aphrodisiac

Dictionary: aph·ro·di·si·ac (ăf'rə-dē'zē-ăk', -dĭz'ē-) pronunciation

adj.
Arousing or intensifying sexual desire.

n.
Something, such as a drug or food, having such an effect.

[Greek aphrodīsiakos, from aphrodīsiā, sexual pleasures, from Aphrodītē, Aphrodite.]

aphrodisiacal aph'ro·di·si'a·cal (-dĭ-zī'ĭ-kəl) adj.

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Wordsmith Words: aphrodisiac

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(af-ruh-DIZ-ee-ak, -DEE-zee-)
adjective

Arousing or intensifying sexual desire.
noun
Something, such as a drug or food, having such an effect.

[Greek aphrodisiakos, from aphrodisia, sexual pleasures, from Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty in Greek Mythology.]

Usage:

"Here the myths have done wanton destruction to rhinos. Someone began the myth that rhino horns are an aphrodisiac. Scientifically it has been proved false and you can chew your finger nails if you like and nothing will stimulate you, for rhino horns and human finger nails are made of the same stuff called keratin, which forms nails and hair." — Kapungwe Bwalya, More on How Animals Have Influence On Humanity, The Times of Zambia, Sep 6, 1999 (via Africa News Service).

Food Lover's Companion: aphrodisiac

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[af-ruh-DEE-zee-ak] Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, aphrodisiacs are substances (including food or drink) that are purported to arouse or increase sexual desire. Among the most widely touted aphrodisiacs are caviar, frog legs, oysters and truffles and, of course, one's imagination.

Thesaurus: aphrodisiac

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adjective

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: aphrodisiac

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Any of various forms of stimulation thought to arouse sexual excitement. They may be psychophysiological (arousing the senses of sight, touch, smell, or hearing) or internal (e.g., foods, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medicinal preparations). Most foods traditionally believed to be aphrodisiacs have no chemical components that would have such an effect. In some cases, their reputation may be based on a supposed resemblance to genitalia (e.g., ginseng root, rhinoceros horn). Drugs such as alcohol or marijuana may lead to sexual excitation by lessening the user's inhibitions. Few medical studies have been conducted; the only substances medically recognized as aphrodisiacs are extremely hazardous to the health.

For more information on aphrodisiac, visit Britannica.com.

Food & Culture Encyclopedia: Aphrodisiacs

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Throughout the centuries, emperors and everyday folk alike have ingested, imbibed, sprinkled, or applied almost every conceivable substance—from almond paste to zebra tongues—in the hope of arousing sexual desire. Whether to woo a reluctant lover, revive a flagging libido, or pique carnal pleasure and performance, lovers the world over have relied on aphrodisiacs to do the trick. But which ones have the greatest reputations for potency (and why?) and do any of them really work?

Aphrodisiacs Through the Ages

The association between food and eroticism is primal, but some foods have more aphrodisiacal qualities than others. Biblical heroines, ancient Egyptians, and Homeric sorceresses all swore by the root and fruit of the mandrake plant. The grape figured prominently in the sensual rites of Greek Dionysian cults, and well-trained geishas have been known to peel plump grapes for their pampered customers. Fermented, of course, grape juice yields wine, renowned for loosening inhibitions and enhancing attraction (though as Shakespeare's porter wryly notes in Macbeth, alcohol "provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance"). Honey sweetens the nectarlike philters prescribed in the Kama Sutra to promote sexual vigor, and the modern "honeymoon" harks back to the old custom for newlyweds to drink honeyed mead in their first month of marriage. Grains like rice and wheat have long been associated with fertility if not with love, and Avena sativa (green oats), an ingredient in many over-thecounter sexual stimulants, may explain why young people are advised to "sow their wild oats." Numerous herbs and spices—basil, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, fenugreek, ginger, pepper, saffron, and vanilla, to name a few—appear in ancient and medieval recipes for love potions, as well as in lists of foodstuffs forbidden in convents because of their aphrodisiac properties.

