We and our ancestors often had to deal with sexual issues. It's possible that our descendants will face them too.
This is probably why sexually active humanity has always used aphrodisiacs (Greek aphrodisiacos – love, from the name of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite). These are substances that stimulate sexual desire and enhance sexual performance—simply put, sexual doping.
Plant sources of love energy were often simply narcotics. In the form of powders, ointments, and drinks, they were consumed by Peruvian Indians and Mexican priests. In the East, opium was revered for its voluptuousness. Ritual orgies in Central America were incomplete without hallucinogenic cacti and mushrooms. In Europe, truffle mushrooms were prized for their ability to “rekindle a dying fire.” Napoleon and Talleyrand, renowned ladies' men, often washed down their truffles with white Rhine wine.
Incidentally, commonplace morels, butter mushrooms, and birch boletes contain a lot of zinc, which has a positive effect on male reproductive capacity and also enhances potency. Wild mustard, thyme, mint, horseradish, anise, celery, coriander, and asparagus are mentioned in both ancient and modern pharmacopoeias as remedies for “lazy” genitals. Radishes, according to the Romans, “warmed the blood.” Ovid sang the praises of onions: “If your wife is old and your penis is worn out, fill your stomach with onions.”
Celery was a staple in Madame de Pompadour's diet. Cappuccino, a frothy mixture of cream and coffee invented by the Capuchin monks (the monks truly knew what they were doing!), helps maintain sexual arousal. Vanilla and cocoa, consumed in moderation, also boost sexual arousal. Plant pollen preparations, honey, olive oil, nuts, dates, and bananas—this is far from a complete list of well-known male “energy boosters.” Ginseng root is also worth mentioning. It is the king of aphrodisiacs, and remains popular even four thousand years later.
Aralia, magnolia vine, and leuzea are closely related to ginseng, but lack its potency. For centuries, the bark of the yohimbe tree played the role of ginseng in Cameroon. Its modern version is the medicinal preparation yohimbine, which is available in our pharmacies. Nutmeg, pepper, cloves, saffron, ginger, rosemary, and many other aromatic spices are highly conducive to sensuality. In gallant times, ladies successfully seduced gentlemen with the scent of “angel's water,” which included citrus blossom juice, rose water, and myrtle water. Wine infused with myrtle leaves was considered an aphrodisiac and was consumed by partners directly in the boudoir. The amorous Catherine de Medici's diet included artichokes and garlic.
Incidentally, garlic is the main ingredient in many alcohol and wine tinctures that enhance potency. Here's an ancient Chinese imperial recipe for increasing the strength of the “jade rod”: the cloves of one head of garlic are cut in half lengthwise, placed in a glass container, and filled with a one-to-one water-alcohol solution (300 ml). Infuse for three days in complete darkness. On the fourth day, drain the liquid and take this royal aphrodisiac before meals three times a day. 15-30 drops. The ancient Romans practiced the “drink of Eros”: wine with crushed coriander and garlic. Another variation: grated garlic, almonds, hazelnuts, and sage, infused in white wine.
King Henry IV of France, renowned for his amorous escapades, gave history his signature recipe: a shot of cognac mixed with an egg yolk and a few cloves of garlic. His wife, the famous Queen Margot, used red wine with artichokes as a sexual enhancer. The once-famous “Cazin wine” for love was nothing more than an infusion of grated horseradish and juniper berries in white wine.
Among animal aphrodisiacs, fish is worth noting. Among fish-eating cultures, men maintain sexual activity for many years. They benefit from the protein-rich caviar and milt, which contain a lot of phosphorus. Crayfish, lobster, crab, clams, squid, and kelp have long been proven effective. Snails and eggs are considered aphrodisiacs. It is said that Julius Caesar could not resist snails, which evoke intense sexual desire. Fried eggs are highly prized by Eastern sheikhs before the “evening round” of the harem. Preparations made from maral antlers are now, it seems, well-known.
Exotic aphrodisiacs include castoreum and musk from musk deer, secreted by special glands in these animals. In Taiwan and Malaysia, snake blood and lizard skin powder are still consumed. Insects were also used: the ancient Egyptians used infusions of the sacred scarab. The Spanish fly, whose body and wings contain cantharidin, which causes intense arousal, has been known in Europe for centuries. During the French Revolution, it was an essential ingredient in love candies and drinks. Many ancient aphrodisiacs were poisons. It's no wonder that in ancient Rome, the sale of certain particularly mystical love potions was punishable by law. Incidentally, caution is still advised today. Aphrodisiacs should not be treated as an innocent, exotic amusement: many of them, due to their pronounced stimulating effect, can provoke a hypertensive crisis or priapism (a painful erection that lasts for many hours).
If you're prudent and self-aware, aphrodisiacs will certainly add new flavor to your intimate life. Sometimes you can even mix it up yourself. Here are a few homemade recipes for sexual enhancement.
A famous anise liqueur. Green anise, angelica, coriander (10 g each), celery, and dill (6 g each) are steeped in a liter of alcohol for three months. Drink the liqueur before meals or sexual intercourse, 15-30 drops at a time. There are two other French recipes.
“Perfect Love.” 40g lemon zest, 30g thyme, 15g cinnamon, 10g each vanilla, coriander, and nutmeg peel, 2l dry white wine. Let the mixture steep for two weeks, then add sugar syrup (2kg sugar per liter of water) and filter. Take 50ml.
“Eternal Youth.” Vanilla beans, cinnamon, ginseng, and rhubarb—30 g each, Malaga or old Chablis wine—1 liter. Infuse for 15 days. Shake daily! After filtering, add 15 drops of ambergris, if available. If ambergris is unavailable, substitute with a drop of neroli or sandalwood oil. Take 30 ml.
Perhaps the aphrodisiac will have such an effect on you that after a bout of passionate love, you'll need to recuperate. Incidentally, Avicenna (Ibn Sina) recommended men warm an egg yolk with wine and musk for this purpose.