Swallow it, smell it, snort it or slowly suck on it, what exactly is an aphrodisiac? The common definition involves any ingestible item used with the intention of sparking libido, improving sexual function or amplifying pleasure.
Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love (she happened to be born from the sea and came to land by oyster or shellfish), aphrodisiacs have been around since the dawn of time. Some theories point to the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden as the OG of all aphrodisiacs. Others look towards the High Middle Ages as a time where herbalism, mysticism and plant power were infused and used to elevate sex. Regardless of their origin, what made aphrodisiacs initially intriguing was they were a luxury – expensive, rare (caviar and truffles), and sometimes shaped like sex organs (chili peppers and figs).
Do aphrodisiacs work? That depends on who you ask. A lot more people believe that their potency lies less in chemistry and more in psychology. Still, if this mind-over-matter theory is true (a.k.a. the placebo effect), does it matter if it’s all in our mind? Not really. Your body is more likely to feel the outcomes you want it to feel if you believe it can or will.
The act of planning, sharing and savoring something sensual can be just as arousing as the thing itself. Feeding our partner a chocolate dipped strawberry, or a bunch of grapes, can be as erotic as porn. If warming up the oven, or steaming up the kitchen puts you in the mood, those are good enough reasons to keep aphrodisiacs on the menu (for actual recipes check out this aphrodisiac cookbook).
Aphrodisiacs also work on a very practical level because they can trigger saliva production, which helps keep things wet. Whether that lubrication pertains to the mouth or the mound, when things are moist, there’s more capacity for movement and flow. Plus, many aphrodisiacs have medicinal properties. Certain plants have been shown to help with sexual function. Slurping an oyster boosts your zinc intake (which can help with penis power) and the visual is its own form of erotic art. Even a little red wine may improve women’s sexual health and create an environment where novelty and naughtiness combine.
‘Girl Eating Oysters’ • Jan Steen circa 1660.
Scent plays a role too. Research from the 1990s found correlations between certain smells – like pumpkin pie and cinnamon – increased penile blood flow. And other scents are also great for setting, improving, or changing our environment. Scents like jasmine, vanilla, rose, lavender and sandalwood are a few that can help set a mood or put us in one.
Not only does the nose know, but we know too that however you fry it up, people will find ways to combine food, scents, and herbs with sex. Aphrodisiacs don’t work because they promise arousal, they work because they give us permission to feed our bodies with what we desire.
Jamye Waxman, PhD is a sex and couples therapist based out of Los Angeles, CA.
