Since ages, men and women have taken various plants, herbs, and fruits to enhance sexual pleasure. Sometimes these things turn towards the weird like love potions from dead beetles. Humans haven’t excluded anything in their search for getting turned on, and some of them may actually work.
What is an Aphrodisiac?
Anything that can enhance libido and sexual desire is called an aphrodisiac. Different cultures have their own set of aphrodisiacs based on location, climate, and other factors. For instance, ginseng has been used by the people of Asia for centuries to heighten sexual pleasure and intimacy. Tribes in the Amazon use seeds of a climbing plant called guarana as aphrodisiacs.
Currently, you will find many aphrodisiacs sold in the market. Some of them come as a liquid, some are pills, while others can be in powder form. Aphrodisiacs can be natural or made from synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs can be fruits, plants, seeds, spices, plant extracts, and so on.
How do Aphrodisiacs Work?
Aphrodisiacs can work in various ways. Some of them enhance your sexual desire by stimulating the mind and increasing sexual anticipation. Other aphrodisiacs may affect specific parts of your body like your genitals. They improve circulation and send more blood down to sexual organs to incite the feelings of sexual intercourse and physical desire.
We also have aphrodisiacs that increase the sex hormones in your body. For instance, you can take Tongkat Ali to boost testosterone, a sex hormone. Some aphrodisiacs relax your nerves and reduce inhibitions in the mind to help you get aroused naturally.
Aphrodisiacs work in many ways, as we said. Many companies also sell aphrodisiacs made from both natural and synthetic ingredients. The market is full of aphrodisiac products, and often people are confused as to what to buy.
Today, we will explore a few categories of aphrodisiacs that you can try to enhance your libido.
Foods with Aphrodisiac Properties
Nature has provided us with a lot of foods that can turn you on. Be it vegetables, fruits, or meat, eating certain foods can help increase your libido and sexual performance. We will discuss some foods you can include in your diet to enhance your sexual appetite and urges.
Chocolate
Chocolate can put in the mood for sex and prepare you for a great time in bed. Active compounds like phenylethylamine in chocolate generate an overall sense of wellbeing and incite excitement. A few chunks of chocolate after dinner can help you get aroused and look forward to some amazing sex.
You should go for quality dark chocolate that contains high amounts of cocoa solids. Dark chocolate is more potent than normal chocolate when it comes to aphrodisiac properties.
Oysters
Oysters have been touted to have aphrodisiac effects. People throughout history have used oysters to increase stamina and performance.
Oysters have a large amount of zinc that helps you produce the sex hormone testosterone. It can also facilitate sperm production and strengthen immunity.
Oysters can also boost your dopamine levels thanks to the amino acid tyrosine. Dopamine positively affects libido and helps you derive more pleasure and satisfaction out of sex.
Asparagus
In the 19th century, the French would give asparagus dishes to newlyweds to boost sex drive. Asparagus contains a number of stimulants that excite you sexually. It has a high content of potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin B that helps in getting you aroused.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber. The combination makes it great to boost stamina and improve your sexual performance. The magnesium present in pumpkin also relaxes and soothes your nerves, reducing stress and anxiety.
Overall, eating pumpkin can lower your stressors and help you focus on having a good time during sex.
Garlic
Garlic is a potent aphrodisiac even though you might hate the smell! It is also rich in allicin that aids circulation and improves your blood flow to the genitals. The same compound is also responsible for keeping your heart healthy.
Garlic can bring a change in your sex life only when you take it regularly. So include some spicy dishes in your diet or take pills to get the desired results.
Watermelon
Believe it or not, having some nice and sweet watermelon can bring sexual passion. Watermelon contains the amino acid citrulline that dilates and relaxes blood vessels. It acts just like Viagra and helps people with erectile dysfunction. As you release more citrulline, your blood vessels relax and allow more blood to flow.
As a result, it can increase sexual arousal.
Peanuts
Peanuts come with the amino acid L-arginine that improves sexual function in men. The amino acid is responsible for producing nitric oxide that dilates the blood vessels. Peanuts can be beneficial for people with erectile dysfunction and help them enjoy healthy sex life.
