Kava Kava for Increased Orgasm

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional Polynesian herb from the root of the kava tree (called waka). Herbalists use it for its mild tranquilizing effect to relax the mind and bring clarity to thoughts while soothing the temperament and inducing a mild euphoria. It is considered a natural aphrodisiac that has the effect of directly increasing sexual desire and prowess and even increasing the intensity of the sensations felt during orgasm. Kava is an approved phytomedicine in Europe used to treat anxiety and can be used in aphrodisiac formulas as a nervine to produce an effect similar to a mild herbal ecstasy.

Kava is an ancient western Pacific crop related to the black pepper – both having heart-shaped leaves and flowers similar to the flower spike of the anthurium. Kava also has a peppery taste, and has long been part of religious, political and cultural life throughout the Pacific region. The drink was the beverage of choice for the South Pacific royal families. It is believed to have originated in Melanesia, and grows abundantly in the sunny Polynesian islands. Drank for hundreds of years by native islanders, it was only during Captain Cook’s voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771 that the white man first encountered the plant and its consumption in sacred ceremonies. According to his account, natives would chew or pound the root and mix it with water to produce a brownish, often bitter brew which they then consumed for its psychoactive properties.

In the Western world, kava is used as an herbal remedy to ease symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. The effects of drinking kava include slight tongue and lip numbing due to the contraction of blood vessels in these areas, milk talkative and euphoric behavior, calming, a sense of well-being, clear thinking and relaxed muscles. Sleep is restful and there are no after-effects the next day.

Kava has also interestingly been employed by the military in Fiji to aid in vigilance and anxiety reduction, to provide concentration and focus, to provide muscle control before sports and music performances, to reduce anxiety associated with public speaking and other public performances, and in corporate meetings to aid in mental clarity, sociability and improved decision making.

Contrary to coffee, alcohol, and many pharmaceuticals, Kava is known to be non-addictive, and to have no tolerance buildup. Medical literature sometimes claims it has a "potential for addiction" because "it produces mild euphoria and relaxation". In a traditional setting, a moderately potent kava drink causes effects within 20–30 minutes that last for about two and a half hours, but can be felt for up to eight hours. Because of this, it is recommended to space out servings about fifteen minutes apart. Some report longer term effects up to two days after ingestion, including a feeling of mental clarity, patience, and an ease of acceptance. The effects of kava are most often compared to alcohol, or a large dose of diazepam.

The sensations, in order of appearance, are slight tongue and lip numbing (the lips and skin surrounding may appear unusually pale); mildly talkative and sociable behavior; clear thinking; calmness; relaxed muscles; and a sense of well-being. As with other drugs that affect the GABA receptors, there can also be paradoxical dysphoria. The numbing of the mouth is caused by the two kavalactones kavain and dihydrokavain which cause the contraction of the blood vessels in these areas acting as a local topical anesthetic. These anesthetics can also make one's stomach feel numb. Sometimes this feeling has been mistaken for nausea. Some report that caffeine, consumed moderately in conjunction with kava can significantly increase mental alertness.

The effects of a kava drink vary widely with the particular selection of kava plant(s) and amount. A potent drink results in a faster onset with a lack of stimulation; the user's eyes become sensitive to light; they soon become somnolent and then have deep, dreamless sleep within 30 minutes. Sleep is often restful and there are pronounced periods of sleepiness correlating to the amount and potency of kava consumed. Unlike with alcohol-induced sleep, after wakening the drinker does not experience any mental or physical after effects. However, this sleep has been reported as extremely restful and the user often wakes up more stimulated than he or she normally would (though excessive consumption of exceptionally potent brew has been known to cause pronounced sleepiness into the next day). Although heavy doses can cause deep dreamless sleep, it is reported that many people experience lighter sleep and rather vivid dreams after drinking moderate amounts of kava.

For a good reason, Kava Kava is known as the “anti-shyness” herb. One of the many amazing benefits of kava, is that it can be so relaxing without drowsiness, putting one in a more open and comfortable state, quite conducive to both initiating conversation with a potential partner or with a long time lover. It also can increase a sense of euphoria, without losing any of your wits or your faculties as alcohol so often can.

Kava can have a direct stimulating effect on the sexual organs if consumed in somewhat larger quantities. Some users attest that they experience a tingling feeling in the genitalia, when taking Kava.

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Kapicacchu for Improved Sex Life

Botanical Name: Mucuna Pruriens
English/Common Name: Velvet Bean, Cowhage, Cow-itch, Buffalo bean
Ayurvedic Name: Kaunch, Atmagupta, Kapikacchu
Family: Fabaceae
Part Used: Seeds / Fruits

Kapikachu (Mucuna Pruriens) enjoys an important place among aphrodisiac herbs in India since ancient times. Susruta mentions the use of the seeds as promoters of virility, as also Bhavamisra. It is categorized as visya – the substance that improves sexual vitality and functioning. Its use as an anthelmintic (capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms) has also been mentioned in older books on traditional medicine. Yogaratnakara has a reference to its use in a formulation for tremors.

The literal meaning of the word kapikacchu is, one who scratches the body like a monkey. The surface of the pods of this climber is covered with bristles, which are allergic to the skin. On touching, it gives intensive itching sensation. Hence, aptly it has named as kapikacchu. It is also called as markati as the furred surface of its pods resembles to that of monkey’s skin.

Mucuna Pruriens is a common twiner, extensively distributed all over India, from the Himalayan foot hills and the plains of Punjab to Sri Lanka. It is a large half – woody twiner, with long slender cylindrical branches. The leaves are 15- 20 cm long, alternate, trifoliate, with ovate leaflets 7-12 cm long. The flowers large shortly stalked, in clusters and purple in color. The fruits, turgid pods, clothed with brown or grey irritant bristles. The seeds, 4-6 per pod, are black and ovoid or bean shaped, about 1 cm in diameter.

Traditionally, Mucuna Pruriens find use in number of diseases and is commonly used as carminative, hypotensive & hypoglycemic agent. From phytochemistry point of view, the drug contains L-dopa (which is very effective in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), tryptamine alkaloids, lecithin and tannins. All these compounds are known to exist in the seeds. There were some reports that the same compounds are detected and can be extracted from its leaves and stem as well.

Mucuna Pruriens has been shown to increase testosterone levels, helps deposition of protein in the muscles and increase muscle mass and strength. The seeds, roots and the bristles on its pods have great medicinal value. It is the most commonly used ingredient in many tonics for impotency and for enhancing sexual vitality. It also works well as a restorative for conditions of debility and weakness. The extract is also known to enhance mental alertness and improve coordination.

The seed powders of kapikacchu impart very potent effect, when taken with sugar and followed by milk. It augments the seminal fluids, vitality and the vigor. The hot infusion of the seeds is an excellent panacea for premature ejaculation in men. The seeds are useful as a galactogouge in lactating mothers.

The roots of this plant are diuretic. The decoction of the roots is beneficial in renal problems and dysuria. The roots also help regulate the menstrual cycle. They are useful to enhance the sexual vigor in women. The root powder, for this purpose, mixed with sugar, ghee and honey works well. In vata diseases like facial palsy, cervical spondylosis, Parkinson’s disease, paralysis etc, the decoction of kapikacchu is rewarding.

Generally, this herb is used with amalaki, ashwagandha, shatavari, gokshura, white and black musali to make pills and jelly or gelatin capsules. The bristles of the pods, filled in gelatin capsules, are used with benefit in intestinal worm infestations, especially in round worms. The seed powder, combined with honey, is commonly used as a general tonic. In bronchial asthma, the seed powder, honey and ghee are an effective combination.

