Aphrodisiac

Enhancement of the libido, or sexual desire, can be achieved by the use of various aphrodisiac supplements and herbal remedies. Aphrodisiacs can also be things which can increase sexual interest visually, by scents or by taste. http://www.smellandtaste.org/index.cfm?action=research.sexual http://health.howstuffworks.com/aphrodisiac5.htm Enhancement of sexual desire and the sexual experience can be made of herbs like ginseng or even animal parts (including insects), and there is scientific evidence that some substances do actually work.

A significant number of substances that have been used as aphrodisiacs are covered on this Mahalo page. Supporting scientific evidence is given for the ability of certain herbs, such as ginseng, tribulus, and muira puama, to act to enhance sexuality. Other sections included on this page are: a featured video on how to make an arousing salad that also has nutrients which keep you in good shape, and sections on how nutrition affects sexual mood and desire, study results on aphrodisiac scents, and the United States FDA regulations on aphrodisiacs.

Studies on Humans

1. Panax ginseng - Ginsenosides enhance smooth muscle relaxation this is required in erectile function, affecting the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. P. Sandroni. 2006. Aphrodisiacs Past and Present: A Historical View. Clin. Autonomic Res. 11:303-307 A. Melman and J. C. Gingell. 1999. The epidemiology and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. J. Urol. 161:5-11 http://perfectshape.blogspot.com/2007/03/top-10-aphrodisiacs.html
2. Yohimbe - a double blind trial indicated an improvement in about 36% of the test subjects in one phase of a 1987 study. Reid, et. al. 1987. Double blind trial of yohimbe in treatment of psychogenic impotence. The Lancet 2:421-423 However, the side effects are considered as serious as those of Viagra. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADA851.pdf
3. Pomegranate juice - A pilot study, reported in 2007, indicated a marginal improvement in erectile dysfunction. A more thorough study is needed to further evaluate the effect. http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v19/n6/abs/3901570a.html
4. Oysters (raw) - Recent scientific evidence indicates that raw oysters, besides having zinc, also have two rare amino acids that stimulate production of testosterone in men and progesterone in women. Cooking reduces the amount of these amino acids. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/mar/24/20050324-120735-4930r/
5. Muira Puama - Two studies at the Institute of Sexology in France have shown that this Brazilian shrub increases libido, decreases erectile dysfunction, improves the stability of erections, increases the frequency of intercourse and number of erections in the morning. It also decreases fatigue and helps improve sleep. Waynberg, J. 1999. Aphrodisiacs: Contribution to the clinical validation of the traditional use of Ptychopetalum guyanna, in the First International Congress on Ethnopharmacology, June 5-9, 1990, Strasbourg, France. Waynberg, J. 1995. Male Sexual Asthenia - Interest in a Traditional Plant-Derived Medication. Ethnopharmacology.
6. Tribulus - Tribulus terestris has been studied on both mice and humans. It increases testosterone levels and the production of sperm, the later which is believed to be caused by the increased production of luteinizing hormone which affects the leydig cells of the testes. It helps improve erections by the same pathway as ginseng does (see above).

Studies on Animals

1. Maca - This herb is also used by women as a female libido booster. There have been no human clinical trials reported as of 2009, but trials on mice have shown outstanding results. Zheng BL, He K, et. al. 2000. Effect of a lipidic extract from Lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats. Urology. 55:598-602.
2. Damiana - A component for a liqueur from Mexico, this herb is a folk-medicine common there as well when taken as a decoction. There has been only one study done on mice, in which an improvement of sexual behavior in sexually exhausted mice was observed. No improvement was seen in non-exhausted mice.Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, et. al. 1999. Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) Mar;143:15-9.

--Another resource that shows several research reports that support various substances that enhance sexual libido: Calif. State Univ. Northridge Bibliography

Chocolate helps improve mood because it contains an amino acid, tryptophan, which increases the serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects mood and is mostly synthesized in the gastrointestinal tract and is found in the bloodstream. Low levels are associated with disorders and elevated levels can positively affect mood and sexuality. http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=287 http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro04/web1/kcoveleskie.html

Serotonin is made up of the amino acid 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HTP). This amino acid is present in foods like fish, meat, beans and eggs. To optimize tryptohan metabolism, it also helps if you eat foods high in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is necessary for the conversion tryptophan to 5-HTP. Foods that are the richest sources for this vitamin are [[soy bean|soy beans}, walnuts, carrots, chicken, wheat germ, yeast, [Sunflower |sunflower]] seeds, lentils and lima beans. If you cook these foods, the vitamin content drops. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminB6/ <ref>http://www.anyvitamins.com/vitamin-b6-pyridoxine-info.htm#Food%20sources%20of%20vitamin%20B6

On March 20, 1989, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling (21CFR310.528, revised 2009) http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=310.528 stating that any agent represented for use as an aphrodisiac would be regarded as a new drug for which a new drug application would be required for prior to marketing. In this ruling the agency mentioned an overdose situation with Yohimbe with a youth, citing potential danger with this product. The FDA considers the agents listed below as aphrodisiac drug products, but they state that none have been found to be generally recognized as safe and effective. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/Over-the-CounterOTCDrugs/StatusofOTCRulemakings/ucm070831.htm

1. Anise - contains anethole, a volatile oil. Used in making the liqueurs anisette and arak. http://unitproj1.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/index.cfm?spicefilename=Aphrodisiacs.txt&itemsuppress=yes&displayswitch=0 http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/anise.html
2. Cantharides - "Spanish Fly," which is made from blister beetles, irritates the urogenital tract causing an erection, can cause painful urination and sometimes bloody discharge with the urine http://www.prostaderm.com/ProstateHealth/sexualHealth.asp
3. Dong quai - a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine remedies, known also as Women's Ginseng, used in combination with other herbs for treatment of menopause symptoms. Tests of the herb used without other herbs do not show any effect for menopause. http://www.xula.edu/cop/documents/CAMPAforMS.pdf
4. Estrogens, testosterone, methyltestosterone
5. Ginseng, including Korean ginseng
6. Golden Seal
7. Gotu kola
8. Licorice - A recent study has show that licorice can suppress sexual desire, or an anaphrodisiacal effect. It apparently interferes with testosterone production. http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/~msaier/earthessays/25_Love_Potion.html
9. Mandrake
10. Nux vomica
11. Pega palo - Rhisaplis baccifera, cactus family. <re>http://academic.uprm.edu/~jmari/carlosfigueroa.pdf</ref>
12. Sarsparilla
13. Strychnine
14. Vitamins
15. Yohimbe, yohimbe hydrochloride, yohimbinum

Research conducted at The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, by Drs. Hirsch and Gruss, evaluated 30 scents for aphrodisiac properties. This study found that the following scents or scent combinations significantly enhance blood flow to the penis by the average percentages given:

• Lavender and pumpkin pie - 40%
• Donuts and black licorice - 31.5%
• Pumpkin pie and donut - 20%
• Orange - 19.5%
• Lavender and donut - 18% http://www.smellandtaste.org/index.cfm?action=research.sexual
  
  

Other research for women, also conducted at this foundation, has shown that some scents also cause an increase in vaginal blood flow, an indicator of female libido enhancement:

• Good N' Plenty and cucumber - 13%
• Baby powder - 13%
• Pumpkin pie and lavender - 11% http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7067162.html