Cold Water Fish
Omega 3 in cold-water fish has many benefits, including making you sharp and focused. It can help improve your stamina and enhance sexual performance. Omega 3 also elevates your mood and creates a sense of wellbeing. As a result, you become more interested in sex.
You can eat sardines, salmon, herring, and other cold-water fish high in Omega 3.
Aphrodisiac Fruits
You can boost your libido and get in the mood by eating a range of delicious fruits. Some of them improve your circulation, while others have a positive effect on sex hormones. Other fruits may make you relaxed and help you focus on sex.
Let’s check out some fruits with aphrodisiac effects:
Strawberries
Strawberries were the symbol of Venus, the Roman god of love. They come with vitamin C which pumps blood throughout your body and sexual organs. Strawberries are also high in minerals that affect your sex drive like potassium, magnesium, and folate.
Having a few strawberries dipped in chocolate can provide sexual stimulation and natural arousal.
Apples
Apples can help men and women boost their sex drive. Researchers have found that young women who eat one apple each day have a better quality of sex life. Apple seems to offer the most advantages for women and can be more effective than chocolate and wine.
Apple also increases the blood flow to the vagina for pleasurable sex.
Figs
Some people consider fig to be the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate. Figs are high in amino acids and also provide a hint of ‘sexy’ in its appearance and shape.
Dates
Dates are also high in amino acids and help you increase sexual stamina. People in North African countries eat dates to have a night of passionate lovemaking. According to experts, eating dates can bring an improvement in sperm quality and quantity and boost male fertility. In women, dates can lead to bigger breasts too.
Avocados
The Aztecs used to call the avocado tree the testicle tree for the shape of the fruit. Avocados have a high content of folic acid and vitamin B9 that helps you produce more energy. And when you have more energy, you can have a great sexual performance.
Avocados are also rich in vitamin B6 that facilitates the production of the sex hormone testosterone. So it can increase your sexual drive and arousal.
Bananas
Bananas can be the perfect thing to increase the male sex drive, thanks to its bromelain enzyme. It also contains high amounts of potassium, vitamin B2, and riboflavin. Eating bananas can increase your energy levels and facilitate the production of sex hormones.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates can improve blood flow and help in sexual arousal. It’s also rich in antioxidants and keeps you healthy. Research has some evidence to show pomegranates may also help in erectile dysfunction. Another study by Queen Margaret University showed pomegranates to boost testosterone levels in both males and females.
Cherries
Cherries look sexy and can make your sex life spicy! There is evidence that cherries raise testosterone levels and increase your sexual appetite. It is also rich in magnesium that helps to relax and get in the mood for sex.
Cherries can also have a positive effect on your mood due to the high content of antioxidants.
Goji Berries
Goji berries have been associated for a long time with fertility. The Asian people used the berries for its aphrodisiac properties from an early time. Goji berries increase sperm quantity and mobility resulting in improved sexual ability. It can also facilitate the production of testosterone and its recovery.
Herbs and Spices
Various herbs and spices have the power to upgrade your sex life and make it happen more often. You can prepare different dishes with the herbs and spices we discuss here to enjoy their aphrodisiac properties. Let’s check out a few herbs that also act as aphrodisiacs:
Gingko Biloba
The Gingko Biloba tree has been used for a long time to make herbal supplements. The ancient Chinese folks used the extract from the tree to treat various problems like depression and impaired sexual function.
Gingko Biloba can relax your blood vessels and improve circulation. That can help in arousal and increase anticipation for sex. People also report increased sexual desire and intense orgasms after taking Biloba supplements regularly.
The herb has proved beneficial in treating low libido caused by medications for depression.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one herb with versatile aphrodisiac effects. It is used to treat low libido and known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Fenugreek is rich in compounds that help the body produce more sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Men who take the herb regularly can experience stronger arousals and more orgasms. It also helps people with a low sex drive to have more sexual desire and natural arousal.
