Aphrodisiacs

What are Aphrodisiacs?

Named after the Greek goddess of love - Aphrodite - an aphrodisiac is any substance that stimulates and increases sexual desire and pleasure. Many foods and drinks fall under this category, and have been used as such throughout history. Certain herbal preparations have shown to stimulate our libido the strongest.

Types Of Aphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiacs can be divided into three main groups. These are food, herbal and synthetic aphrodisiacs. The following is a small overview:

Aphrodisiac Foods

Food-based aphrodisiacs rely on their gastronomical effects to enhance sexual drive and pleasure. In modern times, research has identified a number of active chemical constituents and nutrients contained within food that naturally increase our libido with long term use.

In past times, food aphrodisiacs were not really based on what we would call scientific today. Many traditional and folklore food aphrodisiacs were thought to be so because of the way they looked, or because of some mythological or spiritual story. While many foods indeed show aphrodisiac qualities, many were not more than a placebo, increasing sex drive though the force of belief.

Examples: Oysters / Bananas / Asparagus / Figs

Herbal Aphrodisiacs

Herbal aphrodisiacs have been used for thousands of years. Many cultures and traditions preserved knowledge about pleasure inducing and enhancing shrubs and herbs. They held great cultural significance and are still in use all over the world.

Unlike many foods, herbal aphrodisiacs have a more distinct chemical makeup, often containing alkaloids that strongly influence human behaviour. As such, many herbs have been used in traditional medicinal systems such as the Indian Ayurveda.

Examples: Maca / Damiana / Gingko Biloba / Ashwagandha / Yohimbe

Synthetic Aphrodisiacs - Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Drugs

These are man-made pills such as Viagra, synthesised scents and pheromones. Often, they are the product of chemical isolation of a single active constituent, often based on herbal aphrodisiacs.
With erectile dysfunction problems spreading, more drugs are being developed to address this specific issue. The most popular synthetic ED drug is Viagra, which has gained widespread cultural significance since its introduction in 1998.

Examples: Viagra / Cialis / Levitra / Staxyn / Stendra

Aphrodite – The Goddess of Love

Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, has inspired many a love story throughout human history. She is well known for the love she shared with those who came into contact with here, enchanting them into lust and wonder. It is only fitting then, that substances used by humans to fill themselves with this lust be named after her.

There are two main theological stories of how Aphrodite came to be. The most famous was portrayed in Hesiod's Theogony, in which it is told that she was born when Cronus cut off Uranus' genitals and threw them into the sea. The foam created by the genitals gave birth to Aphrodite (her name translates to foam-arisen). Hesiod wrote how the genitals “were carried over the sea a long time, and white foam arose from the immortal flesh; with it grew a girl. This scene was portrayed in the famous painting “The Birth Of Venus” in which Aphrodite’s journey to shore riding a giant scallop's shell was illustrated.

Maybe somewhat less epic is the second account of her birth states how she was simply the daughter of Zeus, the king of gods, and Dione, who is seen by some as his wife.

Aphrodite is said to be the image of a perfect woman, her beauty and lust were unbearable - to the point were many of the other Gods feared they would fall for her and be plunged into war with each other in an attempt to win her for themselves. For this reason, legend tells how Zeus wed her to Hephaestus, the god of smiting, craftsmanship, fire and volcanoes, as he was ugly and deformed – thereby neutralising any threat. However, this did not stop Aphrodite from sharing her lust. She was said to have taken many lovers, both gods and men. As a result other beings were thought to be born of her love.

As the symbol of passion, love and lust, she is the perfect patron for those looking to gain a boost to their libido, and is the reason these sexual stimulating foods, drinks and drugs are named as they are – aphrodisiacs.

The history of aphrodisiacs

To many, the word aphrodisiacs is unequivocally linked to oysters. While indeed they are said to stimulate our passion, they are by far not the only food to do so. In fact, many foods and herbs throughout the world have an effect on our libido. Considering the sheer amount of stimulating herbs, spread out all over the world, it is safe to assume that aphrodisiacs have been used since the dawn of mankind.

Have you ever found yourself attracted to the natural aroma of a person, or have you ever smelt one of their old shirts and thought of them? It is highly likely that pheromones are what‘s getting you going.
Prior to modern society, it would have been our natural scent and smell that acted as an aphrodisiac, which is also the one of the purposes of perfumes. Before the invention of soaps and perfumes, extracts and oils, the natural body odor of a person would be one of the ways to assess sexual potential of a partner. Our natural odors contain pheromones; these are chemicals that trigger primal responses by members of the same species that inhale them. It is the sex pheromones present within our natural musk that our ancient ancestors would have partly relied on to get their significant other in the mood.