Its Ayurvedic applications include: indigestion, colic, debility, edema, impotence, infertility, leukorrhea, menorrhagia, roundworm, spermatorrhea, Parkinsons, roots-fever, edema, elephantiasis (externally), and nervous disorders (including facial paralysis).

Regarding toxicity, its adverse effects were mild and were mainly gastro-intestinal in nature. No adverse effects were seen in clinical laboratory reports.

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Catuaba, an Aphrodisiac

Family: Erythroxylaceae
Genus: Erythroxylum
Species: Catuaba
Synonyms: None
Other Species: Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, Trichilia catigua, Juniperus brasiliensis, Eriotheca candolleana, Anemopaegma mirandum
Common Names: Catuaba, cataguá, chuchuhuasha, tatuaba, pau de reposta, caramuru, piratançara, angelim-rosa, catiguá
Part Used: Bark, root


Erythroxylum catuaba is a vigorous-growing, small tree that produces yellow and orange flowers and small, dark yellow, oval-shaped, inedible fruit. It grows in the northern part of Brazil in Amazonas, Para, Pernambuco, Bahia, Maranhao, and Alagoas. This catuaba tree belongs to the family Erythroxylaceae, whose principal genus, Erythroxylum, contains several species that are sources of cocaine. Catuaba, however, contains none of the active cocaine alkaloids.

Catuaba has a long history of use in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Tupi Indians in Brazil first discovered the aphrodisiac qualities of the plant and over the last few centuries they have composed many songs praising its wonders and abilities. Indigenous and local peoples have used catuaba for generations. It is the most famous of all Brazilian aphrodisiac plants. In the Brazilian state of Minas there is a saying, "Until a father reaches 60, the son is his; after that, the son is catuaba's!"

Initially they found the herb helped to enhance libido, then they noticed its other numerous beneficial qualities: relieving pain and fatigue, controlling nervousness, improving memory, helping with depression, among others.

In Brazilian herbal medicine today, catuaba is considered a central nervous system stimulant with aphrodisiac properties. A bark decoction is commonly used for sexual impotency, agitation, nervousness, nerve pain and weakness, poor memory or forgetfulness, and sexual weakness.

Catuaba functions as a stimulant of the nervous system, above all when one deals with functional impotence of the male genital organs. It is an innocent aphrodisiac, used without any ill effects at all. In Brazil it is regarded as an aphrodisiac with "proven efficacy" and, in addition to treating impotence, it is employed for many types of nervous conditions including insomnia, hypochondria, and pain related to the central nervous system (such as sciatica and neuralgia).

In European herbal medicine catuaba is considered an aphrodisiac and a brain and nerve stimulant. A bark tea is used for sexual weakness, impotence, nervous debility, and exhaustion. Herbalists and health practitioners in the United States use catuaba in much the same way: as a tonic for genital function, as a central nervous system stimulant, for sexual impotence, general exhaustion and fatigue, insomnia related to hypertension, agitation, and poor memory.

According to Michael van Straten, noted British author and researcher of medicinal plants, catuaba is beneficial to men and women as an aphrodisiac, but "it is in the area of male impotence that the most striking results have been reported" and "there is no evidence of side effects, even after long-term use."

Clinical studies on catuaba also have shown results related to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. A 1992 study indicated that an extract of catuaba (Erythoxlyum catuaba) was effective in protecting mice from lethal infections of Escherichia coli and Staphlococcus aureus, in addition to inhibiting HIV significantly. The study found that the pathway of catuaba's anti-HIV activity stemmed (at least partially) from the inhibition of HIV absorption into cells, and suggested that catuaba had potential against opportunistic infections in HIV patients. A U.S. patent was granted (in 2002) to a group of Brazilian researchers for a catuaba bark extract (Trichilia catigua). Its patent refers to animal studies it conducted that reported that it relieved pain and relaxed and dilated blood vessels in rats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

To date, no toxicity studies have been done on catuaba - but its long history of use in Brazil has reported no toxicity or ill effects. In fact, according to Dr. Meira Penna, the only side-effects are beneficial - erotic dreams and increased sexual desire! While no clinical research has validated the traditional use of catuaba as an aphrodisiac, it continues to be used widely for its ability to enhance sexual drive and increase libido in both men and women.

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Lotus Seed For Premature Ejaculation

Chinese name: Lianzi (蓮子)
Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Nelumbinis
Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn
Common Name: Lotus seed

Lotus seeds or Lotus nuts are the seeds of plants in the genus Nelumbo, particularly the species Nelumbo nucifera. The seeds are of great importance to East Asian cuisine and are used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese desserts. The seeds are most commonly sold in the shelled and dried form. Fresh lotus seeds are relatively uncommon in the market except in areas of lotus root and seed production, where they are sometimes sold as a raw snack. The lotus seeds are collected from August to September. After the skins of the seeds have been removed, the seeds are dried in the sun.

Used extensively in pastries, lotus seeds are believed to be highly medicinal when cooked in clear soups. They are believed to be particularly nutritious and restorative of one’s health in this state and that they are able to “clear the heat” in one’s body which can have degenerative effects if not addressed in due time.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, lotus seeds are used to tonify the spleen; to reinforce the kidneys and control its essence; and to nourish the blood and tranquilize the mind. Lotus seeds are also known as astringents or substances that tend to shrink or constrict body tissue. In that, they were believed to prevent excessive discharges and possess anti-hemorrhagic properties.

Regarding sexual disorders, lotus seeds were used to cure urinary tract infections, prostatitis, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea or frequent seminal emissions, and leukorrhagia or the white or yellowish vaginal discharges usually accompanied with foul smell.

Most of the time, lotus seeds are mixed with other traditional Chinese herbal medicines to address certain problems inside the body. One formula is Qingxin Lianzi Yin (Clear the Heart Lotus Seed Drink; or simply, Lotus Seed Combination), comprised of lotus seed, ginseng, astragalus, ophiopogon, plantago seed, lycium bark, hoelen, scute, and licorice. It is used for urinary disorders, including urinary stones, kidney inflammation, and urinary tract infection; it is also used for disorders of the reproductive organs, such as prostatitis and leukorrhea. The formula addresses a combination of dampness accumulation (ginseng, astragalus, lotus seed, hoelen, and licorice tonify the spleen to aid moisture circulation; plantago seed and hoelen drain excess moisture) and heat (lycium bark, scute, and ophiopogon clear heat, and are selected for persons of weaker constitution). The damp-heat syndrome leads to tenderness, swelling, and pain in the lower abdomen, urinary irregularity, and discharge of fluids.

Besides sexual disorders, lotus seeds are also known to cure several problems such as; weak digestion, diarrhea, palpitations, insomnia, irritability, and high blood pressure.

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Tribulus Terrestris an Aphrodisiac

Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and in northern Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil.

Like many weedy species, this plant has many common names. Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, Gokshura, and Goathead are the most widely used; others include automobile-weed, bindy eye, bindii, bullhead, burnut, burra gokhroo, calthrops, cat's head, common dubbeltjie, devil's thorn, devil's weed, doublegee, dubbeltje, ground bur-nut, isiHoho, land caltrop, Maltese cross, Mexican sandbur, puncture weed, rose, small caltrops, sticker, tackweed, and Texas sandbur (also T. micrococcus).

It is a tap-rooted herbaceous perennial plant that grows as a summer annual in colder climates. The stems radiate from the crown to a diameter of about 10 cm to over 1 m, often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming flat patches, though they may grow more upwards in shade or among taller plants. The leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets less than a quarter-inch long. The flowers are 4–10 mm wide, with five lemon-yellow petals. A week after each flower blooms, it is followed by a fruit that easily falls apart into four or five single-seeded nutlets. The nutlets or "seeds" are hard and bear two sharp spines, 10 mm long and 4–6 mm broad point-to-point. These nutlets strikingly resemble goats' or bulls' heads; the "horns" are sharp enough to puncture bicycle tires and to cause painful injury to bare feet.