Saffron
We find the mention of saffron in Kamasutra, the Indian book of sex. Saffron is expensive but can have a positive effect on your sexual functions. It can bring down your stress and depression, and make way for a good mood.
People taking saffron can experience harder and stronger erections. Women report strong sexual feelings and increased lubrication after taking saffron. It can also help people taking antidepressants to lead an active sex life.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg has a sweet aroma that calms your senses, helps you relax, and elevates your mood. It is too useful to treat sexual disorders and helps women have heightened sexual pleasure. And, it also helps to boost sexual activity and performance in males, as indicated by a study on rats. That means you may feel like having sex more often with the help of nutmeg.
Red Ginseng
Red ginseng is particularly helpful in treating sexual problems and low libido. In studies, it produced twice the benefits compared to placebo in helping people with erectile dysfunction. It also improves sexual arousal in menopausal women and helps them lead a normal sex life.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an extract from trees found in Africa and parts of Asia. The herb has been effective in treating erectile dysfunction and was approved by the FDA in the 1980s as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Yohimbe can help you get aroused by pumping more blood to the penis. It also facilitates the production of norepinephrine that helps you get an erection. The herb is also useful to restore sexual function in people with heart diseases and diabetes. People with difficulty reaching orgasms can also benefit from the use of Yohimbe.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed was popular in ancient China for treating erectile dysfunction and low libido. Studies have shown the herb to inhibit an enzyme that limits blood flow to the penis. In animal studies, horny goat weed has been found to boost testosterone levels.
The compound Icariin in horny goat weed is responsible for its aphrodisiac effects. Horny goat weed can even increase estrogen in menopausal women.
Medicines
People tend to think of Viagra when we talk about medicines with aphrodisiac effects. Viagra is a synthetic aphrodisiac made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and used for erectile dysfunction. Medicines like Viagra are mostly for men and give you a longer and harder erection. In one sense, Viagra is not an aphrodisiac as it doesn’t help in sexual arousal. It only gives you an erection.
We do have a few medicines for women to increase their libido. Drugs made from the compound flibanserin are given to women with low libido and HSDD. The drug is approved by the FDA and used to treat premenopausal women with sexual disorders. Women can also take another medication called bremelanotide to increase their sex drive.
It’s not wise to take any medicine without medical advice. Bremelanotide has strict guidelines on who can take it, and there are also restrictions on use. You may find similar medicines for men made from other compounds that can have side effects. So it’s always better to speak to your doctor before taking any medicine.
Natural Medicines
Now we will discuss a bit about libido-enhancing medicines made from natural ingredients. Many companies sell pills and liquids made from natural ingredients with aphrodisiac properties. They don’t contain any synthetic chemicals and are free from the adverse effects of synthetic medicine. It’s much better to take them if you are considering aphrodisiac medicines, and you don’t need medical advice.
For instance, Spanish Fly products (for example leading brand Spanish Fly Pro) combine natural and plant-based ingredients like Maca, Tribulus, Guarana, Arginine, Ginseng, Zinc, and Caffeine. Each of the ingredients has proven aphrodisiac effects, and together they create an effective formula to increase your libido.
A search on the internet will reveal hundreds and thousands of aphrodisiac medicines. All companies make strong claims about their products and it’s easy to get confused. You should always research the ingredients of any medicine you consider and check for its safety.
Pills
Do pills really help you get aroused?
We have many pills in the market for men and women that enhance libido. They can be either made from synthetic chemicals or contain natural ingredients.
Pills can work in different ways to increase sexual urge and desire. Pills for men often contain ingredients that boost testosterone levels naturally. Like medicines, you may need to take the pills regularly for months to notice the results.
Some pills may help you relax and soothe your nerves, helping you get into the mood for sex. Aphrodisiac pills for women mostly contains ingredients that help them open up and reduce anxiety.
Pills may also target different body parts and create sexual stimulation. Some pills can improve circulation and make more blood available for your sexual organs. As a result, men can experience stronger erections and may last for longer in the bed. For females, the pills may help in vaginal lubrication to make sex enjoyable and comfortable.