Among other delicacies banned by the Church in centuries past were black beans, avocados, and chocolate, presumably all threats to chastity. And truffles—both earthy black and ethereal white—caused religious consternation in the days of the Arab empire. One story has it that the muhtasib of Seville tried to prohibit their sale anywhere near a mosque, for fear they would corrupt the morals of good Muslims. For those who held debauchery in higher esteem, the list of favored aphrodisiacs was bound only by the imagination. The herb valerian, noted for its stimulant properties at lower doses, was long a brothel favorite, and yu-jo, professional women of pleasure in feudal Japan, supplemented their charms with the aphrodisiacal powers of eels, lotus root, and charred newts.

From Symbol to Science

How did certain foods come to be regarded as aphrodisiacs in the first place? In some cases, legendary associations play a likely role: Cleopatra is rumored to have rubbed her private parts with a honey-almond mixture that drove Mark Antony mad. Some believe that the Aztec ruler Montezuma fortified himself with upwards of fifty cups of chocolate before visiting his harem (though more scholarly reports contend it was the conquistadors who sought such reinforcement). Casanova famously boasted of seducing a virgin by slipping a raw oyster into her mouth. Madame du Barry is said to have used ginger in a custardy concoction that stirred Louis XV to passion. And because Aphrodite, Greek goddess of sexual love, was said in myth to be born from the sea, a beguiling array of seafoods have been deemed aphrodisiacs (her very name is the source of the word).

Symbolism, too, plays an obvious part. During the Middle Ages, the Law of Similarities, or Doctrine of Signatures, held that in God's universe "like causes like," so suggestively shaped and textured substances were believed to enhance virility and fertility by virtue of their resemblance to sexual organs. Firm, elongated asparagus, sea cucumbers, and ginseng (literally, "manroot") and moist, fleshy figs, peaches, and oysters are prime examples. Other symbolic aphrodisiacs are rhinoceros horn and deer antler and the sex organs of animals known for their virility or procreative fervor, such as the tiger or rabbit.

Some foods are exalted as aphrodisiacs by virtue of their rarity or luxury. Bird's nest soup, foie gras, caviar, truffles, and champagne are all, even if no longer necessarily difficult to obtain, still suggestive of wealth and largesse, playing into the age-old association among food, sex, and the provision of resources. Certain foods also lend themselves to particularly sensual dining rituals and modes of eating. Preparing food tableside with competence and élan, consuming whole ripe fruits or succulent birds or crustaceans, eating with the hands, licking fingers coated in delectable juices, feeding one's partner, sharing food from a common platter, sucking and slurping seductively—such acts and rituals constitute true foreplay for culinarily inclined lovers.

"No one has ever succeeded at seduction by means of food alone," wrote Manuel Vázquez Montalbán in his Immoral Recipes, "but there's a long list of those who have seduced by talking about that which was about to be eaten." Certainly, stimulating the mind helps stoke the sexual appetite, and it is our social and cultural associations that imbue certain foods with erotic meanings. But is there solid scientific evidence to support the claims made for aphrodisiacs beyond their placebo effect?

Proponents of chocolate point out that it contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, the brain chemical believed to underlie the euphoric sensation of being "in love." But eating chocolate has not been found to actually increase PEA levels in the body. The chili pepper may have a stronger claim to its fiery reputation: it quickens the pulse and induces sweating, mimicking the state of sexual arousal, and has also been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, naturally occurring opiates that play a role in sexual pleasure. Ginkgo biloba, said to boost both mental and sexual performance, may restore or enhance physical function by increasing blood flow to the genitals, but the safety and efficacy of this herbal enhancer are still unclear (heart patients and those on aspirin need to be especially cautious). Garlic may promote potency through a similar mechanism, with its high content of arginine, an amino acid that enhances blood flow and could thereby augment erections. The lure of the elusive truffle may derive in part from a pheromonelike chemical it contains, similar to one secreted in the saliva of male pigs to attract sows. And the oyster, that consummate aphrodisiac, is noted not only for its fleshy, briny sensuality but also for its rich supply of zinc, which may aid normal sperm production and libido (though it is unlikely that oysters make a difference in any but the most zinc-deficient diets).

The Ultimate Aphrodisiac

Overall, aphrodisiacs seem to be more the stuff of folklore than of science. But in the realm of food and love, the power of the imagination is not to be ignored—believing something's an aphrodisiac may well make it so. Yet all the oysters in the world cannot take the place of the ultimate aphrodisiac. As the Roman philosopher Seneca once promised, "I will show you a philter without potions, without herbs, without any witch's incantation—if you wish to be loved, love."