Tribulus terrestris has long been a constituent in tonics in Indian ayurveda practice, where it is known by its Sanskrit name, "gokshura." It’s also used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various ailments and, most especially, the improvement of men’s sexual functions.

It is now being promoted as a booster for the purpose of increasing sex drive. Its use for this purpose originated in Eastern Europe in the 1970's. Independent studies have suggested that Tribulus terrestris extract slightly increases hormone levels, though leaving them in the normal range.

Some have compared the tonic properties of Tribulus terrestris to the effects of ginseng, but these occur due to entirely different mechanisms. It is also claimed that Tribulus terrestris increases testosterone by increasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which in turn stimulates the production of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Testosterone, besides its role in muscle-building and raising fertility and libido, is also known to have a positive effect on bone marrow activity (for red blood cell production) and the immune system.

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Muira Puama an Aphrodisiac

Also referred to as “potency wood”, “marapuama”, and “Potenzholz”; Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum Olacoides) is a native shrub with white flowers found in Brazil and the Amazon forest area. Reaching up to 5 meters in height and produces pungent flowers with a jasmine like fragrance, it grows abundantly across the Amazon River basin. There are only two species of small trees under the genus, Ptychopetalum. One variety, P. olacoides, grows in the tropical parts of America, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. The P. uncinatum is found only in Brazil.

For many decades, Muira Puama has been used as medicine owing to its parts which have medicinal and healing properties. The indigenous people living in the Amazon basin have been using Muira Puama as a healing medicine. The stems and roots of young plants were used as tonics to treat neuromuscular problems. The natives also used a root concoction in baths and massages. It was believed to have therapeutic effects on paralysis and beriberi. It also helps with gastrointestinal and reproductive disorders, stress and trauma. Besides its long history as a therapeutic herb, Muira Puama is well known for its aphrodisiac qualities that significantly improve erectile function and sexual desires.

The short term effects of Muira Puama include increasing the blood flow to the pelvic area, aiding erections in men as well as improved sensation and orgasm in women. Longer term use enhances the production of sex hormones in both sexes. It has no noted side effects though, as with many sexual stimulants, it can slightly raise blood pressure. French studies showed that Muira Puama seemed to improve libido and sexual function. Scientists also believe that this herb increases testosterone levels, though this has not yet been clinically proven. Dr. Jacques Waynberg, a world authority on sexual functioning of the Institute of Sexology in Paris, showed that it is effective in increasing sexual desires as well as attaining and maintaining an erection.

A clinical study with 262 patients complaining of lack of sexual desire and the inability to attain or maintain an erection demonstrated Muira Puama extract to be effective in many cases. Within 2 weeks, at a daily dose of 1 to 1.5 grams of the extract, 62% of patients with loss of libido claimed that the treatment had dynamic effect while 51 percent of patients with "erection failures" felt that Muira Puama was of benefit. Presently, the exact mechanism of action of this herb is still under investigation. The action of muira puama is not fully understood, but from the preliminary information, it appears that it works on enhancing both psychological and physical aspects of sexual function.

Another study investigated the possibility of Muira Puama and Ginkgo biloba as alternatives to chemical medication in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in healthy women. The efficacy of the unique formulation of the two herbal aphrodisiac was assessed in 202 healthy women complaining of low sex drive. Various aspects of their sex life were rated before and after 1 month of treatment with Muira Puama. Responses to self-assessment questionnaires showed significantly higher scores from baseline (before treatment) in 65% of the women after taking the formulation. Statistics showed that significant improvements occurred in their frequency of sexual desires, sexual intensity of sexual desires, ability to reach orgasm, and intensity of orgasm.

More discoveries about the healing properties of Muira Puama plant were uncovered due to the advance in modern science. It was found that the root and bark of the plant is rich in fatty acids and fatty acid esters, especially behenic acid. It also has lots of essential oils, including beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene, plant sterols, triterpenes with lupeol, and a new alkaloid, which they named muirapuamine. All these components were reported to be the ones responsible for all the therapeutic benefits of the Muira Puama plant.

Muira puama is considered a safe herb; whereas another herbal sexual stimulant called yohimbine can induce anxiety, panic attacks, and hallucinations in some individuals, as well as elevated blood pressure, high heart rate, dizziness, headache, and skin flushing.

Many clinical trials were conducted to prove the medicinal benefits of the plant. And while many people are skeptical about sexual stimulants or "herbal viagra", like Muira Puama, could treat impotency, one study was able to prove that treatment using the plant could result in a positive effect. In Brazil, the plant was reported to have a permanent effect in locomotor ataxia, neuralgias of long standing chronic rheumatism, and partial paralysis. Research also showed that an extract from the root is effective in treating disorders affecting the central nervous system and relieving physical and mental fatigue.

Today, Muira Puama is being used and known worldwide. This popularity of the plant was due to the early European explorers who brought Muira Puama back with them to their respective countries when they knew of its many benefits. Today, the plant is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a noted herbal medicine source from the British Herbal Medicine Association. In Europe alone, Muira Puama is used to treat impotence, infertility, nerve pain, menstrual disturbance, and rheumatism. Germany also adopted this plant and used it for hookworms, while in the United States, traditional herbalists and health practitioners used it to relieve central nervous system disorders.

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Tongkat Ali an Aphrodisiac

Eurycoma longifolia (aka, long jack or Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a small evergreen tree growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) long with 13-41 leaflets. The flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different trees; they are produced in large panicles, each flower with 5-6 very small petals. The fruit is green ripening dark red, 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad.

It is traditionally used for the treatment of malaria, high blood pressure, diarrhea, boils, ulcer, tuberculosis, jaundice, dysentery, fever and loss of sexual desire. However, the plant is a traditional secret of Malays as a booster for strength, stamina and possibly immunity. The first documentation on tongkat ali was done in 1939 in the Dictionary of Malaysian Medicine. It is the roots of at least a 7-year old plant that is harvested. It is said that tongkat ali is five times more potent than ginseng.

Tongkat Ali was dubbed the "Asian Viagra" in a May 1999 report in the New Sunday Times.

Scientific studies suggest that tongkat ali appears to work by increasing levels of the hormone testosterone. The “British Journal of Sports Medicine” published the results of a scientific study in 2003, which showed that Eurycoma longifolia caused increased muscle strength and size because of its “testosterone-boosting” properties. Because of this, some athletes and body builders now use Tongkat Ali extract in the hope that it will act as a testosterone-booster, to improve muscle size, strength, and performance without drugs. Tongkat ali is also studied for its action against lung and breast cancer as well as anti-malarial activity (the original traditional use). This could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals called quassinoids and diterpenoids. It also contains an anti-oxidant called super-oxide dismutase.

Tongkat ali is now a very popular natural product for increasing libido, enhancing orgasm, voluntary control of sexual performance, enhanced energy and stamina; providing the natural solution to erectile dysfunction in a gradual and safe manner. Animal studies have shown that tongkat ali produces androgenic (male hormone property) effects similar to testosterone treated animals. It can also produce arousal, libido and sexual motivation in sluggish, old rats. Tongkat ali appears to stimulate the availability of endogenous testosterone (natural testosterone content of the body).

Tongkat ali is the natural supplement that has the property to effect a complete improvement in testosterone level. This improvement in testosterone is reported to be achieved in two weeks of intake; bringing back the normal level that has declined with age. (Normal testosterone levels maintain energy level, mood, fertility, and sexual desire.) These imply that tongkat ali acts naturally in the body and achieves a level of testosterone needed for a successful male sexual performance. For the men who are infertile due to problems with the quality of their sperm, Tongkat ali can raise the amount of available testosterone that will help in improve the morphology, activity (motility) and count of sperms.

