Aphrodisiac Herbs and Spices

Photo from "The Mistress of Spices"

Following my previous post, the following spices have had a long reputation of having aphrodisiacal properties…and they are a few

Aniseed (Mediterranean) 
is a very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.

Asafetida (Central Asia) occurs both as a light brown resin and as a powder. In small amounts it can provide a sensual taste or smell. Although the strong aroma may not be very pleasant, it can give a salty, animalistic, deeply erotic fragrant quality to a perfume when suitably diluted. It is considered a best aphrodisiac in the Tibetan medicine.

Cardamom (Southeast Asia) is popular in India and in Arabic cultures, and used to be employed by the Chinese court to give users a fragrant breath. Cardamom is a stimulant, especially if added to coffee; essential oil has erotic effect.

Chili
 has a large amount of vitamin C. Hot chilies stimulate circulation, which is why they are considered to be a potent aphrodisiac.
 Spicy foods have long been considered to be sexual stimulants. Chilies such as Cayenne contain capsaicin, the active ingredient, and eating capsaicin can cause a physiological response such as increased heart rate and metabolism, sometimes even sweating, which is quite similar to the physical reactions experienced during sex.

Cloves contain eugenol; its smell is fragrant and aromatic, and has long been considered as enhancing sexual feelings. It has strong antiseptic and stimulating properties.

Coriander (Cilantro seed)
 is a stimulant known since ancient Egypt and Palestine. You can add coriander to wine to increase the semen.

Garlic
 This pungent member of the lily family has been used to treat a wide variety of illnesses from the common cold to heart disease. Garlic has been used as an aphrodisiac by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Japanese. Garlic mixed with lard used externally to bring on an erection has been suggested by a professor at USC medical school. Garlic stimulates the appetite, awakens the senses and makes food taste great!

Ginger contains gingerols, zingiberene and other characteristic agents that have made it a favored seductive flavor in Asiatic and Arabic herbal traditions. It has hot qualities and brings fire into the body.

Nutmeg (Asia, Africa) contain myristicin, the base of "love drug" MDA or ecstasy, and similar compounds that are related to mescalin. In larger doses, nutmeg and mace can cause hallucinations, whereas in smaller amounts they are traditional aphrodisiacs. Nutmeg is a strong stimulant, inebriant, used in love magic.

Pepper from India contains piperine, which can stimulate sexual function, according to ancient beliefs. It is a stimulant, love magic agent, also contains alcaloid that has irritating effect on mucous. Cubeb pepper has substances that stimulate sex drive.

Rosemary (Eurasia, N Africa) has strong erotic effect upon the skin, ingested as spice, added to bath or wine. It contains essential oil with psychotropic effect.

Saffron (Asia, N Africa) contains picrocrocin, which is alleged to have the ability to cause erotic sensations. It has hot and dry qualities. Digestion of sun-dried filaments treats menstrual problems and stimulates sexual desires for women. Essential oil evokes long, distinctive orgasms. In high doses saffron oil is abortive and toxic

Vanilla contains the widely loved vanillin, whose taste and smell stir up romantic feelings in the appropriate circumstances.

Mint, sage and thyme. All these allegedly erotically stimulating agents have long been incorporated into cooking, incenses, rubs and other romantic sources for stimulation of sexual feeling. More recently, these and other herbs are utilized creatively in numerous massage oils and in incenses that are popularly utilized to improve sensations as a new-old form of therapy, with the modern title of aromatherapy.

Yohimbe Powder (Africa) Yohimbe is considered one of the most powerful aphrodisiac herbs. It's active ingredient, yohimbine, is also highly stimulating to the entire body in general. It can be found in most Male enhancement pills, usually along with other herbs such as tribulus terrestris, maca and muira puama. Also, since ephedra has stopped being used, yohimbe has become a vital component in many weightlifting and workout supplements to provide the energetic charge.