The Notorious Spanish Fly

Cantharides, a potent preparation made from the crushed dried bodies of the green blister beetle, has been famed throughout history as an aphrodisiac. The Marquis de Sade reportedly favored Spanish fly to enhance virility, and an entire legion of nineteenth-century French soldiers "stood at attention" for prolonged periods after feasting on frogs that had themselves been dining on cantharidin-laden beetles.

Spanish fly does indeed produce erections, but one might die for the pleasure: the French legionnaires in question suffered from priapism, persistent painful erections that, untreated, can result in scarring and permanent loss of erectile function. Antonio Gamoneda in The Book of Poisons noted that "Great injury befalls those who take the Spanish Fly, because they will feel a burning corrosion in almost all their body. . . . They will suffer from swoons, surfeit, and lightheadedness, and will fall to the floor and gnaw table legs." This urogenital-tract irritant can be deadly and should be avoided.

Fortunately, safer drugs are now available to aid impotence, and people experiencing sexual dysfunction are well advised to seek medical advice.

Bibliography

Ackerman, Diane. A Natural History of Love. New York: Random House, 1995.

Allende, Isabel. Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses. Translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden. New York: HarperCollins, 1998.

Flandrin, Jean-Louis, and Massimo Montanari, eds. Food: ACulinary History from Anquity to the Present. English edition by Albert Sonnenfeld. New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.

Hopkins, Martha, and Randall Lockridge. InterCourses: AnAphrodisiac Cookbook. Memphis, Tenn.: Terrace, 1997.

Nordenberg, Tamar. "Looking for a Libido Lift? The Facts about Aphrodisiacs." FDA Consumer 30, no. 1 ( January–February 1996): 10–15.

—Meryl S. Rosofsky

Wikipedia: Aphrodisiac

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This article is about agents which are said to increase sexual desire. For the song by Bow Wow Wow, see Bow Wow Wow#Discography. For the album by Brandy, see Afrodisiac.

An aphrodisiac is a substance which is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire.^[1] The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable. However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the alleged results may have been mainly due to mere belief by their users that they would be effective (i.e., the placebo effect). In particular, Western medical science has no substantiated claims that any particular food increases sexual desire or performance.^[2]

A rhinoceros horn, falsely believed by some to have aphrodisiac properties. (In fact, however, the particular Chinese medicine shown in the picture is not an aphrodisiac but an antipyretic.)

Some aphrodisiacs gain their reputation from the principles of sympathetic magic, for example oysters, due to their shape. The same factor explains the trade in the phallic-looking horn of the rhinoceros. Other animal-based aphrodisiacs gain their reputation from the apparent virility or aggressiveness of the animal source, such as tiger penis.

1 Aphrodisiac drugs
2 Aphrodisiac foods and herbs
3 See also
4 External links and references
5 Sources

Aphrodisiac drugs

Testosterone

Libido is clearly linked to levels of sex hormones, particularly testosterone.^[3] When a reduced sex drive occurs in individuals with relatively low levels of testosterone^[4] (e.g., post-menopausal women or men over age 60^[5]), testosterone supplements will often increase libido. Approaches using a number of precursors intended to raise testosterone levels have been effective in older males,^[6] but have not fared well when tested on other groups.^[7]

Yohimbine

Yohimbine is the main alkaloid of Yohimbe. Yohimbe, but not Yohimbine, is often popularly referred to as a "weak MAO inhibitor" although no sources are cited for this. Pharmaceutical preparations of yohimbine do not indicate that the drug, which is approved in the US for treatment of impotence (under such brand names as Yocon,Yohimex, Aphrodyne and Viritab), is an MAO inhibitor. Its main action is as an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, by which yohimbine may increase genital bloodflow and both sexual sensitivity and excitation in some people. Preparations of yohimbe bark are available over-the-counter and should be used with caution. The unrefined yohimbe bark contains several active alkaloids besides yohimbine. Side effects can include rapid pulse, sweating, and anxiety reactions in susceptible people. Pharmaceutical preparations of yohimbine can also produce these side effects at higher doses, but are available in standardized doses which allow the patient to dose in a controlled fashion. Some patients report a cumulative prosexual effect using the drug over time. ^[8]^[9]