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Ginkgo Biloba an Aphrodisiac

The Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba; '銀杏' in Chinese), frequently misspelled as "Gingko", and also known as the Maidenhair Tree, is a unique tree with no close living relatives. It is classified in its own division, the Ginkgophyta, comprising the single class Ginkgoopsida, order Ginkgoales, family Ginkgoaceae, genus Ginkgo and is the only extant species within this group. It is one of the best known examples of a living fossil. Ginkgoales are not known in the fossil record after the Pliocene, making Ginkgo biloba a living fossil.

For centuries it was thought to be extinct in the wild, but is now known to grow in at least two small areas in Zhejiang province in eastern China, in the Tian Mu Shan Reserve. However, ginkgo trees in these areas may have been tended and preserved by Chinese monks for over 1000 years. Therefore, whether native ginkgo populations still exist is uncertain.

The (older) Chinese name for this plant is 银果 yínguo ('silver fruit'). The most usual names today are 白果 bái guǒ ('white fruit') and 銀杏 yínxìng ('silver apricot'). The latter name was borrowed in Japanese (as ichō) and Korean (as eunhaeng), when the tree itself was introduced from China. It has been cultivated extensively for both ceremonial and medical purposes.

The scientific name Ginkgo has been explained by a folk etymology. Chinese characters typically have multiple pronunciations in Japanese, and the characters 銀杏 used for ichō can also be mistakenly pronounced ginkyō. Engelbert Kaempfer, the first Westerner to see the species in 1690, wrote down this incorrect pronunciation in his Amoenitates Exoticae (1712); his y was misread as a g, and the misspelling stuck.

The extract of the Ginkgo leaves contains flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides) and has been used pharmaceutically. It has many alleged nootropic properties, and is mainly used as memory and concentration enhancer, and anti-vertigo agent. However, studies differ about its efficacy. Out of the many conflicting research results, Ginkgo extract seems to have three effects on the human body: it improves blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; it protects against oxidative cell damage from free radicals; and it blocks many of the effects of PAF (platelet aggregation, blood clotting) that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders. Ginkgo can be used for intermittent claudication.

Currently, the herb is most commonly used to improve brain function, particularly for relieving symptoms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Ginkgo biloba also is recommended by physicians, herbalists and naturopaths for a wide variety of complaints, from tinnitis (ringing in the ears) to headache, allergy, Raynaud's syndrome and even depression. A standardized extract of ginkgo leaves is one of the most widely prescribed remedies in Europe, where it is used for conditions ranging from erectile dysfunction, premenstrual bloating, to high-altitude sickness.

Being the oldest surviving tree on earth, Chinese herbalists consider ginkgo as a longevity drug (one that restores youthful vitality), and an aphrodisiac.

Various researches were right about their findings that this tree’s extract can improve the blood circulation in the body; hence it is well known and regularly used by body builders as it increases blood flow to the muscles. Surprisingly there seem to be additional sexual benefits, as users have also noticed an improvement in sexual function, 84% of men with sexual dysfunction produced by taking anti-depressants, said their situation improved after taking Ginkgo. 91% of women reported that Ginkgo improved all aspects of their sex lives. Again this could possibly be down to improved blood circulation since lack of adequate blood flow to the genital organs is a root cause of impaired performance in both sexes.

If they were right, a vastly under-appreciated "natural," non-prescription alternative to Viagra has been sitting on pharmacy and health-food store shelves, timidly promoted by most manufacturers as an aid to alertness and short-term memory.

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Yohimbine, or Yohimbe, an Aphrodisiac

Yohimbine is also known under the outdated names quebrachin, aphrodin, corynine, yohimvetol and hydroergotocin. It is the principal alkaloid of the bark of the West-African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe Pierre (formerly Corynanthe yohimbe), family Rubiaceae (Madder family), an evergreen forest tree native to southwestern Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. There are 31 other yohimbine alkaloids found in Yohimbe.

Yohimbine is a selective competitive alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist and is used for dilating the pupil of the eye, and has been used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is claimed to be an aphrodisiac, and is also used as a weight loss supplement as it increases noradrenaline (norepinephrine) levels.

It is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. It is a true aphrodisiac since it increases arousal in sexually inexperienced male rats, facilitates copulation in sexually naïve males and increases sexual activity in males that were previously sexually inactive. It has been used as a possible treatment for organic, psychogenic and substance induced erectile impotence and other male sexual dysfunctions. Its effect on male sexual performance is possibly related to its peripheral autonomic nervous system effects. It increases blood flow to erectile tissues and may increase testosterone levels. Currently, it is assumed that Yohimbine exerts its erectogenic effect through a central action.

Current researches show it is a vasodilator, which means that it increases blood flow to the extremities and appendages. It does this via an indirect mechanism of increasing the release of noradrenaline.

A word of caution before using it though, its side effects include elevated blood pressure and heart rate, irritability, headache and dizziness. Many in the medical profession regard yohimbine to be a potential health risk and advise people not to take it.

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Nettle an Aphrodisisiac

Nettle is the common name for any of between 30-45 species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae, with a cosmopolitan though mainly temperate distribution. They are mostly herbaceous perennial plants, but some are annual and a few are shrubby.

A tasty green food your body recognizes, the “stinging nettle” (Urtica dioica or urens) is a weed native to Europe, Asia, as well as North America. (Various unrelated plants are sometimes also called nettles -- the Old World nettle trees of the elm family, and the prickly horse nettle of the nightshade family) The shoots grow from two to three feet, to as high as 10', and flourish in soils that are high in nitrogen. All nettles sting, but thankfully their stinging properties disappear once they've been dried or cooked. As they are used throughout Europe, nettles make a valuable tonic after the long winter months because they provide a potent natural source of a number of vitamins and minerals. Formic acid ("fire ants" use this to sting you) in nettle leaves is what makes them sting, along with histamine. (Ironically, though, they're useful in combating allergies).

Nettles enjoy a rich folkloric history both general (as a spring tonic) and specific. Among the more esoteric uses: as a cure for baldness, bedwetting (eaten in cakes), an aphrodisiac (seeds mixed into jam), and as a cure for fear (when held in the hand, along with a sprig of yarrow). Urtication-the process of flailing yourself with nettles -- originally introduced to England by Roman soldiers who thought they'd need to do it to keep warm -- is a folk practice still used today by people suffering from arthritis and even M.S. By deliberately applying stinging nettles to their skin, it provokes inflammation. Through this process, the pain of the sufferers is relieved temporarily.

For many, consuming nettles raw, cooked in soup, as tea, salad or in capsule form, has become a springtime tradition, hence nettles association with spring time. It is a form of cleansing which for some consumes the phlegmatic superfluities which winter has left behind.

Nettles are fantastically high in vitamins A and C, and rich in nutrients, including calcium, choline, magnesium, boron, iron, iodine, silica, sulfur, potassium, chlorophyll, histamine, serotonin, glucoquinones, bioflavonoids, tannins and amino acids. They're unusually high in protein (40%) for a plant. And because they're so nutrient-dense, they make a good overall tonic for strengthening the body and an effective traditional treatment for scurvy.

It is also believed to be a “galactagogue” (an agent that promotes the secretion and flow of milk), and a clinical trial has shown that its juice is diuretic in patients with congestive heart failure. Nettle extract is also useful in treating anemia, their high vitamin C content helps ensure that the iron is properly absorbed by the body. Besides anemia, the extracts can also be used to treat hay fever and kidney problems.

