A new study has found that there genuinely are numerous subtle genetic differences between men’s and women’s brains.
The finding, made at Uppsala University in Sweden, and published in the journal PLoS Genetics, could help explain some of the differences in the way mental traits and skills are said to differ between the sexes. For example, women are generally considered more compassionate and better at empathising, whilst men are more prone to aggression and risk-taking.
These gender differences are widely accepted, but natural and social scientists have long argued about the extent to which they are rooted in our underlying biology, or whether they are learnt through social roles.
Hundreds of genes are switched on and off differently within the cerebral cortex, which is the grey matter involved in memory, thought, reasoning, attention and language.
The study showed that while there are no sex differences in general intelligence, and both sexes share the same basic genes, there are key differences in their expression or activity. Women tend to have stronger visual memories, while men are more proficient at visualising objects when rotated in space. It has been suggested that this may reflect the way men generally like to navigate by reading maps, whilst many women prefer to remember landmarks.
The study, led by Dr Elena Jazin, does not directly prove that any of these traits are related to differences in gene activity, but it does show a contrasting genetic architecture of male and female brains that could plausibly contribute.
The researchers said:
While the two sexes have the same basic genes, many of these are more active in the brains of only one sex. These gender-specific patterns of gene expression could affect many aspects of behaviour
Although this doesn’t prove we are programmed to think in a certain way, it leaves the possibility open. And the autors wrote:
The obvious question to follow is whether or not these signatures of sex in the brain have physiological significance for brain physiology and/or behaviour
Our results suggest that variation in expression of genes in the brain may be an important component of behavioural variation within as well as between species.
Dr Jazin also noted:
Knowledge about gender differences is important for many reasons. For example, this information may be used in the future to calculate medical dosages, as well as for other treatments of diseases or damage to the brain.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, of the University of Cambridge, who had suggested the existence of “empathising-type” and “systemising-type” brains commented:
This is a very original study, testing which genes are expressed differently in males and females across different primate species. It confirms the supposition that genetic sex differences are expressed not just in the secondary sexual characteristics in the body, but in the brain.
Finding genes that are conserved across species points to the evolution of these genetic sex differences, and finding them in the brain suggests that they may in part influence the way the mind works, and in part influence our behaviour.
The work could also explain sex variations in mental health and neurological diseases, such as depression and Alzheimer’s.
Posted by Jonathan as Anthropology, Biology at 2:30 AM EDT
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Numerous animal preparations with little or no nutritious value have been used as aphrodisiacs, throughout the years.
According to a medieval recipe, black ants would be dried, and mixed with olive oil immediately before consumption. Lizards were also highly regarded by both Arabs and Southern Europeans - they would dry the lizard, pulverise it and consume the powder with a sweet white wine. Alternatively, the lizard could also be the main constituent of a more elaborate dish.
In “The Perfumed Garden”, it is suggested that rubbing the penis and the vulva with the bile of a jackal will make those parts more willing for sex. The Perfumed Garden goes on to note that a man can melt down fat from the hump of a camel and rub his penis with it, just before sex. It will then perform wonders, and the woman will praise it for its work; the book asserts (or, at least it will act as a lubricant).
Leeches were used to increase the size of the penis - They are put in a bottle, which is kept enclosed in the warmth of a dunghill until the leeches have turned into a homogenous mass - Then this substance is used as a liniment for anointing the penis.
According to Pliny, the gall of a boar would stimulate an erection. And, in some Asian countries, even gallstones are believed to be an aphrodisiac, and therefore can have a market value of many tens of thousands of dollars per kilo.
The flesh of the Nilgiri Languor and the lion-tailed macaque is reputed for its aphrodisiacal properties, according to Ramachandran et al. (1987).
In Hong Kong, certain shark species can fetch hundreds of dollars apiece, because of the demand for shark fins as an aphrodisiac. The fins are removed, dried for two days and then cooked into shark fin soup.