Bremelanotide

Compounds that activate the melanocortin receptors MC3-R and MC4-R in the brain are the first class of actually effective and selective aphrodisiac drugs. One compound from this class, bremelanotide, formerly known as PT-141, is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of sexual arousal disorder and erectile dysfunction. It is intended for both men and women. Preliminary results have proven the efficacy of this drug^[10],however development was briefly suspended^[11] due to a side effect of increased blood pressure observed in a small number of trial subjects administered the drug intranasally. On August 12, 2009, Palatin, the company developing the drug, announced positive results (none of the previous heightened blood pressure effects were observed) of a phase I clinical study where trial subjects were instead administered the drug subcutaneously.^[12] Palatin is concurrently developing a related compound they call PL-6983.

Melanotan II

Melanotan II, bremelanotide's precursor has been demonstrated to have aphrodisiac properties.^[13]^[14]^[15]

PEA

There is some debate in lay circles as to whether a chemical called phenylethylamine present in chocolate is an aphrodisiac. There is some evidence to support the theory that phenethylamine release in the brain may be involved in sexual attraction and arousal^{[citation needed]}, but this compound is quickly degraded by the enzyme MAO and so it is unlikely that any significant concentrations would reach the brain when phenethylamine is taken orally.

Crocin

As per a new study, Crocin has demonstrated the properties of an aphrodisiac in rats. ^[16]This is supported by pilot tests that demonstrate the efficacy of Saffron as an aphrodisiac.^[17]

Alkyl nitrites

Alkyl nitrites, (poppers), have a long history of use as a sexual enhancement aid, going back about fifty years. According to the text "Isobutyl nitrite and Related Compounds", many researchers agree that the alkyl nitrite may be a true aphrodisiac in the sense of promoting and enhancing sexual response.^[18] ^[19]

Traditional medicine

Some substances containing NO and HCN, e.g. nitroglycerin, cherry and plum stones are commonly used as aphrodisiacs. Ziziphus, beet and ragweed sometimes were used as sexual stimulants in the past.

Other drugs

Stimulants affecting the dopamine system such as cocaine and amphetamines (e.g. methamphetamine, aka crystal meth) are frequently associated with hyperarousal and hypersexuality, though both may impair sexual functioning, particularly with long term use. A newer dopamine reuptake inhibitor MDPV has also been noted to have characteristic hypersexual effects.

Some directly acting dopamine agonists may also cause increased libido, although they can also cause various side effects. Pramipexole is the only dopamine agonist used in medicine as an aphrodisiac, and is sometimes prescribed to counteract the decrease in libido associated with SSRI antidepressant drugs. The older dopamine agonist apomorphine has been used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but is of poor efficacy and has a tendency to cause nausea. Other dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine and cabergoline may also be associated with increased libido, as can the dopamine precursor L-Dopa, but this is often part of a spectrum of side effects which can include mood swings and problem gambling and so these drugs are not prescribed for this purpose.

The libido-enhancing effects of dopamine agonists prescribed for other purposes has led to the development of a number of more selective compounds such as flibanserin, ABT-670 and PF-219,061, which have been developed specifically for the treatment of sexual dysfunction disorders, although none of them have yet passed clinical trials.^[20]

Drugs not considered aphrodisiacs

Some psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis,^[21]^{[not in citation given]} methaqualone, GHB and MDMA can increase libido and sexual desire. However these drugs are not aphrodisiacs in the strict sense of the definition, as they do not consistently produce aphrodisiac effects as their main action. However, these drugs are sometimes used to increase sexual pleasure and to reduce sexual inhibition.

Anti-erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra and Levitra, are not considered aphrodisiacs because they do not have any direct effect on the brain, although increased ability to attain an erection may be interpreted as increased sexual arousal by users of these drugs.

Aphrodisiac foods and herbs

Mucuna pruriens

Tribulus terrestris

Ginseng

Some natural items purported to be aphrodisiacs when ingested or applied to the body.