Fresh nettle, specifically Urtica Dioica, is used in folk remedies to stop all types of bleeding, due to its high Vitamin K content. Meanwhile, in dry Urtica Dioica, the Vitamin K is practically non-existent, and so is used as a blood thinner.

Nettle is used in hair shampoos to control dandruff, and is said to make hair more glossy, which is why some farmers include a handful of nettles with cattle feed. Stories during the 1800s about fraudulent practices of some horse peddlers in Europe include using 1-2 handfuls of nettle seed a day mixed to their horses’ feeds for two weeks which would explain its unexplainably shiny pelts and youthful appearance when they take it to the market. Of course, this gave them the reason to sell it in a handsome price and it did get sold. The youthfulness of course disappeared once the animals got to their new homes - no nettle seed.

Amongst its many properties, the nettle’s extract has lately been shown to influence prostate health and prevention of prostate conditions, especially prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Nettle root extracts have been extensively studied in human clinical trials as a treatment for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These extracts have been shown to help relieve symptoms compared to placebo both by themselves and when combined with other herbal medicines.

A highly concentrated extract from the nettle root provides a unique mechanism for increasing levels of free testosterone. Recent European research has identified constituents of nettle root that bind to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) in place of testosterone, thus reducing SHBG's binding of free testosterone. As the authors of one study state, these constituents of nettle root "may influence the blood level of free, i.e. active, steroid hormones by displacing them from the SHBG binding site." Due to this, body builders have been using certain extracts of nettle in an effort to increase free testosterone by occupying sex-hormone binding globulin.

Nettle’s aphrodisiac effect was perhaps due to its ability to increase free testosterone. Free testosterone stimulates sex cell receptor sites in the brain hence an increase of sexual response and functions for both men and women. Furthermore, its richness in nutrients and other essential vitamins and minerals enhance the workings of one’s overall health thus minimizing the other health conditions that inhibit proper sexual functions. Additionally, nettle extract is also believed to work as an adaptogen. It helps with the general stress response, they strengthen the adrenals, and they're loaded with minerals and trace elements.

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Pito-pito

A Tagalog word which literally means “seven-seven”.

“Pito pito is most commonly used to refer to the blend of seven leaves of seven traditional herbal medicinal plants, usually prepared as a decoction or a poultice and used in a wide variety of folkloric applications: headaches, fever, cough, colds, migraine, asthma, abdominal pains, diarrhea, etc. The ingredients vary according to availability and intended use. Seven (pito) is believed to be numerologically essential to the efficacy of the eventual formulation.” [stuartexchange.org]

Traditionally, seven is believed to be a lucky number so if you put together seven medicinal herbs together, then it will become a very potent and effective “cure-all” concoction. Traditionally, it was used as treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of sickness. Once it gets into an extreme and life threatening situation, a quack doctor, or a traditional medicine man, is usually summoned to address it.

From my experience, Pinoys usually concoct this herbal remedy as a form of cleansing agent which one uses as a bathing solution or “pang-langas” to prevent the sickness from ever returning again. They boil the seven leaves and then wash their bodies with it after it has become moderately warm or mixed with tap water to make even its hot temperature. They do this after their recovery from a fever or any “weather related sickness”. They also use it to wash wounds and most especially to wash one’s newly circumcised penis to avoid infection because of its anti-bacterial properties.

But according to several herbalist quacks or “herbolarios” (by quacks, I don’t mean the wily type of quackery but how the medicinal institution refer to them), pito pito is not only used to cure sicknesses but can also be used as a treatment to impotence. Definitely it’s not an aphrodisiac but it’s supposed to make your system healthy which will in turn make your “willy” healthy.

The primary seven leaves used in concocting pito-pito are:

• Sambong
• Lagundi
• Suha leaves
• Kamias leaves
• Lemon Grass
• Guava leaves
• Banaba

Another variant of it which is usually used as an herbal tea:

• Alagao
• Anise seeds
• Banaba
• Coriander seeds
• Guava leaves
• Mango leaves
• Pandan leaves

Popular substitutes in case one or two ingredients are missing:

• Gotu-Kola (Centella asiatica)
• Pineapple leaves
• Star Apple or Caimito Leaves

What to do:
It’s simple, put all of the seven ingredients together, add water until half full (the amount of water depends on the amount of leaves you intend to use), boil for thirty minutes, and then strain all the leaves and solid objects to get all the juice out of it before throwing it away.

What you’ll be using here is the boiled solution which you can either drink as tea or use as a washing solution. The washing solution is only used to make wounds heal faster and to rejuvenate the weak body after recovering from a fever or after giving birth.

To address the other sicknesses, drink the solution.

For more information about Philippine herbal remedies and plants visit “Philippine Alternative Medicine”.

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Super Seahorse for Super Sexual Strength

They’re getting extinct for their purported aphrodisiac properties; but people wanted to stay young and be strong in bed. You can’t blame them. If your wife’s just after your damn money, she’ll just dispose of you like trash if you can’t even satisfy them in bed.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the larger the sea horse the more super their potency will be. They are comparing its power to those of “Sea Dragon” (actually, they’re also related to sea horses or perhaps sea horses themselves but are more flamboyant-looking) only slightly weaker. One drink of it turned into tea or mixed with other herbal stuff into an alcoholic drink and you’ll be as strong as a wild dragon, at least as some cases suggest.

Sea Horse is considered to be a powerful sex tonic. It provides strong Yang energy to the kidney giving it its reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is used in a wide variety of men's tonic formulations to build sexual strength.

Seahorses have been eaten for more than 2,000 years (according to ancient records it started way back since 342 BC) and, as well as being a traditional way of improving sex-drive, are also thought to help respiratory problems and keep one feeling and looking youthful.

Sea Horse may be used with any other tonic herbs, but it is most commonly combined with kidney care tonics, both Yin and Yang. You can make a tea of it, or you can grind it into powder and add it to capsules. Also, Sea Horse is commonly extracted, with other tonics, in alcohol to make a tonic jiu.

Primary combinations of sea horse based sexual tonic includes: Deer Antler, Sea Dragon, Gecko, Ginseng, Lycium, Schizandra, Cuscuta, Cynomorium, Morinda, etc.

They are often sold in powder form and sometimes as a whole dried sea horse. They are commonly traded in dried form but I’ve seen some people pull them out of container vans in fish tanks.

Please be advised that taking sea horse tonics without a sexual partner is not recommended. It is not indicated why; but perhaps, since it suggests that your horn will grow great lengths because of it, it can turn you wild and mad if you get too much repressed sexual energies. It’s also a great no-no for pregnant women and those having flu, fever, or anything that makes you sick hot which TCM refers to as “pathogenic fire”.

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Bird’s Nest Soup

Bird's nest soup is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine made from the nests of “cave swifts.” The nests are edible because it is made of hardened saliva from the birds. The nests have been traditionally consumed in China for over 400 years, most often as Bird's Nest Soup and one of the most expensive animal products consumed by humans also. When dissolved in water, the birds' nests have a gelatinous texture used for making the soup. It is prepared either salty or sweet.

The most heavily harvested nests are from the White-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus). The white nests and the “red blood” nests are supposedly rich in nutrients which are traditionally believed to provide health benefits, such as aiding digestion, raising libido, improving the voice, alleviating asthma, increasing concentration, and an overall benefit to the immune system.

Hong Kong and the United States are the largest importers of these nests. In Hong Kong a bowl of Bird Nest Soup would cost US$30 to $100. A kilogram of white nest can cost up to $2,000, and a kilogram of “red blood” nest can cost up to $10,000. The white nests are commonly treated with a red pigment, but methods have been developed to determine an adulterated nest.