Asses’ milk had a reputation as an aphrodisiac amongst the Romans and Arabs, but mainly when used topically. Rubbing the genitals twice a day with the milk allegedly had beneficial effects; and according to “The Perfumed Garden”, the virile member would become “uncommonly strong and vigorous”. It is also supposed to have effects on women - Poppea, the wife of the Roman emperor Nero, is said to have bathed in it.
Ambergris: is a product derived from certain whales, and can occasionally be found on ocean beaches. It is extremely expensive and used for perfume production. According to Arabic folklore it is also an aphrodisiac. Dr. SA Taha and colleagues reported that in rats, ambrein, a constituent of ambergris, produced “recurrent episodes of penile erection, a dose-dependent, vigorous and repetitive increase in intromissions and an increased anogenital investigatory behaviour“.
Antlers: Most likely because of their similarity to an erect penis, horns and antlers have long been used as aphrodisiacs, especially in Eastern Asia. Reindeer shed their antlers annually, and these abandoned reindeer antlers are often imported to Japan as aphrodisiacs. The Tibetan Red Deer (Cervus elaphus wallichi) has long been listed as extinct by the World Conservation Union, but a herd of 200 animals was discovered fairly recently about 100 miles east of Lhasa, Tibet, on an alpine meadow, at an altitude of about 4,000 meters. The reason for their earlier supposed extinction (and their current threat), is that they are coveted for their velvety antlers, which are highly prized as aphrodisiacs.
Chan Su: is a traditional Chinese medication used, amongst other things, as a topical anaesthetic. It is prepared from the skin of the toad Bufo bufo gargarizans and contains bufadienolides and bufotenine. Several fatalities have been reported over the years, as a result of ingestion of this drug (the deaths were caused by cardiac dysrhythmia). Even when used topically, Chan Su is not in any way an amorous adjuvant, when ingested, its contents of cardio-active steroids such as resibufogenin, bufalin and cinobufagin, is certain to have detrimental effects.
Oysters: During the time of the Roman Empire oysters enjoyed an aphrodisiac reputation, which has only increased over the ages. Oysters are low in fat and high in minerals, and so are therefore quite healthy foods. Phosphorus, Iodine and Zinc are beneficial, especially Zinc, which is said to increase sperm and testosterone production, as well as the secretion of vaginal lubricant.
On the other hand, according to Norman Lewis in his book “Aphrodisiacs I Have Known“, a group of male pearl-divers on the island of Kamaran (off the Arabian coast) get most of their nourishment from oysters - and have very low sex drives.
One reason for the popularity of seafood, and oysters in particular, could be that such food generally is light, so you do not end up over-stuffed (and then underperforming) after half a dozen oysters. Casanova is said to have been a firm believer in oysters, eating fifty of them raw every morning in his bath, together with the lady he fancied at that moment.
Rhino Horn: Powdered rhinoceros horns are regarded as something of a panacea in Eastern Asia, believed effective against anything from nosebleeds and headaches to diphtheria and food poisoning. In addition, they are widely believed to increase male sexual endurance, including the ability to achieve an erection. However, it should be noted that the original rhino aphrodisiac was the dried penis, and not the horn. Further, widespread poaching of rhinos has led to all five rhino species being included on the list of endangered animals.
A rhino’s horn is not attached to its skull, and so is therefore not a true horn, but a growth of densely compressed dermal fibres, made up of keratin; which is the same material that is found in hair and nails. Consequently, consumption of powdered nail clippings could be expected to provide more or less the same results as a rhino’s horn.
Inagaki and Oida investigated the low molecular weight constituents of rhino horn, and found Sugar, Phosphorous and Ethanolamine are present along with several free amino acids, such as Aspartic acid, Threonine, Ornithine, Lysine, Histidine and Arginine (which, people have speculated, may increase the intensity of sensation during sex).
The use of rhino horns (and tiger bones) for medical purposes was declared illegal by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in 1993.
Snake Blood: In parts of Eastern Asia snake blood is used to boost the flagging male libido. The exact snake species doesn’t really matter as long as it’s truly poisonous, although cobras seem to be favoured. It is claimed that the best effects are obtained from fresh blood, and in Malaysia, special parlours exist where live snakes are served. The snake tail is pierced and the customer sucks blood from it for a few minutes to increase his capacity for love-making. No information is available on how often the same snake can be reused.
