Aphrodisiacs are sexual enhancers that are considered to increase one’s chance at a stunning and satisfying sexual encounter. The Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, lends her name to these magical substances that are said to seduce any person who consumes them. Some of the commonly claimed aphrodisiacs include oysters, chocolates, ginseng, garlic, honey, bananas, carrots, Spanish fly, and rhino horn. Historically, aphrodisiacs were chosen for their resemblance to male or female sexual organs, their aroma, or for their chemical powers to arouse human beings. Some of popular aphrodisiacs include:

Chocolate: Almost synonymous with all things romantic, chocolate is made from the fruit of the Cacao tree which the Mayans called “the food of the gods.” Chocolate contains phenylethylamine and serotonin which are naturally found in the human body when we are happy, euphoric, and feel on top of the world.

Chili Peppers: create similar physiological reactions to those while having sex, such as sweating and increased blood circulation and heart rate.

Bananas: are primarily considered an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape. It is also rich in potassium and Vitamin B, which are found to be vital for the production of sex hormones.

Honey: Ancient Persians drank Mead, a fermented drink created from honey, in order to promote sexual desire. In fact, newlyweds drank Mead daily for a month during the honey month or the honeymoon. Enriched with vitamin B and boron, which is found to assist in body metabolism and use of estrogen, it is even claimed to increase the levels of testosterone.

Oysters: It was the Romans who first declared the aphrodisiac qualities of oysters, primarily because they resemble the female sexual organ. They are high in zinc, which is said to help in promoting sexual prowess in men. In addition, oysters contain D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate which may assist in releasing of both male and female sex hormones.

In earlier times, overall nutritional levels were low due to undernourishment and lack of nourishing foods. And thus the foods and spices that were found to be highly nutritive had an overall effect on the health of a person and also saw an increase in sexual desire. This accounts for the high nutritive value of many aphrodisiacs. In today’s world, however, most people are healthier and have access to all kinds of foods rich in various vitamins and minerals. While most aphrodisiacs may strengthen the consumer’s health, there are some that may be harmful and should be avoided. The Spanish fly, which is made of dried beetle remains, is said to arouse sexual desire because it irritates the urinary and genital tracts, causing increased blood flow to this part of the body. However, Spanish fly can, in fact, burn the mouth and throat and cause genitourinary infections. It can also be fatal.

Do Aphrodisiacs Really Work? The answer to that is that they work if you want them to work; meaning if you think that the aphrodisiac is working, then it will show the desired results in the form of sexual desire and cravings. Research studies indicate that subjects who consumed aphrodisiacs and subjects given placebos show the same results, because both groups thought they were given substances that would enhance their sexuality. The fact that you are using an aphrodisiac seems to affect the mind more than the body, so perhaps it is in fact the confidence instilled in the person that is responsible for increased sexual behavior. The mind is the strongest aphrodisiac there is.