The Long and Intriguing History of Natural Aphrodisiacs

Good sex isn’t just about the chemistry between two people. For centuries, humankind has been looking for ways to make intimate experiences even more exciting. This is the main reason why different foods and herbs have been used for their ability to boost arousal and enhance performance.

These foods and herbs are called aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs have a long and intriguing history. For centuries, some have been recognized as a symbol of sexuality and revered for their potency. Today, the Western world is only beginning to rediscover the value of aphrodisiacs.

Ancient Civilizations And Sexual Power

The history of aphrodisiacs starts with ancient civilizations.

There’s some evidence from 3150 BC that aphrodisiacs were recognized and used in Ancient Egypt. According to Egyptians, lilies soaked in wine could be used to heighten arousal and improve sexual experiences.

The powerful female warriors called Amazons also had a pretty good idea about aphrodisiac foods and herbs. They had various practices pertaining to the men that they captured and used for their own sexual satisfaction.

Romans were interested in boosting their libidos, as well. Various potions and powders were sold on the Roman markets to improve fertility and maximize sexual desire.

Even the Bible contains references to herbs being used as aphrodisiacs. Mandrake root is being given to the barren Rachel as an attempt to enhance her fertility. There are several other Biblical references pertaining to the aphrodisiac use of the root, as well.

It’s difficult to find one ancient civilization that didn’t use food or plants to enhance sexual practices. Greeks, Chinese and Assyrians all experimented with plants and foods from animal origin in an attempt to discover potent aphrodisiacs. Today, the popularity of some of their findings is still high.

Sexual Desire Takes Over Europe

Many royals in Europe were interested in the amazing potency of herbs and plants. There’s historic evidence that kings, their concubines and queens attempted to enhance sex through the use of aphrodisiacs.

According to some claims, Henry IV of England consumed Spanish fly – a species capable of inflaming the genitals, thus giving men a longer erection. While Spanish fly ingestion is considered dangerous due to the possible health risks, there are numerous historical figures that have given it a try. Marquis de Sade is one of them.

In the 14th century, healers and medics began describing the medicinal properties of plants on the basis of their form. Walnuts, for example, were seen as resembling the male testicles. This is the main reason why many relies on the delicious nuts to boost their fertility.

The very same applied to various phallus-shaped roots, fruits and veggies.

Experiments with aphrodisiacs weren’t limited to the royals at the time. It’s said that Casanova tested many foods for their ability to improve his love-making skills. One of Casanova’s favorites was oysters. Today, we know that oysters a very high in zinc – a characteristic essential for enhancing male fertility and boosting testosterone production.

Some Of The World’s Weirdest Aphrodisiacs

Apart from discovering many aphrodisiacs that are still being used today, the world has experimented with an array of bizarre ingredients in the pursuit of better sex.

In Zimbabwe, baboon urine is considered a potent sexual stimulant. When drunk with beer, it’s considered to boost sexual desire.

In many Asian countries, tiger penis is linked to enhanced male stamina. This is yet another reason why the beautiful creatures have been hunted mercilessly, leading to a major reduction in the world’s tiger population.

Every part of the world has its local ingredients that are a part of traditional cuisine and that are also recognized as an aphrodisiac. In Japan, the blow fish is an ingredient in a popular meal. It’s also seen as a food that maximizes the libido. In China, a powder made from the horn of the rhinoceros has long been considered an aphrodisiac.

The erotic power of food and spices is still incredibly enticing. Food and sex are profoundly linked to each other – chances are that you’re already thinking about chocolate, whipped cream and strawberries (two of these erotic foods being actual aphrodisiacs themselves).

Experimenting with such natural products it’s definitely fun. On top of that, it can potentially lead to better sex and who doesn’t want that?