Tiger preparations: Tiger whiskers are used as an aphrodisiac in Indonesia, but in Malaysia the same preparation is regarded as a strong poison. In Eastern Asia, many tiger parts are considered to be powerful aphrodisiacs, including bones, fat, liver and penis. No doubt after consumption, just like the tiger, you will be able to make love for a full 15 seconds!
Animal genitalia aphrodisiacs
Organotherapy was popular with the Romans, for treating sexual problems. This therapy is based on the belief that the consumption of a healthy animal organ might cure illnesses in the corresponding human organ. Thus, the Romans ate all kinds of animal genitalia, including penises, wombs and testes, from animals ranging from monkeys to cocks. Apicus, in his “De re coquinaria” includes several recipes for stuffed womb of pig and cow, mainly as dishes to increase fertility.
The use of deer genitals as an aphrodisiac dates back to antiquity. Hippocrates recommends the penis, an organ that according to Dioscoride, can also be used as an antidote against snake bites.
Preparations of deer penis were included in several pharmacopoeias as late as the 18th century, for example, in Sweden, Pharmacopoeia Wirtenbergensis, published in 1750, recommends “Cervi Priapus” against poisoning, bladder stones and blood in the urine, and also claims that this is an excellent aphrodisiac.
Deer testicles, “Testiculi cervi”, were less popular, but nevertheless included in the famous “Pharmacologia” by Dale, published in 1696, as an aphrodisiac.
Finally, an indirect use of animal genitalia is suggested in “The Perfumed Garden”: Boil an ass’s penis together with onions and a large quantity of corn. Feed this dish to fowl, which you eat afterwards. This will apparently increase the size and capacity of a man’s penis.
Posted by Jonathan as Biology, History at 4:00 PM EDT
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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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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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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 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.
Posted by Jonathan as Art & Literature, Biology at 12:01 AM EDT
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For many of these alleged aphrodisiacs, there’s little evidence to support their claims. But still, it’s fun to speculate (and even more fun to experiment.)
Coco-de-Mer: The nut of Lodoicea maldivica is not only visually stimulating, because of its close resemblance to a vagina, but it apparently also acts as an aphrodisiac when consumed. Its interior is jelly-like when ripe and very much appreciated, not only for its aphrodisiacal qualities, but because of the taste. It is the largest fruit in the plant world, reaching a weight of 10-20kg.
Although commonly called a “double coconut”, it is not actually a coconut, since it grows on a fan-leaf palm, with the two sexes on different trees. The “female” trees do not bear fruit until they are more than 100 years old. And, they are confined to two out of the twelve islands of the Seychelles, with the annual production limited to just a few thousand nuts.
Coconut: Even regular coconuts might be useful, since the 14th century Arab geographer Ibn-Battuta spent some time on the Maldives, mainly living on fish and fresh coconuts. “I myself had four legitimate wives in this country, apart from the concubines. I was potent for them every day, and besides that spent the whole night with whoever’s turn it was. I lived like a prince for a year and a half.” (Not a bad feat acquiring four wives during such a short period. But maybe it was the fish diet rather than the coconuts…)
The betel nut: Early Indian writings suggested multiple uses of the betel nut, including inducing love, expelling wind, killing germs and subduing bad body odour.
The betel nut is the seed of Areca catechu, a single-trunked palm tree which can reach a height of 15-30 metre and which is endemic among the tropical islands of the south-western Pacific and adjacent shores.
The reddish-yellow “nuts”, which are actually berries, are 6-8 centimetres long and contain a small kernel. A slice of the nut is taken, sprinkled with finely ground lime and other suitable spices, and then wrapped in a leaf of betel pepper (Piper betle). This small package is then chewed.