The high prices were due to the fact that the nests are very rare to find and harvesting it is a seriously risky business especially for its collectors. This soup is popular throughout Asia with the mega-rich. The soup some say is hardly tasty and looks unappealing but it is well sought after due to its extraordinary medicinal powers and that includes its being an aphrodisiac. The white bird’s nest was believed to be good for the skin while the red one is good for the body and energy.

According to legend, long ago in China, there was an Emperor who loved to taste different gourmet dishes made by the Royal Cook. Each dish was exotic and different every day. If the cook fails to provide a new dish for the Emperor, not only will he lose his position he’ll also lose his head. And so one day out of desperation, he searched the harbor for a new exotic dish and found the bird’s nest soup from a merchant who told him about the longevity and libidinous properties of the said exotic food. According to the merchant, it was from Borneo where the locals eat it for its nearly magical properties but how to prepare it he doesn’t know. The cook prepared it in a form of soup and served it to his majesty. Knowing the Emperor's passion for Feng Shui and longevity, the Royal Cook cunningly presented the soup with a dragon on one side and a phoenix on the other, with the soup in the middle.

The Emperor eagerly tasted the soup after knowing that it is a “longevity soup” and that it smelled sweet and aromatic; but after discovering that it tastes plain, he began to question the cook. The cook, fearing for his life, consistently urged the Emperor to taste it again and again to look for a certain taste which he himself begins to doubt. The Emperor was irritated and was on the verge of ordering the cook’s execution when the Royal Cook explained; “In Borneo..." he started. “In Borneo, the people there eat this soup for longevity. It keeps the people young and healthy. It lengthens their years, and they live long and prosperous lives because of this soup." The cook went on about the benefits of the soup, emphasizing the longevity and a subtle hint of the libidinous properties of the dish. The Emperor's eyes lit up; because he knew that Borneo was an exotic place. The pillars of the Forbidden City were made from timbers that came from Borneo. The Emperor was pleased to hear the cook’s story and so, after he finished his meal, he announced that the longevity soup was to be served to him on a regular basis, and the Royal Cook was duly rewarded.

To keep the Emperor from finding out that the longevity soup's raw ingredient was bird's nest, the Royal Cook ensured that all those who brought back the birds' nests from Borneo were killed. New crews were sent to retrieve the nests each time. True enough, the Emperor lived a long and prosperous life. The longevity soup was only served to the Royal Family and wealthy merchants. It was not allowed to be served to the general population. The longevity soup became renowned as a royal dish, and its potent properties claimed by the merchant were proven to be true.

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Shark Fin Soup Aphrodisiac

Genuine shark fin soup or stew is made with shark fins obtained from any of a variety of shark species. Raw shark fins are processed by first removing the skin, trimming them to shape, and thoroughly drying them. They may be bleached with hydrogen peroxide before drying to make their color more appealing. Shark fins are the cartilaginous pectoral and dorsal fins of a shark. Shark's fins are sold in two forms - frozen and dried. Both need to be softened before they can be used to prepare soup. The frozen form is ready to use as it has been pre-prepared and therefore only requires about an hour of soaking. There are two types of the dried form, skinned (shredded) or un-skinned (whole) which require more preparation.

Shark fins, in common with other costly east Asian delicacies such as Bird's nest soup and sea cucumber, have very little flavor of their own. Their appeal lies more in their texture and their ability to absorb flavors from other soup ingredients, and also for the simple fact of their expense.

The soup is highly sought after in much of Asia because of its reputation as a powerful source of nutrition able to cure cancer; enhance the appetite; and strengthen the kidneys, lungs, and bones; as well as an aphrodisiac. There had been no scientific evidence to prove these claims except for the fact that the serving of the fins connotes prestige since it’s really expensive to come by especially if you’re serving a lot of people.

One nutrient the shark is rich in is “squalene”. It is an oily compound that’s good for the skin, reducing cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure. But looking in the fins won’t do you any good since squalene can be found mostly in the shark’s liver. Additionally, rice bran, wheat germ, and olives have significant amounts of squalene, and amaranth seed oil is particularly rich in it also.

According to research, the “shark fin” does provide some beneficial nutrients but these can be found in other food sources even in greater and more naturally beneficial forms. Most researchers would say that eating “shark fin soup” is more of a psychological aphrodisiac where it is the belief of harnessing the exotic animal’s strength, ferocity, and prowess that leads one to feel such and such rather than the actual nutritional value of the aphrodisiac. All in all, there is no direct evidence for any aphrodisiac effect from shark fins, and it is not apparent that they contain any chemical that would reasonably be expected to boost the libido. You can get healthy and naughty without necessarily decimating or harming the sharks.

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Deer Antlers as Aphrodisiac

Yes, its real deer antlers and they’re from live deer. You might think that they were hunted down to extinction for this purpose, but that’s a NO. (It might be true for their pelt but not for their antlers.) It might be true before, perhaps, but today, according to the sources I’ve read, they take it from the deer without killing them since it’s only the tip of their antlers that they’re after.

They call this tip as “deer antler velvet”, or just “deer velvet”. Deer velvet is named after the soft velvet-like covering of deer antlers while they are growing and still in a cartilaginous state, before they harden into bone. “Deer antlers”, by the way, are organs of bone which regenerate each year from the heads of male deer. They grow with remarkable swiftness and every year, after the roar and mating season, the antlers are cast to begin the cycle again in the spring. After removal, antlers are frozen and transported under sanitary conditions. The product is then dried and processed, which can include powder, extracts or slices. Contrary to what you could be thinking right now, it is not the skin on the outside of the deer antler and not the deer horn which will be used, but the inside of the deer antler.

The “deer velvet” has been around for 3000 years already. In Hunan Province, China, a silk scroll was recovered from these ancient times, listing 52 different diseases for which deer antler velvet was used as a medicine. Deer velvet competed with some valuable and rare types of ginseng as an elixir of the gods. Deer Antler velvet is traded widely throughout the world, mainly in the Orient and in Russia.

Though the use of Deer Velvet in Oriental and Chinese medicine has a long tradition, scientific evaluation of its effects is more recent. Studies originate mainly from Russia, Korea, China, Japan and New Zealand. Results caused the interest in deer velvet to increase rapidly.

Deer Antler is known to have wide ranging benefits, but it is especially known as an outstanding aphrodisiac. Men take it not only for sexual dysfunction, but also to increase desire and endurance. Women take deer velvet for menstrual and menopausal problems or infertility.


What is the composition of an ancient wonder such as the deer velvet?

Proteins
The structural materials in cells that aid tissue growth and repair.

Lipids
Builds cell components and boosts energy to enhance cellular activities. Deer velvet contains all essential fatty acids including Omega 3 and 6, Protoeolipids, and gangliosides.

Collagen
A protein widely recognised for the promotion of healthily skin and hair but also a vital structural protein component of bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, providing elasticity and shock absorbing properties and a strong framework to hold other cells. Collagen is known to help rebuild joint cartilage.

Amino Acids
Deer velvet contains over 30 Amino Acids including ten of the most essential.


Minerals/Trace Elements

Calcium
Provides structure for bones and teeth, and is essential for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction and blood clotting.

Copper
Necessary for red blood cell development, bones, and nerves.

Iron
Essential for blood cells transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Manganese
Needed for development of bones and connective tissue, and for normal functioning of the nervous system.

Selenium
Powerful antioxidant.

Magnesium
Required in metabolic reactions and storing and releasing energy in cells.

Phosphorus
Provides structure for bones and teeth, and is a component of nearly all metabolic reactions.

Potassium
For nerve and muscle function.

Sulphur
A component of various amino acids and insulin.

