic odour. No aphrodisiacal properties have (yet) been demonstrated, but the compound makes a good antibiotic.
Shiitake: The shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes, consists of large, tawny, parasol-shaped caps with a cream-coloured inside and a delicious smoky flavour. It has a reputation of being a useful aphrodisiac even when eaten alone, but especially in combination with game.
Truffles: Were well known to the Romans as a powerful aphrodisiac. Book VII of Apicus’ “De re coquinaria” mainly deals with delicacies believed to have aphrodisiacal properties, and includes six ways of preparing truffles. Most highly rated were the Libyan truffles, although also much appreciated were truffles from Cyrene and Thrakia. Pliny speculates about the origin of truffles and assumes they might be the result of a thunderbolt.
However, with the fall of the Roman Empire, the magic properties of truffles were lost until rediscovery in the late eighteenth century. This time interest focussed on the French truffles, Tuber melanosporum, and the erotic powers attributed to them were remarkable.
Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, in “La Physiologie du Goût” (published 1825, one year before his death at an age of 71 years) devotes six pages to the erotic properties of truffles. He details an example of how a lady narrowly escaped being seduced by a guest whom she had fed a hen stuffed with truffles, and he concludes “Truffles are no perfect aphrodisiac, but in certain cases they can make women more yielding and men more amiable”.
Posted by Jonathan as Biology, Sociology at 12:01 AM EDT
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In the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire study, which looked at the platonic relationships of people aged 18 to 23 and 27 to 52, researchers found that sexual sparks and mating motives can shape who we choose to make friends with, and how hard we work to keep those people as part of our lives.
For many, lead author April Bleske-Rechek says, having an attractive friend or a friend who makes us feel attractive validates our feelings of desirability and offers a sense of security.
It’s the whole back burner idea that there’s some possibility [for love] there if the current romantic relationship doesn’t work out
Across both age groups and genders, people who are attracted to an opposite-sex friend will place additional importance on maintaining that relationship. But, the more attraction and flirtation play a role in a friendship, the lower the levels of satisfaction with the current romantic relationship.
Bleske-Rechek said:
This is a chicken-and-egg question, we don’t know if flirtation and attraction to an opposite-sex friend causes a decrease in satisfaction with their current romantic relationship, or if they’re not satisfied with their current romantic relationship so it’s more important for them to have something elsewhere.
Young women who are romantically involved are less likely to be attracted to an opposite-sex friend, and even less likely to be attracted to an opposite-sex friend who himself is involved. But, this “blinders” effect does not occur in their male counterparts.
Dr Bleske-Rechek continued:
For young adult men, single and involved are the same thing, they have the exact same perceptions of attraction to that friend whether she’s involved or not.
Interestingly, young men tend to overestimate how attracted their female friends are to them, while young women tend to underestimate male friends’ attraction. However, middle-aged men and women report similar levels of attraction to each other.
Both sexes - although women more so than men - are keenly aware that sparks between friends can wreak havoc on their romantic relationships if they aren’t careful.
Amongst young adults, 22 percent of men and 47 percent of women think sexual chemistry with an opposite-sex friend makes their lives more complicated. With middle-aged adults, 15 percent of men and 33 percent of women feel that way.
The difficulty most often cited was spousal jealousy. For about a quarter of men and nearly half of women (45 percent), an opposite-sex friendship isn’t considered kosher by the person with whom they share a bed.
Such spousal concerns aren’t unfounded. A 2004 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology revealed that as much as 15 percent of the time, an opposite-sex friendship between romantically committed people can end in a “mate poach.”
Posted by Jonathan as Anthropology, Psychology at 8:33 PM EDT
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Fortune-tellers, mediums and spiritual healers marched to Downing Street on Friday, to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister, and to protest against new laws they fear will lead to them being “persecuted and prosecuted”, since the new rules will shift the responsibility of proving they are not frauds from the prosecutors and onto themselves.
Organizers claimed that replacing the Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 with new consumer protection regulations will remove key legal protection for genuine mediums.
They believe that sceptics may bring malicious prosecutions, to force spiritualists to prove in court that they can really heal people, see into the future or talk to the dead.
Psychics also fear that they will have to give disclaimers describing their services as entertainment or as scientific experiments with unpredictable results.
Carole McEntee-Taylor, a healer who co-founded the Spiritual Workers Association said:
If I’m giving a healing to someone, I don’t want to have to stand there and say I don’t believe in what I’m doing
By repealing the Act, the onus will go round the other way and we will have to prove we are genuine
The government said the new regulations form part of a European Union directive that is meant to harmonize unfair trading laws across the EU, and will introduce a ban on traders “treating consumers unfairly”.
The British Humanist Association, a charity which campaigns against religion and supernatural beliefs, said stricter regulations were overdue because the current laws don’t work.
