Aphrodisiacs: Potent Potions or Perilous Poisons
Of all the Greek gods and goddesses none have affected us more than Aphrodite, goddess of sexual love and beauty. It is from her name that we get the term aphrodisiac. An aphrodisiac or "miracle sexual stimulant" is a food, drink or device to increase ecstasy levels, or is it? For centuries man has been searching the earth for that one drug to enhance sexual pleasure. Throughout history, man's quest for aphrodisiacs has lead him to consume oysters, rhinoceros horns, the sex organs of rabbits, and hundreds of other substances (True,2001). Other types of aphrodisiacs that are highly-sought after are plants, animals, food, and perfumes.
One such miracle plant with supposedly highly aphrodisiatic powers was the wild orchid called satyrion. This Greek pleasure plant was dried and powdered to produce a very potent nectar which when added to wine drove one wild with passion. Unfortunately, this potentially pleasure-altering substance was lost to history and is no longer known. Another commonly used sexual stimulant throughout history has been marijuana. Unlike satyrion marijuana is still found in great abundance, but it is an illegal plant. Though satyrion was legal most people would prefer the sexual effects from marijuana.
Animals have long since played a part in the human quest for sexual satisfaction, and often have paid the price with their lives. One good example would be the endangered rhino. Villagers often killed them exclusively for their valuable horn. the horn was ground up and placed in powdered form in alcoholic beverages for enhanced sexual pleasure. This is thought to be the origin of the beloved term "horny." Other animals who have become road kill for man's sex drive are tigers who lost their penises, bears who were depawed, and yellow dogs for who knows why. Cats have been boiled alive and snake poop has been collected all in the name of love (True,2001).
Of all of the animal aphrodisiacs the most notorious has to be Spanish Fly. While not really a fly, this small beetle has caused quite a sexual sensation. Although often ingested as a drug intended to promote party paranoia it also can be applied directly to sex organs. It produces an itching, burning sensation that causes erections. Unfortunately, the permanent side-effects including genital damage and death could easily kill the mood or the user (True,2001).
On a more tastier note food is thought to be a very powerful aphrodisiac. Raw oysters rank at the top because of their similar size and shape to human testicles. It is rumoured that Casanova consumed 50 raw oysters a day to maintain his latin lover escapades. Another shapely aphrodisiac is the banana(imagine that?). Strawberries and caviar are also considered foods of love.
Chocolate is by far the most well-loved aphrodisiac of all whether it actually enhances sexual desire or not. Does anyone really need an excuse to devour chocolate anyway? Apparently, not! Montezuma drank 50 cups of hot chocolate before sex. Lucky Mrs. Montezuma(Marriage Partnership, Fall 2000).
If eating is not your pleasure then maybe your nose knows what excites you. Perfumes have been used throughout history to attract the opposite sex. Perfumes duplicate human Pheromones which are biochemicals secreted outside the body or more commonly known as "sex attractants." Pheromones may be exactly the "body chemistry" that attracts people to each other. Perfumes with muskey scents have become popular and presumably increase sexual attractiveness, perhaps because they smell like pheremones(Delamater,245).
Despite over hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on these so called "miracle sexual stimulants," the FDA declared that there is no scientific proof that any of the aforementioned cures actually work(True,2001). It is excellent marketing and human desparation that make these love cures so popular. Everyone is willing to try something once. It may be a psychological or mental thing that will make an aphrodisiac work(Fort Worth Business Press,2001).
The best aphrodisiac of all can't be bought online, in stores, off television, or ordered from a magazine. Sex, sleep and good health can be the best aphrodisiac of all. Regular lovemaking makes you want it more often(Chatelaine,2001). Improving your knowledge of the human body including erogenous zones is a lot safer than drugs and a lot less expensive. A few well-placed kisses can still provide the best erotic rush(Moorehead,2001).
REFERENCE:
Boost Your Limbido the Healthy Way. Marriage Partnerships,
Fall2001. Vol. 17 Issue 3, p10, 1/2p.
DeLamater, John D. Understaning Human Sexuality 7th Edition.
Von Hoffman Press Inc. 2000.
Letsche, Amber. Aphrodisiac-seeking hopefuls fall for Niagara.
Fort Worth Business Press, 03/16/2001. Vol. 13 Issue 47,
p47
Moorehead, Emily. Sex Scrolls. Sexscrolls.com/article1007
Peters, Diane. Great Sex.... at any age. Chatelaine,
May2001,VOl. 74 Issue 5, p74.
True II, George Nava. Aphrodisiacs: Love Potions or Poisons?
http://www.netasia.net/users/truehealth/Aphrodisiacs.htm
http://www.sexscrolls.com/article1007.html
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