Zinc
Involved in digestion and respiration, and is necessary for normal wound healing and skin health.


Growth Factors
Improves muscular development. Insulin like Growth Factor (IGF-1) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). Growth hormones and factors have an effect on growth and maintenance of bones and stimulating cartilage growth. They also have growth promoting actions on the skin.


Glycosaminoglycans

Glucosamine
An amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body and is a major basic nutrient used by the body in the production, maintenance and repair of all joint structure including cartilage, bone, tendon, ligaments and joint fluids. It is also a component of synovial fluid, which lubricates and serves as a shock absorber for the joints.

Chondroitin
Extremely potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Prostaglandins
A chemical regulator produced in all tissues that tell the body how to react to inflammation, infection and pain. Causes a broad range of positive effects on many of the body's defense systems.

Phospholipids
In cell membranes these are the effective structural materials that help facilitate the passage of fat in and out of the cells and the blood.


What benefits will you get from “deer velvet”?

Research Findings:

• Promotes stamina and endurance
• Restores lost energy
• Improves mental power
• Controls blood pressure
• Increases the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs while reducing their side effects
• Stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
• Boosts the immune system and hemoglobin levels

Ancient Belief:

• An ultimate primal essence (Jing) tonic and a good tonic for the blood since it replenishes not only the blood but also the essence
• It strengthens the mind and enlivens the spirit (shen)
• Tones and fortifies the Yang energy (or Yang Jing) of the kidney
• Builds sexual strength and increases virility and fertility
• Strengthen the bones and tendons making it good for strengthening of the back, knees and waste
• Deer antler’s overall use is as a rejuvenating agent whose short term use is believed to quickly build strength and power, while consistent long-term use is believed to re-build deep life force, preserve youthfulness or even reverse aging, and to enhance longevity.

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Sea Cucumber as an aphrodisiac

The sea cucumber is an echinoderm of the class Holothuroidea, with an elongated body and leathery skin, which is found on the sea floor worldwide. It has a gelatinous characteristic and is distantly related to star fish and sea urchins. It is so named because of its cucumber-like shape. Like all echinoderms, sea cucumbers have an endoskeleton just below the skin. It has a distinctly phallic appearance, which may account for its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Sea cucumbers are generally scavengers, feeding on debris in the benthic layer. The diet of most cucumbers consists of plankton and decaying organic matter found in the sea. One way they might get a supply of food is to position themselves in a current where they can catch food that flow by with their tentacles when they open. Another way is to sift through the bottom sediments using their tentacles.

Sea cucumber is considered a delicacy in Far East countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. It is also highly valued for its supposed medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. The flesh of the animal is "cleaned" in a process that takes several days. The food item is often purchased dried, and then re-hydrated before use. The product is used in soups, stews and braised dishes due to its gelatinous texture.

Some varieties of sea cucumber, such as gamat in Malaysia and/or trepang in Indonesia, are said to have excellent healing properties. Traditionally, the Chinese believed that it can cure high blood pressure and joint pains. There are pharmaceutical companies being built based on this gamat product. Extracts are prepared and made into oil, cream or cosmetics. Some products are intended to be taken internally. The effectiveness of sea cucumber extract in tissue repair has been the subject of serious study. It not only helps a wound heal more quickly but is also said to reduce scarring. Its aphrodisiac properties were fetched from traditional Chinese beliefs surrounding the creature’s potent effects on virility and no scientific researches were made to prove the claims to it.

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Cobra an Aphrodisiac

It is quite uncertain how and why it started; but it hasn’t gone unnoticed for many psychologists that most aphrodisiacs, especially from the east, are derived mostly from creatures that are either dangerous, or are so rare that it is difficult to come by. Because of these beliefs of power being drawn from the bellies of rare poisonous and fierce animals, it often lead to disastrous consequences such as lives sacrificed for obtaining such precious (and most often highly priced) elixirs, and the demise of a species hunted down to extinction. One such animal is the cobra. The more poisonous the species is, the more potent its aphrodisiac qualities. (Of course, it follows that the more powerful the effect is the more expensive, right?)

Drinking these serpents’ blood is the usual method to derive its aphrodisiac power. It is done by mixing the cobra’s blood with a strong alcoholic beverage. Most say, the alcohol serves as a neutralizer to kill the taste of the snake’s blood. Other ways include infusing a whole cobra into a jar or bottle filled with alcohol (such as whiskey, rice wine, etc) with several other herbs to add-up to the sexual revitalizing effect and left for several years or months to produce a certain aged brew that most believe would yield better results. Most often, to avoid unnecessary wastage of the animal, the body (beheaded and dripped-off of blood) is usually cooked into a tasty culinary delight. Another rare and crazier process of getting the libidinous magic out of the cobra is by mixing a pint, perhaps just a miniscule, of its venom to a an alcoholic beverage. Now that, my friend, I believe, will definitely injure if not kill you, instead of causing your snake to throb inside your pants.

There had been no scientific research conducted to provide an answer to the claims of cobra’s aphrodisiac powers but there has been an insightful thought that crossed my search for answers about this controversy:

“It is clear that the cobra toxin has a powerful effect on smooth muscle and vascular endothelium (the things that cause erections) ... initially, cobra venom has a very powerful relaxing effect (which could cause the corpus callosum to relax and trap blood in strategic reproductive areas). The initial relaxation/expansion is followed by an opposing, contracting effect.”

---aphrodisiology.com (from PubMed Reference)

Because of the “pants-tightening” characteristic of cobras most eastern nations believe in, it elevated snake farming, particularly that of cobras, to both an art and a profitable business for enterprising farmers. As with virtually all foods, a fresh product is considered best. It is common practice for some unscrupulous proprietors though to substitute other substances for cobra blood. It is probably best to insist that the blood be extracted while you watch.

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Soup No. 5

Soup No. 5, or Lanciao in the Visayan region of Philippines, is a soup whose primary ingredient is a bull’s dick. It is believed to be a very potent aphrodisiac similar to Viagra. These claims of course come from those who are regularly eating the soup dish.

To the unsuspecting eye or palette, Soup No. 5 may simply look and taste like a regular meat soup. And since it’s made with an animal’s loins, many people–mostly Filipino men–believe that they can take on the physical attributes of the consumed animal and swear by the soup as a libido enhancer.

Beef penis and testicles are washed and cleaned, then scalded in boiling water. The genitalia are then cut into pieces and set aside. Various other ingredients such as pork or chicken, ginger, and vegetables are combined in a stock pot with the beef penis and testicles, covered with enough water and simmered until tender. It is then seasoned with salt or pepper and served hot.

The genitals along with the meat were all chopped to innocuous, bite-sized pieces which make it easy to get over the fact that you’re consuming the beef’s “tenders.” Eating the peen and balls isn’t daunting at all since they are tender like cartilage, slightly spongy and gummy.

A google search about a bull's testicles nutrition fact would yield you this:

Serving Size: 100g (3.5oz)
Calories: 135
Protein: 26g
Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 375mg
Carbohydrates: 1g

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Ants in Pants, When Ants are Used as Aphrodisiac

Nope it’s not one of those Chinese controversies where millions of investors lost big money to a company that had a plan to produce aphrodisiacs from ants. Actually, there is a tradition of using ants as aphrodisiacs, and some science that suggest how it might actually have a real effect.

Ants have been widely used and very highly regarded in China as a tonic for over 3000 years. Ant has been referred to in a number of famous Chinese medicinal classics, including Li Shi Chen’s Ben Cao Gang Mu, where the great master praised ants as a superior tonic with excellent curative powers. It has been universally touted as a superb Liver and Kidney tonic of the highest order. Its name, which it received in ancient times, means "black horse." Imperial records indicate that numerous emperors and other noblemen have consumed ant tonics to promote sexuality and to increase longevity.

