Humans are absolutely passionate when it comes to searching for passion.聽The variety of substances that have been tried over the years to provoke sexual desire is truly astounding.聽Bird鈥檚 nest soup and ginseng were ancient Chinese favourites, while the Kama Sutra, compiled between 100 and 300 AD, recommended an elixir made of honey, milk, liquorice and fennel juice.聽Pliny, the Roman philosopher, believed that consuming a lizard drowned in urine had an aphrodisiac effect on the person who donated the fluid.聽People who were adverse to lizard consumption could resort to dining on the right lobe of a vulture鈥檚 lung.聽Foods that resembled appropriate parts of the human anatomy were especially prized.聽Avocados were a turn on for the Aztecs and famed European herbalist Nicolas Culpepper recommended asparagus for stirring up bodily lust.聽Sixteenth century Italian physician, Dr. Leonardo Fioravanti, prescribed a tonic of nuts and cinnamon sticks for men who needed a little help.聽Casanova downed oysters regularly, supposedly because of their resemblance to the female private parts. Rhinoceros horn, nutmeg, truffles, deer antlers, elk horns, seal penises, ground goat testicles (only the left one), M&Ms (the greens) and of course wild oats have all been touted to boost the libido.聽
You might think that these attempts to aid sexual performance owed their popularity to a less scientifically sophisticated, bygone era, but you would be wrong.聽There are more purported aphrodisiacs available today than at any other time in our history.聽
Corynanthe yohimbe is a tree that grows in West Africa.聽Various preparations of its bark have long been used to treat sexual dysfunction and modern research bears out the folklore, at least to a degree.聽Yohimbine, found in the bark, blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors on nerve cells-a complicated way of saying it can increase blood flow to the penis.聽An analysis of yohimbine studies shows that 30% of men using it achieved satisfactory erections compared with 14% on placebo.聽This may sound better than it really is; the data actually show that about six men would have to be treated for one to be helped significantly.聽(For Viagra, the ratio is 2 to 1). Then of course there is the usual problem with herbal remedies, namely lack of regulation to ensure that the product really contains what it is supposed to contain.聽Yohimbine hydrochloride is available as a prescription drug and has a greater potential for success.聽 Interestingly, in rats, as well as in Nile crocodiles, yohimbine seems to increase not only performance, but the libido as well.聽Once again, there is a lack of human evidence in this area, but unfortunately it is well known that yohimbine can cause anxiety, palpitations and sleeplessness.
L-arginine, a commonly occurring amino acid, is also receiving attention as a performance enhancer.聽It is the raw material our body uses to produce nitric oxide, a compound that produces smooth muscle relaxation.聽In fact, Viagra works by blocking an enzyme that interferes with nitric oxide activity.聽Again, there is a lack of human data on arginine, but in theory it should have an effect.聽Jed Kaminetsky, a New York urologist sure things so.聽He has formulated 鈥淒r. K鈥檚 Dream Cream鈥� for women, which he says increases blood flow to the essential area and increases pleasure.
If none of this appeals, you may consider a trip to Scotland.聽The tourist board there has launched a campaign that features 鈥渁phrodisiac haggis.鈥澛燞eavenly Haggis is made with apricots, figs and pine nuts, in addition to the usual less appetizing components.聽Hot鈥檔 Horny Devil Haggis turns you on with chili and Cajun spices.聽Or you may want to check out the Aphrodisiac Restaurant in Singapore which has special menus tailored to the needs of men and women.聽In Italy, people travel from all over to 鈥淐ascina Orlowsky鈥� in Piedmont to feast on 鈥渇rittata afrodisica鈥� or aphrodisiac omelet.聽But the hottest spot these days seems to be 鈥淭antra鈥� in Miami鈥檚 South Beach.聽The signature Tantra plate has oysters and barbecued eel and can be washed down with a shot of rum, vodka and peach schnapps, fortified with a blend of aphrodisiac herbs.聽I think it would work even better if they added some Swamp Rabbit Milk.