It is worth noting, there is no point going unwashed thinking it will get you a date, you will encounter limited success, to say the least. Nowadays, fragrances and cleanliness have been heavily advertised, and thus seen as desirable. It is also worth mentioning that pheromones are odourless and are not detectable by the human sense of smell; what you smell on an unwashed person is sweat and dirt. It is the unfortunate case though that pheromones are washed away with this when you clean, so it is hard to have one without the other. Saying this, you can still produce pheromones whilst clean, they just won't be present in the amounts our unwashed ancestors had.

The magic of perfumes

It was around the time of Ancient Egypt that we know humans begun to take this concept of smell as attractive one step further - by developing perfumes. Cleopatra, the Egyptian ruler was said to have used perfumes made from bear grease and other ingredients to seduce her lovers. The ancient Romans were so large on the use of perfume to elicit sexual desire that they were reported to go through 2,800 tons of frankincense and 550 tons of myrrh a year. Other ingredients they used were the dried marrow of human bones, menstrual blood and parts of other animals – doesn’t sound to appealing really! These are of course, just a few examples, similar aphrodisiacs would have been found throughout the rest of the world as civilization and understanding developed.

It was also around this time era that theories on how foods could act as an aphrodisiac began to develop. The Roman physician Galen wrote how erections, fertility, lust and potency were caused by “wind”, and that by eating gassy food, (food that causes flatulence), you could restore the wind to your body and sort out all of your sexual problems. Today, aphrodisiacs are seen by most as something that inspires lust, but back then, both desire and sexual function were lumped together – as gas would solve them all. This belief was widely held all the way up until the 18th century.

The notion that smell acts as an aphrodisiac is something that is heavily marketed by our capitalist society. Industry first took the notion in 1882, when the perfume called “Fougere Royal” was released. It was supposed to be used by men to attract women, and the notion that perfumes are sexy still persists to this day.

Boost Your Sex Life

Everybody wants it - everybody does it - and let's face it, we need it: SEX. While it is not the solution to all problems in a relationship, it can help prevent problems. A sexually AND in everyday life satisfied partner is a happy partner. Here's what Zamnesia recommends:

• Hug it out

It's a fact that a 20-60 second hug triggers the release of oxytocin, a so called bonding hormone, providing a sense of emotional binding to your partner. Furthermore is it important how you deal with each other outside the bedroom. Holding hands, kissing and any other physical intimacy you share, will increase the anticipation of sex.

• Share your sexual dreams with your partner

Your biggest sex organ is your brain and a lack of mental stimulation can easily ruin your intercourse. Talk about it - or read out loud an erotic book together, play roles, introduce sex toys to your mattress sport or recapitulate a special sexual adventure you shared - use your brain.

• Never get tired of or too tired for sex

Don't spend the whole afternoon surfing the web or posting and reading at Facebook nor let your partner do or you (or both of you) will not be in proper mental condition for mutually satisfying sexual activities when the bedtime comes.

Sex has an economic value - appreciate it! Besides being free and fun it's a perfect tension reliever. Use sex to restore intimacy and a sense of rejuvenation, it will make your bond much stronger.

• Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep and lack of sex go hand in hand. To gain energy and alertness for the next day, you need sufficient rest and what could be better than sex when you wake up, mentally relaxed and full of fresh drive. This power gradually degrades over the day and when you are tired and exhausted, your sex drive will be truncated. Fatigue lowers the testosterone level and has a negative impact on the libido.

• Touch

A tender touch raises the oxytocin level, a hormone that increases intimacy and decreases the cortisol level. In a highly demanding and at times depressing world, the comforting and caressing touch of a lover can make one's prospects and mood much brighter. Touch each other throughout the day and your sexual relationship will benefit from it.

• Share your desires

Your partner can not read your mind, no matter how close you feel. The intercourse will be the most satisfying when your partner knows your desires and predilections and the ability to openly and honestly express these sexual desires is the key to the most intense and sensual intimacy.

• Laugh More

Sex is fun, so don't be too serious. A good method to keep sex from getting boring is to sometimes try something potentially clumsy or precarious. And what's healthier than a good laugh with the one you love?

• Make Eye Contact

More than 80% of the perception is done through the eyes and is the initial communication method humans have and is a vital tool to create intimacy. During sexual activity, eye contact can shift an OK experience to a WOW! experience.