Chief Executive Hanne Stinson commented:
It is misleading for spiritualists to claim that, as religious practitioners they should not be regulated under consumer laws
The Psychic industry is huge and lucrative and it exploits some very vulnerable, and some very gullible, people with claims for which there is no scientific evidence.
Posted by Jonathan as Miscellaneous at 8:13 PM EDT
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A new sex survey by researchers at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University has revealed that men’s turn-ons and triggers differ widely from one another.
Men (n=50) in the study, were divided into three groups based on their age, and expressed a wide range of their experiences and feelings relating to such matters as the relationship between erections and desire, the importance of scent and relationships, and a woman’s intelligence.
Some factors, such as depression or the risk of being caught having sex, were reported by some men as inhibiting sex, while other men found that they could enhance their desire and arousal.
One of the most interesting factors to come out of the survey was that an erection was not the main cue for men to know they are sexually aroused. Most of the men responded that they can experience erections without feeling aroused or interested, leading researchers to suggest that erections are not good criteria for determining sexual arousal in men.
Many men also found it difficult to distinguish between sexual desire and sexual arousal, a distinction prominent in most sexual response models currently being used by researchers and clinicians.
The changes in the quality of older men’s erections had a direct effect on their sexual encounters, including, for some, a shifting focus to the partner and her sexual enjoyment. Older men also consistently mentioned that as they aged, they became more careful and particular in choosing sexual partners.
The sexual history of women also mattered to the men - but differently for different age groups. Sexually experienced women were considered more threatening by younger men, who had concerns about “measuring up,” but such women were considered more arousing for older men.
The Kinsey Institute study is unique because few studies so far have examined how closely the findings of decades of laboratory studies on sex actually reflect the experiences of men.
Erick Janssen, associate scientist at the Kinsey Institute said:
We have a lot of assumptions about how men think and feel and behave sexually, we use all kinds of methods to measure men’s sexual responses; in addition, we use questionnaires and surveys to ask about sexual behaviors. It’s less common to sit down with men and ask them to talk about their experiences.
Janssen and his colleagues focussed on sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, which they refer to as the dual control model of sexual response. Janssen relates this to the accelerator and brake pedals in a vehicle - both can influence a car’s behaviour (you can slow down by letting go of the accelerator or by pressing the brake) but they do so in different ways. This model is used around the world by sex researchers in studies on topics as varied as sexual dysfunction and sexual risk taking.
The success of women’s focus groups led Janssen and his colleagues to conduct focus groups with men, the findings of which could ultimately inform research efforts to better understand the variability in sexual behaviour.
Dr. Janssen added:
One of the main conclusions of the focus group study is that, just like women, men are different. Sex researchers tend to focus a lot on differences between men and women, while not giving as much attention to the differences that exist among men, and women.
The study “Factors that Influence Sexual Arousal in Men: A Focus Group Study” is published in the April issue of the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour.
Posted by Jonathan as Psychology, Sociology at 5:09 PM EDT
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I agree that guys claiming to be big and macho is not seduction.
My friend sent me these jokes, which I think are very funny, so I’m forwarding to your website.
- The Alpha Male walks up to a woman in a bar and says, “You’re going to get laid tonight”
- A bit surprised, she asks, “Really? How do you know that? Are you Psychic?”
- He replies “No, I’m just stronger than you!”
- What’s the Alpha Male’s favourite chatup line?
- “Get in the van!”
- What’s the Alpha Male’s idea of foreplay?
- “Scream an’ I’ll fucking cut you, Bitch!”
- The Alpha Male saved a girl from getting raped last night
- He went home and masturbated instead!
- Why did the Alpha Male cry during sex?
- That’s one of the side-effects of Pepper spray!
- What did the Alpha Male do after sex?
- 15 years to life!
Posted by Anonymous as Humour at 5:00 PM EDT
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In a country that has reached a population of over 1.1 billion there must be an extensive knowledge of what might increase reproductive behaviour. In the following article, some recommendations from Ayurvedic medicine, as well as from modern Indian herbalists have been brought together.
Ajwain: or Bishop’s Weed (Trachyspermum ammi) is a shrub, occurring from Egypt to India, and which has been used for medical purposes for several thousand years. The seeds are rich in thymol and are considered an effective aphrodisiac. The seeds should be crushed and fried in ghee (clarified butter), normal butter or olive oil together with an equal quantity of crushed tamarind seeds. A teaspoon of this fried product, taken together with honey and milk before bed, increases virility and cures premature ejaculation, according to traditional Indian herbal medicine.
Arjuna: Terminalia arjuna, is a tree found in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. A decoction of the powdered white bark with milk is alleged to be an effective sex stimulant if taken regularly over a period of time. Further uses suggested in Ayurvedic medicine include treatment of asthma and heart disorders.