Ambergris^[22]
Arugula (Rocket) (Eruca sativa)
Atta laevigata
Balut
Cow cod soup (Jamaican Aphrodisiac)
Borojo (Borojoa patinoi)
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Epimedium grandiflorum (Horny Goat Weed)^[23]
Eurycoma longifolia^[24]^[25]
Ginkgo biloba^[26]^[27]
Ginseng^[28]^[29]^[30]
Lettuce, considered an aphrodisiac in Ancient Egypt^{[citation needed]}. Eaten by the sexually potent God of Chaos, Seth.
Maca^[31]^[32]
Mannish Water (goat soup, Jamaican Aphrodisiac)

Mucuna pruriens^[33]
Mamajuana Dominican Republic alcoholic sex drink
Oysters
Dark Chocolate
Saffron
Socratea exorrhiza^{[citation needed]}
Spanish fly (cantharidin)^[34]
Tribulus terrestris^[35]^[36]^[37]
Yohimbine

Some newly introduced exotic foods often acquire such a reputation, at least until they become more familiar; for example:

Artichokes
Asparagus In 19th-century France, bridegrooms were served three courses of the vegetable at their prenuptial dinner.
Bananas The sap of the red banana is considered an aphrodisiac in Central America^{[citation needed]}
Mamey sapote^{[citation needed]}
Tomatoes (allegedly to the French term pomme d'amour as a misrendering of pomme de Maure)^{[citation needed]}
Truffles
strawberries

External links and references

Gabriele Froböse, Rolf Froböse, Michael Gross (Translator): Lust and Love: Is it more than Chemistry? Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry, ISBN 0-85404-867-7, (2006).
Aphrodisiology A collection of articles and essays on aphrodisiacs.
Aphrodisiacs and Anti-aphrodisiacs: Three Essays on the Powers of Reproduction by John Davenport.