In Amazon, a rare delicacy involves the world’s largest species of ant. Hormigas Culonas are harvested in the Colombian Amazon by the Guane Indians, during the short rainy season between March and June. They are then toasted in a mud pot over an open fire by the Indians. The Guane Indians believe that these Ants have youth giving and aphrodisiac properties and they are often served as fertility giving marriage food during nuptial ceremonies.

During the middle ages, an Arab doctor named Saduck wrote that ants can be used as an aphrodiac. He believed that if you take one hundred large, black ants and macerate them for three weeks in half an ounce of light oil you can then use the solution to anoint the urethra orifice to accelerate erections.

One ant species that has been marketed well as an aphrodisiac is Polyrhachis Vicina Roger, commonly known as "Black Ant". It’s from China and the Chinese believed it has such excellent curative powers that it's various beneficial effects include: increased strength, energy, stamina, strengthens the nervous system, digestive functions, detoxification functions and muscular system, boosts mental and physical energy (one of the probable reason why they were easily scammed with the “Ant Aphrodisiac” controversy).

Tonics made from these black ants were widely consumed to promote strength, sexual vigor and as a powerful antiaging agent. It is considered a premium adaptogenic substance in the same ranks as Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola, Schizandra, Cordyceps and Gynostemma, the adaptogenic superstars of traditinal Chinese medicine.

In traditional Chinese medicine, black ant tonic is widely believed to prevent common symptoms associated with aging, such as lumbago, memory loss, joint problems, fatigue, climacteric symptoms, cardiovascular disease, etc. Ant strengthens the entire Kidney system, including the sexual functions, skeletal structures and renal system. It also strengthens the nervous system, digestive functions, detoxification functions and muscular system. Therefore ant products have become extremely popular with middle aged and elderly consumers in Asia. Ants are being called the "forever young" nutritional supplement.

Several varieties of ants are used in traditional Chinese medicine, all with virtually the same attributes. These different varieties come from different regions in China. Each region claims that its ants are superior. Both black ants (primarily from southern and central China) and red ants (primarily from northeastern China) are used. Ants from high, pristine mountain ranges such as the Himalayas in southern China and Tibet, or the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China are considered the finest and most potent. Most of the tonic ants are large ants.

Ants are extremely rich in nutrients, including significant amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B12, D and E. An ant contains more than 42% protein and provides 8 essential amino acids. It contains enzymes and other active substances. The ATP in ants can provide energy directly to the human body. Ants are rich in more than 20 trace elements such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, and especially zinc.

Polyrachis, or this black ant, is particularly rich in zinc. Its zinc content is the highest among all known living organisms. Every gram of dried ants contains 180 mg. of zinc. This undoubtedly explains part of ant’s strong beneficial influence on sexuality, as zinc is a critical element in the human sexual function. Studies have shown that regular use of ant tonics can prevent and treat disorders associated with zinc deficiency, including senile cataract, night blindness, incontinence, and sexual dysfunctions (i.e. impotence, spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation in men and menorrhagia, frigidity and climacteric symptoms in women).

A unique set of aldehyde compounds found in all edible species of Polyrachis has been demonstrated to have a stronger tonic action than ginseng, and it has thus far been impossible to synthesize this chemical. These aldehydes compounds include geranicaldehyde (C10H16O) and formalindehyde (HCHO, C10H14O). It is believed to be a result of these and several similar aldehydes, as well as some other chemicals in ant, that give ants their enormous physical strength---and ultimately give the consumers of ant the well-established increase in strength and vitality.

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Spanish fly an Aphrodisiac

It’s not a fly from Spain. Neither is it a fly that buzzes Spanish. It's actually an emerald green beetle, commonly known as the blister beetle which is commonly used today for animal husbandry (animal mating particularly). The beetle is 15-22 mm long and 5-8 mm wide and is found on plants from the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) and Oleaceae (olive) families. Using it on animals incites the beasts to mate; it is for this reason that it was considered ages ago as a potent aphrodisiac.

The Spanish fly can be found in Spain but it certainly can also be found in other countries in the Mediterranean region, including Russia and some Asian countries. The reason it's known as the “blister beetle” is that when it feels threatened it secrets a caustic substance from its leg joints which, upon contact with human skin, causes irritation and can easily produce blisters. This colorless, odorless, crystalline substance is called cantharidin or cantharides. The traditional way of obtaining the cantharidin is not to collect or extract it in any way, but simply to gather beetles and to dry and crush them into a powder which will therefore contain cantharidin. The crushed powder of Spanish fly is of yellowish brown to brown-olive color with iridescent reflections, of disagreeable scent and bitter flavor.

The reason why it’s considered an aphrodisiac is because, once the beetle powder has been ingested, our body will excrete it in urine; and there, subsequently, it will irritate the urethral passages that leads to itching and swelling of genitals. In the early days, this swelling was mistaken for sexual arousal and gave rise to the belief that the powder had aphrodisiac qualities. In reality the swelling of the genitals is a result of serious inflammation and can be very painful, not pleasurable, and unfortunately the kidneys will suffer inflammation as well and may be permanently damaged. Today cantharidin is considered highly toxic and its presence in the body can result in severe gastrointestinal disturbances, sometimes leading to convulsions and even a coma that will further lead to death. It might have been successfully used as an aphrodisiac before since it was well documented as so (perhaps people back then loved it all swollen and irritated when making love); but considering the amount required is just a miniscule to be both harmful and aphrodisiac-like, and the difference between the effective dose and the harmful dose is quite narrow, why the hell should you play with it in the first place?

Its medical use dates back to descriptions from Hippocrates. Plasters made from wings of these beetles have been used to raise blisters. In ancient China, cantharides beetles were mixed with human dung, arsenic and wolfsbane to make the world's first recorded stink bomb. It is also one of the world’s most well-known aphrodisiacs. In Roman times, Livia, the scheming wife of Augustus Caesar, would slip it into food hoping to inspire her guests to some indiscretion with which she could later blackmail them. Henry IV (1050-1106) is known to have consumed Spanish fly at the risk of his health. In 1572, the famous French surgeon Ambroise Paré wrote an account of a man suffering from "the most frightful satyriasis" after having taken a potion composed of nettles and cantharides. In the 1670s, Spanish fly was mixed with dried moles and bat's blood for a love charm made by the black magician La Voisin. It was slipped into the food of Louis XIV to secure the king's lust for Madame de Montespan. In the 18th century cantharides became fashionable, known as pastilles Richelieu in France. Marquis de Sade is claimed to have given aniseed-flavored pastilles that were laced with Spanish fly to prostitutes at an orgy in 1772. Two of the prostitutes nearly lost their lives. He was sentenced to death for poisoning and sodomy, but later reprieved on appeal. In 1954 in London, Arthur Ford became infatuated with his office colleague, Betty Grant, and decided to give her and another female co-worker coconut bon bons which he laced with cantharidin powder. The women started vomiting blood within an hour and collapsed in extreme pain. The next day they died. He was later convicted and was sent to prison.

Cantharidin is extremely dangerous but the advertised products like "Herbal Spanish fly", "Mexican Spanish Fly", and "Spanish Fly Potions" are simply cayenne pepper in capsules, sometimes blended with the powder of ginseng, kelp, ginger or gotu kola. They are just substitutes to produce that spicy flavor for the palette, of course, and not to swell the genitals. The products with the name "Spanische Fliege (Spanish fly)" that are available in Germany is the one that contains the active cantharidin substance but represent no danger with a normal application since they are actually only a homeopathic dosage level, diluted to be effectively non-existent.

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