Walnut: The Latin name of the genus walnut, Juglans, indicates its supposed properties: literally the name means the glans of Jupiter. The origin of the name might be the ancient Roman use of walnut in fertility rites, including the practice of throwing walnuts instead of rice after marriage ceremonies. Walnut preparations have also been used occasionally in France and Italy to increase desire.
Quince: Cydonia oblongata (C. vulgaris) (Rosaceae) has long been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean area. The fruit is believed to have been the golden apples of the Hesperides, according to the Greek physician Theophrastus (c.300 B.C.). Some sources also claim that it was the apple which lured Eve.
Due to its colour, fragrance and many seeds, the fruit was dedicated by the Greeks to Aphrodite, and by the Romans to Venus. It is a symbol of beauty, love, fertility and a happy marriage. The eating of a Quince pear at weddings is said to be preparative of sweet and delightful days between husband and wife. The high concentration of mucilage in the seeds makes them very popular as an aphrodisiac. Quince jelly has also a good reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Grapes: The Greek god Dionysus was not only the god of wine, but also the god of fertility and procreation. Naturally, even unfermented grapes were ascribed stimulating properties.
Ginkgo Nuts: Are the fruits of the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgoaceae), and reputedly the oldest surviving plant in the world. Its origin is in the Permian era, some 200-225 million years ago, and the present form of the ginkgo leaf has been essentially unchanged since Jurassic times, about 100 million years ago.
Its fruit resemble that of the persimmon in colour (pale orange), size and character, but it has unpleasant smelling flesh (the odour is the result of an abundant production of butyric acid). When the husks fall off, the nuts can be collected and dried. Then, once cracked open, the odourless contents can be eaten.
In Chinese herbal medicine ginkgo leaves have been used for more than 5,000 years against ailments ranging from asthma to impotence, although nowadays, the most common preparation is a standardised extract (containing 24% flavoglycosides). The nuts have also been used as a kidney yang tonic, which would imply such remarkable and diverse properties as increasing sexual energy, stopping bed-wetting and restoring hearing loss.
Ginkgo nuts can be roasted and eaten simply because they are delicious. In Japan they are eaten in an egg custard like dish called chawanmushi. Canned ginkgo nuts are available in Japan and China, and are also imported into some Western countries.
They contain very small quantities of a group of remarkable chemicals called ginkgolides; higher concentrations are found in the leaves and in the wood. The ginkgolides are highly modified di-terpenes containing a tertiary butyl group and a lactone ring system that is stable towards strong acids but readily hydrolysed by weak bases.
Pine seeds & nuts: appear to have a reputation as an aphrodisiac in the Mediterranean as well as in the East. Apicus, in his cookbook “De re coquinaria”, quoting the old Roman Marcus Terentius Varro, also called Reatimus (116-28 B.C.), suggests the use of pine seeds together with cooked onions, white mustard (Eruca sativa) and pepper.
Galen, a Greek of the second century A.D., recommended drinking a glassful of thick honey, and eating twenty almonds and one hundred pine nuts before going to bed. After repeating this for three nights, a man will acquire vigour for sex. Further, in “Ars Amatoria”, “The Art of Love”, the roman poet Ovid provides a list of aphrodisiacs which includes “the nuts that the sharp-leaved pine brings forth”.
There are several varieties of pine nut. The most common pine nuts, at least in Europe, are seeds of the Italian Stone Pine nut, Pinus pinea, and the Swiss Stone Pine, Pinus cembra. In the U.S., seeds of the Mexican Nut Pine, Pinus cembroides, are also marketed.
However, the most effective pine nuts come from Chilgoza Pine or Noosa Pine Pinus gerardiana. This pine grows in the north-western Himalayan Mountains from Afghanistan to Tibet at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 metres above sea level. The seeds are cylindrical and up to 2.5 cm long. One tree can bear up to 25 cones, each cone producing up to 100 seeds. The Chilgoza pine nuts are a staple food for the inhabitants of Kunawar, a region known for its high birth-rate. Attempts have been made to cultivate the chilgoza pine outside the Himalayas, but without success.
Pine nuts can be served as snacks (far better than popcorn during a romantic movie), and are also a major constituent of some aphrodisiac recipes.