Butea: The leaves of the Indian tree Butea monosperma, “Flame of the forest”, have been used in Indian herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac and to stop bleeding and diarrhoea. However, do note that an infusion of the leaves is also said to lower blood sugar, which could have detrimental effects.
Castus: Saussurea lappa (Compositae), also known in Chinese herbal medicine as mu xiang, occurs amongst other places, in Kashmir at an altitude of 2,500 - 4,000 metres above sea level. The root of the plant is well known in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac, and contains an essential oil that is partly excreted in urine. During the passage of urine through the urethra the presence of the oil causes considerable irritation, which can give rise to a somewhat painful erection. This mechanism is similar to that of Spanish fly.
Cardamom: Powdered cardamom seeds, boiled with milk, produce a remedy against impotence and premature ejaculation, when taken together with honey in the evening. At least according to traditional Indian herbal medicine; but be careful as excessive use might lead to impotency, according to the same sources.
Hydrophilia: Asteracanthus longifolia is a stout, rough, thorny annual plant occurring in swamps in India and Pakistan. The seeds, the dried plant and the roots are used as a popular aphrodisiac. Fifty grams of the root boiled with one litre of water until the volume has been reduced to half a litre will provide a tonic of which three tablespoons should be taken daily for optimal effects.
Indian aloe: Aloe barbedensis of the Liliaceae family, is a 50-80 centimetre high plant with long, fleshy leaves and small yellow or orange flowers. The leaves are believed to be a useful aphrodisiac, but the skin must be removed before administration.
Indian liquorice: is a common name of the root of Abrus precatorius. However, it is the seeds, sometimes known as jequirity, that are believed to be an aphrodisiac. Do note that they contain the extremely toxic polypeptide abrin, which is as toxic as ricin, and five crushed seeds have been a lethal dose. During the early 20th Century, the seeds were used in India to poison English cavalry horses, although the normal use of the seeds is for ornamental purposes, e.g. in necklaces.
Indian mallow: Abutilon indicum has seeds which are believed to be both an aphrodisiac and a laxative (a rather bizarre combination of properties). Its leaves have been used to treat diarrhoea as well as Gonorrhoea and bladder inflammations.
Kuthimithi: All parts of the shrub Withania somnifera, known as Winter Cherry, Kuthimithi or under its Sanskrit name Ashwagandha, are said to promote libido, with the root being the most potent part. A traditional Indian recipe calls for two to four grams of the powdered root to be taken with milk. The plant belongs to the potato family, Solanaceae, but contains relatively few tropane alkaloids. However, somniferine is present, an alkaloid which can induce sleep if taken in sufficient quantities.
Salt: Sodium chloride can be regarded as the most basic spice. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, rock salt obtained from the salt mines of Sindh was considered to be an aphrodisiac and a heart tonic.
The Kama Sutra
Otherwise known as Aphorisms on Love, by Vatsyayana, The Kama Sutra is a classical Indian treatise on the art of making love and related subjects. Its exact date of origin is not known, only that it must have been written between the first and the sixth century, A.D. It was first translated into English in 1883 by Sir Richard F. Burton.
Part seven deals with methods of “attracting others to yourself” and contains numerous recipes for internal as well as external use. Many of them are based on plants which are identified only by their Hindi names, and which are virtually impossible to obtain outside of India.
To make a woman surrender: If a man wants to make a woman subject to his will, he can prepare a mixture of the powders of white thorn apple Datura stramonium (Warning extremely toxic), long pepper (tippali, Piper longum) and black pepper, combine it with honey and anoint his penis before intercourse. It should be noted that the tropane alkaloids of the thorn apple will be readily reabsorbed through the mucous membranes of the penis and the vagina, and might cause severe poisoning. Alternative, and less risky, ointments to achieve the same purpose include constituents such as flowers thrown on a human corpse when carried out to be burned and the remains of a kite that has died a natural death. Another suggestion, to apply a mixture of arsenic and honey to the penis just before intercourse would also be extremely dangerous to both parties.
Increase sexual vigour: Several Kama Sutra preparations are said to increase sexual vigour. The easiest to prepare consists of equal parts of ghee (clarified butter), honey, sugar, liquorice, the juice of fennel bulbs and milk. This is “a nectar-like composition” which is “provocative of sexual vigour” and a “preservative of life”. Milk, liquorice and sugar/honey play a central role in many of the recipes. Additional ingredients can include the asparagus relative shitawari (Asparagus racemosus), long pepper (Piper longum) and the seeds or roots of Trapa bispinosa.
Slightly more exotic is the suggestion to boil the testicle of a ram or goat in milk, add sugar, and drink the concoction. The Kama Sutra does not specify whether the testicle should be pureed before serving.
