An aphrodisiac is any substance that enhances sex drive and/or sexual pleasure. Most aphrodisiacs also heighten other aspects of our sensory experiences such as sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. Such awareness contributes to sexual arousal and pleasure.
Unfortunately there is more folklore than science when it comes to aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs were first sought out as a remedy for various sexual anxieties including fears of inadequate performance as well as a need to increase fertility/potency. For example, 5000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians were producing herbal aphrodisiacs to stimulate sexual appetite and prolong performance. The ancient Greeks and Romans also wrote of effective aphrodisiacs for both men and women, both as a perfume and as a massage oil.
In our modern times, we have many different companies trying to sell us a remedy for all kinds of sexual issues, or simply to improve what we’ve got. However, there is little, if any scientific proof for most of these over-the-counter remedies that promise to cure all kinds of sexual dysfunction.
So why are we still talking about aphrodisiacs? For starters, the human race has a long history of such beliefs, and like modern man, is always searching for some substance to make us better lovers, etc. In the past, eating the sex organs of certain animals who are known as great procreators (like rabbits) was believed to enhance sex. Spices, such as curries and chilies have also been viewed as aphrodisiacs because they cause the same physiological responses (rapid heart rate, sweating) as sex. Other foods were also glorified as aphrodisiacs based on their rarity and mystery. And still others because they resembled genitalia (like oysters and rhinoceros horn). At one time, chocolate was also considered an important aphrodisiac, but its reputation wore off once it became readily available.
Even though some people will swear something works, we must not underestimate the power of the mind. There is something called the placebo effect, which essentially means that if you tell someone this will work, the mind has the power to make it so (so if you think you are ingesting something that will make you more horny, you will likely experience a sexual response, even if all you are ingesting is a sugar pill). Because of this effect, aphrodisiacs are difficult to test scientifically in the population, and would require more rigorous laboratory testing on humans. The scientific community pretty much agrees that there hasn’t been much conclusive evidence that any food works as an aphrodisiac.
That is not to say that some foods we consider “sexy” or erotic have zero impact. Think of a meal of oysters, wine, and chocolate-covered strawberries that you feed to each other. Sounds pretty romantic and erotic doesn’t it? But it is the context, the textures, the smells, the tastes of these that can create the environment for increasing your interest in following this up with sex, not the actual properties of these foods.
Nevertheless, there is a long list of foods that some have claimed, through the ages, to enhance sexuality. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to include them in a wonderful romantic meal. These foods include: figs, apricots, peaches, bananas, aniseed, asparagus, almonds, arugula, avocados, basil, carrots, chocolate, red wine, coffee, garlic, ginger, honey, licorice, mustard, nutmeg, oysters, pine nuts, pineapple, berries, truffles, vanilla, and artichokes.
Bottom line: When it comes to love and sex, it seems that myth is mightier than science. We still want to believe that we could improve our sexuality simply by ingesting something. The best aphrodisiac is a healthy mind and body. Exercising, eating well, and maintaining a less stressful life all contribute to enhancing our sexuality. And remember: the largest sex organ is your brain/mind.