You should find out how a pill works before you decide to use it. You may also need to consider your physical and medical history like allergies before gulping down a pill. Also, make sure the pill is going to give the results that you desire.
For example, if you are looking for something to help you get aroused, then Viagra would be a poor choice. It will only give you an erection while you may not feel a single bit of sexual urge.
Supplements
You can try out a range of supplements to increase your libido. Here we will only cover natural supplements that don’t have any adverse effects on your body.
Aphrodisiac supplements use a number of natural ingredients with aphrodisiac properties. You should always check the ingredients and whether they are effective for enhancing libido. Most supplements combine a range of ingredients to make the product more potent.
Let’s check out some common aphrodisiacs used in libido-enhancing supplements:
Maca
Maca is one of the few natural aphrodisiacs that has some scientific evidence. It is native to the mountains of Peru and is also called the Peruvian Viagra.
Maca has a lot of health benefits and is also a powerful libido enhancer. It can help people with erectile dysfunction by creating a strong sexual urge. Maca is also useful to counter the negative effects on libido that many medications bring about.
Maca seems to be safe, and people didn’t experience any significant side effects in most studies.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is a plant found commonly in dry places. People use Tribulus to enhance athletic performance and infertility. It can also help people with low libido and help them have a good sexual performance.
Tribulus may also increase sperm production, as noted by a study conducted on mice. Women with sexual dysfunction also report increased sexual pleasure after taking Tribulus. When taken for a few weeks, Tribulus can increase sexual desire and arousal. It also helps in vaginal lubrication and provides more orgasm satisfaction.
Guarana
Guarana is a natural ingredient found in many popular energy drinks. Many weight-loss products also use guarana as an active ingredient.
Guarana is also common in many supplements that boost libido. The seeds of the fruit contain high amounts of caffeine, which is responsible for increasing sexual arousals. In fact, guarana seeds contain more caffeine than coffee beans.
Guarana also reduces mental fatigue and helps you get in the mood for sex. It can also relax your muscles and improve circulation.
Overall, guarana has many beneficial effects on your body and sex life.
Caffeine
According to researchers, a cup of coffee can turn females on and create the mood for sex. It can also lower the risk of erectile dysfunction due to its polyphenols.
Coffeine is a strong stimulant and works on our central nervous system. A cup of coffee can stimulate your nerves, including those associated with sex. In a study, couples who regularly drank coffee reported to be more sexually active compared to those who didn’t.
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is an amino acid found in various foods like pumpkins. It can also improve your blood circulation by dilating tiny blood vessels. Men with erectile dysfunction taking arginine supplements experience improved sexual performance and increased libido.
Many studies have backed the claims of arginine, making it a strong ingredient in may supplements. It can also improve sexual performance and arousal if taken three to four hours before sex.
Final Thoughts
Herbs, fruits, veggies, and spices can help you boost your libido. People looking for strong arousals and assured results can go for aphrodisiac medicines, pills, or supplements. Just make sure the product you are buying really works and is safe for consumption. You can easily enhance your libido by including the foods, fruits, and herbs in your regular diet.
If you want quick results, you can try libido enhancers like Spanish Fly that works in minutes.
Research the right Spanish Fly product and the company whenever you buy an aphrodisiac supplement. Look for supplements that use potent natural aphrodisiacs with proven results backed by science. In general, you should look for products that meet some recognized standards like the FDA and the country where they were made.
We recommend the USA and countries of the European Union as the country of origin. Be careful and avoid China. Don’t go for pills or potions that don’t seem reliable or trustworthy. If you need help with how to do the right research for e.g. Spanish Fly products you can check out our Spanish Fly research article.
Our tip
You will find many other ingredients in aphrodisiac supplements. Our recommendation is Spanish Fly Pro, an aphrodisiac dietary supplement that combines all the above supplements in an innovative formula. You can take Spanish Fly Pro right before you have sex and there’s no need for regular use. Both men and women can take advantage of Spanish Fly products to have an exciting sex life full of passion.
