Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of t

Since the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, humans have been keen to partake of a variety of foods, drinks, herbs, and animal parts, to increase their sexual desire and performance. Do any of these love potions actually work? There has been much debate in recent times over the effectiveness of many of these products on the market at the moment. Coco Swan has waded through the promises, and the facts, to give you the answers.

An aphrodisiac is defined as “an agent which increases sexual desire”. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality. Aphrodite was said to consider sparrows sacred because of their loving natures and as a result they were often included in a variety of aphrodisiac brews.

Throughout time, many foods and drinks have had a reputation for making sex more pleasurable. Many wonder whether these results have been achieved from the placebo effect, whereby the participant expects a result, as opposed to there being any real effect. Every continent of the world has been involved in the production and consumption of aphrodisiacs. In ancient times people had to mainly rely on aphrodisiac plants, although animal parts were also used. Anise, carrot, basil, orchid bulbs, salvia, sage, rocket, fennel, turnips, pistachio nuts, the flesh of the skink lizard, and river snails were all thought to increase sexual performance. Interestingly, lettuce, dill, watercress, lentils, and water lilies were all avoided as they were considered to diminish sexual pleasure.

Aphrodisiac Supplements. Most of the aphrodisiacs found on the net or in health food stores, contain one or more of the following ingredients:

Arginine. Arginine is an amino acid found in eggs, nuts, meats, cheese and coconut milk. It increases blood flow to the genitals by forming nitric oxide in the body. It is said to enhance sexual desire in women when combined with other supplements.

Epimedium. Epimedium has supposedly been proven to increase sexual function of male animals. It acts as a sex hormone and may stimulate sexual desire in women who are deficient in sex hormones.

Fennel. This plant increases the libido of both male and female rates. Fennel contains compounds that mimic oestrogen. In doses greater than one teaspoon, it can be toxic.

Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of th

Throughout time, many foods and drinks have had a reputation for making sex more pleasurable. Many wonder whether these results have been achieved from the placebo effect, whereby the participant expects a result, as opposed to there being any real effect. Every continent of the world has been involved in the production and consumption of aphrodisiacs. In ancient times people had to mainly rely on aphrodisiac plants, although animal parts were also used. Anise, carrot, basil, orchid bulbs, salvia, sage, rocket, fennel, turnips, pistachio nuts, the flesh of the skink lizard, and river snails were all thought to increase sexual performance. Interestingly, lettuce, dill, watercress, lentils, and water lilies were all avoided as they were considered to diminish sexual pleasure.

Aphrodisiac Supplements. Most of the aphrodisiacs found on the net or in health food stores, contain one or more of the following ingredients:

Arginine. Arginine is an amino acid found in eggs, nuts, meats, cheese and coconut milk. It increases blood flow to the genitals by forming nitric oxide in the body. It is said to enhance sexual desire in women when combined with other supplements.

Epimedium. Epimedium has supposedly been proven to increase sexual function of male animals. It acts as a sex hormone and may stimulate sexual desire in women who are deficient in sex hormones.

Fennel. This plant increases the libido of both male and female rates. Fennel contains compounds that mimic oestrogen. In doses greater than one teaspoon, it can be toxic.

Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of t

Aphrodisiac Supplements. Most of the aphrodisiacs found on the net or in health food stores, contain one or more of the following ingredients:

Arginine. Arginine is an amino acid found in eggs, nuts, meats, cheese and coconut milk. It increases blood flow to the genitals by forming nitric oxide in the body. It is said to enhance sexual desire in women when combined with other supplements.

Epimedium. Epimedium has supposedly been proven to increase sexual function of male animals. It acts as a sex hormone and may stimulate sexual desire in women who are deficient in sex hormones.

Fennel. This plant increases the libido of both male and female rates. Fennel contains compounds that mimic oestrogen. In doses greater than one teaspoon, it can be toxic.

Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of t

Arginine. Arginine is an amino acid found in eggs, nuts, meats, cheese and coconut milk. It increases blood flow to the genitals by forming nitric oxide in the body. It is said to enhance sexual desire in women when combined with other supplements.

Epimedium. Epimedium has supposedly been proven to increase sexual function of male animals. It acts as a sex hormone and may stimulate sexual desire in women who are deficient in sex hormones.

Fennel. This plant increases the libido of both male and female rates. Fennel contains compounds that mimic oestrogen. In doses greater than one teaspoon, it can be toxic.

Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of t

Ginseng. Long touted as an aphrodisiac.

Rhino Horn. An illegal substance.

Spanish Fly. (Cantharides) The Spanish Fly is one of the most famous of aphrodisiacs. It is made by crushing a beetle. It has an unpleasant scent and a bitter flavour. It is sometimes given to farm animals to encourage them to mate. Cantharides causes inflammation of the genitals, painful urination, fever and a bloody discharge. It can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitalia, and can also cause convulsions and death. The difference between an effective dose and a dangerous dose is very slight. Cantharides are illegal in the US, except for the use of animal husbandry. The Spanish fly was also banned from the markets of Morocco in the 1990’s. Most products advertising Spanish fly in them now are just using a concoction of peppers.

Yohimbe. Yohimbe is both a herbal aphrodisiac and a prescription aphrodisiac. Yohimbe is used to treat erectile dysfunction in males. Yohimbe increases the dilation of blood vessels and blocks alpla-2 adrenergic receptors, both essential to achieve and maintain an erection. Yohimbe in its herbal form can be dangerous if taken in the wrong quantities.

Aphrodisiac Drugs. Here are medications that are used in prescription type medications to increase sexual desire and performance.

Testosterone. A decrease in sex drive occurs in persons with relatively low levels of testosterone (e.g.: post menopausal women). Libido has been clearly proven to be linked to sex hormone levels, including testosterone. Testosterone supplements will often increase libido. Natural testosterone production may be enhanced through the use of herbs such as tribulus terrestris or eurycoma longifolia. (More on these 2 little plants later.) Testosterone supplements are less useful in people who have normal testosterone levels because your body will react to the external testosterone supply by shutting down its own manufacture.

Bremelanotide. Formerly known as PT-141. Bremelanotide seems to be a true aphrodisiac. It is a new medication being used for the treatment of erectile difficulties in men and sexual dysfunction in women. Bremelanotide is the only known synthetic aphrodisiac ...Bremelanotide is used as a nasal spray. Unlike Viagra, it does not act upon the vascular system, but directly increases sexual desire. This drug was originally developed as a sunless tanning agent, until 80% of the original male volunteers noted spontaneous erections and increased sexual arousal as unexpected side effects.