Posted by Jonathan as Biology at 1:00 AM EDT
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Alcoholic beverages have been used to stimulate the libido since ancient times, although it should be obvious that excessive use will seriously hamper any attempt at love-making. Ovid, in “Ars amatoria” notes that “A real intoxication is ugly, but to pretend being drunk can often be helpful, then any (unintentional) bad manner will be attributed to the wine you pretend to have consumed”.
A moderate quantity of alcohol will reduce anxiety and release inhibitions, especially for strongly inhibited persons, however the sedative effects will soon become overpowering. It is generally recommended that in excess of half a gram of pure alcohol per kilo bodyweight should be avoided by anyone wanting to retain full amorous capabilities. Thus, at a bodyweight of 75kg, this would correspond to about half a bottle of wine.
There might also be other physiological effects. A 1994 study published in the scientific journal Nature claimed that consuming alcohol raised the testosterone level of women (normally, women produce about a tenth as much testosterone as men). According to Dr. Weil “additional small amounts can dramatically increase the libido. For women who lack sexual interest and desire, the treatment can be life-changing.”
Absinthe: is mainly an alcoholic extract of wormwood (Arthemisia absinthium), a plant that is rich in toxic compounds, such as the essential oils thujon and thujol.
Absinthe was used extensively at the end of the nineteenth century, as an aphrodisiac by many Europeans, especially French artists and intellectuals, of which, a notable character behind this Bohemian absinthe culture was the French poet Paul Verlaine.
Thujon has been used on a moderate scale as a remedy against intestinal worms, but habitual use on a large scale can result in blindness, cramps and damage to the nervous system. Thus, Absinthe was prohibited in France on 16th March 1915, and is now banned in most European countries because of its toxicity and habit-forming properties.
Beer: One might expect that beer, being a nourishing drink with fairly low alcohol content would be a good aphrodisiac. However, the only notable instance seems to be stout, which, according to Michel Jackson’s Beer Companion is seen as an aphrodisiac in some countries.
One possible explanation might be that beer (like all alcoholic beverages) lowers the production of the hormone Vasopressin in the body. This hormone controls, amongst other things, the reabsorption of primary urine - less vasopressin results in less reabsorption - and thus in more frequent trips to the toilet, especially after large quantities of liquid have been consumed.
Liqueurs: Several liqueurs developed in old monasteries have been attributed aphrodisiac effects. These liqueurs include chartreuse (especially the green variety) and Benedictine (although why monks should be so interested in aphrodisiacal liqueurs is anyone’s guess).
In Guadalajara, Mexico, a liqueur is produced from the allegedly aphrodisiacal plant Turnera diffusa, under the name Crème de Damiana. This liqueur is supposed to increase libido and counteract impotence.
White port: is held to be a far more powerful aphrodisiac than could be explained by its alcohol contents alone, especially when consumed together with wild strawberries. In contrast, red port appears to act as any other ordinary alcoholic beverage.
Wine: Suitably spiced, wine can be a potent aphrodisiac. Red Burgundy mixed with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and sugar is known as Hippocras aphrodisiac, and was recommended by the French author Rabelais in Gargantua and Pantagruel.
Aqua Mirabilis was used during the 17th century as a strengthening tonic and also as an aphrodisiac. It is prepared by letting finely ground cinnamon, galingale root, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary and thyme steep in claret for one week, and then straining the wine. The recommended dose is 1/4 bottle (180 ml) a day.
Aphrodisiacal Drugs
The search for drugs which could act as sexual stimulants is probably almost as old as the human sex drive. Originally, interest focussed on plant and animal preparations. Here are reviews of some pure chemicals, synthetic or isolated from plants:
Alkyl nitrites: Volatile alkyl-nitrites have been used during the past decades for “recreational purposes”, including intensify sexual experience. Alkyl nitrites are normally distributed in ampoules, which are opened and the vapours inhaled (”popping” and “snorting”). However, because of the route of administration it is extremely difficult to control the dosage, and consequently to ascertain whether dangerous quantities have