Sources

^ Definition at thefreedictionary.com
^ Article on aphrodisiacs at the US Food and Drugs Administration website.
^ R. Shabsigh (1997). "The effects of testosterone on the cavernous tissue and erectile function". World J. Urol 15: 21. doi:10.1007/BF01275152. PMID 9066090.
^ Goldstat, Rebecca; Esther Briganti, Jane Tran, Rory Wolfe, Susan R. Davis (September 2003). "Transdermal testosterone therapy improves well-being, mood, and sexual function in premenopausal women.". Menopause 10 (5): 390–8. doi:10.1097/01.GME.0000060256.03945.20. PMID 14501599.
^ Gray, P.B.; A.B. Singh, L.J. Woodhouse, T.W. Storer, R. Casaburi, J. Dzekov, C. Dzekov, I. Sinha-Hikim, S. Bhasin (2005). "Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on sexual function, mood, and visuospatial cognition in older men". J Clin Endocrinol Metab.. PMID 15827094.
^ Brown, G.A.; Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS. (2001). "Effects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old men". Int J Vitam Nutr Res. PMID 11725694.
^ Brown, G.A.; Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS. (2000). "Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men.". Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. PMID 10997957.
^ Adeniyi, A.A.; Brindley GS, Pryor JP, Ralph DJ. (2007). "Yohimbine in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction". Asian J Androl 9: 403. doi:10.1111/J.1745-7262.2007.00276.x. PMID 17486282.
^ Kovalev, V.A.; Koroleva SV, Kamalov AA. (2000). "Pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction.". Urologiia. PMID 16856460.
^ King, S.H.; Mayorov AV, Balse-Srinivasan P, Hruby VJ, Vanderah TW, Wessells H. (2007). "Melanocortin receptors, melanotropic peptides and penile erection.". Curr Top Med Chem.. PMID 17584130.
^ "Palatin Technologies Announces New Strategic Objectives". http://palatin.com/news/news.asp?ID=201. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
^ "PALATIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. REPORTS POSITIVE BREMELANOTIDE STUDY; IMPROVED SAFETY PROFILE WITH SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION". http://www.palatin.com/news/news.asp?param=221. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
^ Hadley ME (Oct 2005). "Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans". Peptides 26 (10): 1687–9. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2005.01.023. PMID 15996790.
^ "CNN.com "Tanning drug may find new life as Viagra alternative"" (HTML). CNN. 1999. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/men/9906/17/viagra.alternative/. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
^ "Tanning Bonus" (HTML). Time. 1999. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101990628-27167,00.html. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
^ http://www.aphrodisiology.com/saffron-aphrodisiac-update
^ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B7GVW-4W80C78-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3e4e364feabc968403f8ac94332ef4f5
^ "ISOBUTYL NITRITE and Related Compounds". http://www.virusmythpoppersmyth.org/isobutyl_nitrite_and_rela/. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
^ "ALL ABOUT POPPERS". http://www.allaboutpoppers.com/. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
^ Brioni JD, Moreland RB. Dopamine D4 receptors and the regulation of penile erection. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies. 2006;3(4):599-604. doi:10.1016/j.ddstr.2006.10.006
^ "Cannabis Puts Females in the Mood for Love". Mark Henderson, The Times. 2001-01-29. http://cannabisnews.com/news/8/thread8414.shtml. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
^ Sandroni P. Aphrodisiacs past and present: a historical review. Clinical Autonomic Research. 2001 Oct;11(5):303-7. PMID 11758796
^ "Epimedium grandiflorum". www.ibiblio.org. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Epimedium+grandiflorum. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
^ Ang, H.H.; M.K. Sim (1997). "Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances libido in sexually experienced male rats.". Exp Anim.. PMID 9353636.
^ Ang, H.H.; Lee KL, Kiyoshi M. (2004). "Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.". J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol.. PMID 15803965.
^ McKay, D. (2004). "Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence.". Altern Med Rev.. PMID 15005641.
^ Cohen, A.J.; Bartlik B. (1998). "Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.". J Sex Marital Ther.. PMID 9611693.
^ Sandroni, P. (October 2001). "Aphrodisiacs past and present: a historical review.". Clin Auton Res. 11 (5): 303–7.. doi:10.1007/BF02332975. PMID 11758796.
^ Murphy, L.L.; Lee TJ. (2002). "Ginseng, sex behavior, and nitric oxide.". Ann N Y Acad Sci.. PMID 12076988.
^ "Single Plant Activity Query". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/plant_act.pl?GET+694+Aphrodisiac+PL. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
^ Gonzales, G.F.; Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C. (2003). "Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men.". J Endocrinol.. PMID 12525260.
^ Gonzales, G.F.; Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C, Castillo S. (2002). "Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men.". Andrologia.. PMID 12472620.
^ Amin KMY, Khan MN, Zillur-Rehman S, et al. (1996) "Sexual function improving effect of Mucuna pruriens in sexually normal male rats". Fitoterapia, jrg.67 (nr.1): pp. 53-58. Quote: The seeds of M. pruriens are widely used for treating male sexual dysfunction in Tibb-e-Unani (Unani Medicine)
^ Karras, D.J.; Farrell SE, Harrigan RA, Henretig FM, Gealt L. (1996). "Poisoning from "Spanish fly" (cantharidin).". Am J Emerg Med.. PMID 8765116.
^ Gauthaman, K.; A.P. Ganesan, R.N. Prasad. (2003). "Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model.". J Altern Complement Med. 9: 257. doi:10.1089/10755530360623374. PMID 12804079.
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^ Neychev, V.K.; V.I. Mitev (2005). "The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence androgen production in young men.". J Ethnopharmacol.. PMID 15994038.

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Translations: Aphrodisiac

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - afrodisiakum, elskovsmiddel
adj. - seksuelt pirrende, afrodisiakalsk

Nederlands (Dutch)
seksueel prikkelend, middel om seksueel te prikkelen

Français (French)
n. - aphrodisiaque
adj. - aphrodisiaque

Deutsch (German)
n. - Aphrodisiakum, den Geschlechtstrieb anregendes Mittel
adj. - aphrodisisch, erotisch

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (φυσιολ.) αφροδισιακό
adj. - (φυσιολ.) αφροδισιακός

Italiano (Italian)
afrodisiaco

Português (Portuguese)
n. - afrodisíaco (m)
adj. - afrodisíaco

Русский (Russian)
средство, усиливающее половое влечение

Español (Spanish)
n. - afrodisíaco
adj. - afrodisíaco

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - afrodisiakum
adj. - sexuellt uppeggande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
春药, 壮阳剂, 激发性欲的, 催欲的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 春藥, 壯陽劑
adj. - 激發性欲的, 催欲的

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 최음제
adj. - 최음의

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 性欲促進薬, 催淫剤, 媚薬
adj. - 情欲を起こさせる, 性欲を起こさせる

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مثير للشهوه الجنسيه (صفه) عقار أو طعام يثير الشهوه الجنسيه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮שיקוי אהבה‬
adj. - ‮מעורר תאווה מינית‬

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		Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
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