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An aphrodisiac, by its definition, is any food, drink, scent, drug, or device thought to cause or increase sexual desire or sexual responses. The word is named after Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty. The various agents thought to act as aphrodisiacs are too numerous to list. However, there are certain substances which are more well-known than others, such as cherries, pears, oysters, pine nuts, licorice, and Spanish Fly. Certain foods like chocolate which were once considered to enhance desire due to their rarity and the mystery surrounding them no longer fall into this category. What qualifies a food or other agent to be considered an aphrodisiac? There are several different reasons. For example, spicy foods make the list due to the similiarity of their physiological effects (sweating and increased heart rate) with sexual reactions. If a food or object resembled genitalia, then it was considered to have sexual powers. Ginseng (also known as the "man root") and oysters were two such substances. Seafood doesn't resemble any genital organ, but it was classified as an aphrodisiac because Aphrodite was born from the sea. Search the Internet and you can find numerous sites offering everything from sexuality-enhancing cookbooks (http://www.intercourses.com/index2.html ) to general information on aphrodisiacs ( http://www.santesson.com/aphrodis/aphrli... ). It needs to be noted, however, that in 1989, the FDA declared it has no scientific proof that any of these substances work to treat sexual dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Experts have found it difficult to obtain evidence due to two primary reasons. First of all, there is still a cultural taboo against lab studies which measure sexual stimulation. Secondly, some drugs considered as aphrodisiacs may change an individual's mood rather than affecting his or her sexual reaction. As a person's mood improves, sexual inhibitions become relaxed and sexual desire can result. The production and marketing of aphrodisiacs is a costly industry, and many feel that it is a rip off to consumers buying the wide variety of products currently for sale. Some aphrodisiacs are also deadly. For instance, Spanish Fly is a poison made from dried beetle remains. It causes irritation in the urogenital tract which results in a rush of blood to the sexual organs. Too much can be dangerous. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article The Scoop On Aphrodisiacs in Women's Sexuality is owned by Alyssa Skye. Permission to republish The Scoop On Aphrodisiacs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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