What Is an Aphrodisiac?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons to Try AphrodisiacsTypes of AphrodisiacsUsesImpact of AphrodisiacsHow to Use AphrodisiacsPotential Pitfalls of AphrodisiacsHistory of Aphrodisiacs

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Reasons to Try Aphrodisiacs

Types of Aphrodisiacs

Uses

Impact of Aphrodisiacs

How to Use Aphrodisiacs

Potential Pitfalls of Aphrodisiacs

History of Aphrodisiacs

Close

An aphrodisiac is any substance or food that increases sexual desire, arousal, behavior, performance, or pleasure. There are a number of reasons why people may want to take an aphrodisiac to improve their sex lives. Such reasons may include lowlibidoor to improve sexual performance, but sometimes people may want to simply try to enjoy sex more.

Although many products purport to increase sexual desire and pleasure, the effectiveness of aphrodisiacs has not yet been firmly established. Research has often failed to show the effectiveness of some substances and, in some cases, has even shown that some substances may have adverse side effects.

For example, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that Yohimbe, a compound derived from the bark of the African yohimbine tree that has been used as an aphrodisiac, has been linked to heart attacks, seizures, high blood pressure, and stomach problems.

The word “aphrodisiac” comes from the name of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Aphrodisiacs have been used and sought after for thousands of years and have often been made from everything from minerals to food to plants.

A good sex life is often cited as an important part of a healthy and happy relationship, so it’s no wonder there is such a tremendous amount of interest in finding products that can make sex more enjoyable. There are a number of different reasons why people try aphrodisiacs:

Sexual Dysfunction

Aphrodisiacs might be something you want to try to help spice up your sex life, but in some cases, people might want to use them to help address sexual problems.

Pleasure and Performance

Sexual problems aren’t the only reason why people might turn to aphrodisiacs. The promise of great sex is appealing, so it’s not surprising that people might turn to something that promises to increase desire and participation in sex. Aphrodisiacs are often purported to make sex more desirable, exciting, and pleasurable, but whether they are actually able to do these things is still under investigation.

The Benefits of Having Sex More Often

Some different types of aphrodisiacs include:

Aphrodisiacs tend to fall into a few different categories in terms of how they are supposed to work. For example:

Uses for Aphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiacs typically fall into one of three different categories. Such substances are often purported toincrease libido, potency, or pleasure.

The big question is — do aphrodisiacs actually work? Some evidence supports the possible effects of some natural supplements such as horny goat weed, but it’s important to note that many of these findings come from animal studies.

Natural Supplements

There are a number of natural substances that are often included as ingredients in supplements that are marketed as aphrodisiacs.

Because ginseng can have interaction effects with some medications, including blood thinners, it should be used with caution.

Food Aphrodisiacs

The question is, can what you eat really improve your sex life?

While no research has demonstrated that certain foods can impact sexual desire or performance, this doesn’t mean that food can’t play a role in stimulating your sex life. Obviously, following a nutritious diet can play a role in helping you feel healthy and energetic overall — which can have an impact on sexual desire and behaviors. When you feel good, you may be more likely to also feel more interested in sex.

Certain foods may also have properties that can be beneficial to your sex life. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids, for example, can help improve blood flow throughout the body, including the genitals.

However, it is important to note that while low to moderate alcohol intake may lower inhibitions and increase desire, excessive alcohol use can also hinder sexual performance.

Other substances that are reputed to act as aphrodisiacs include:

While scientific evidence to show that these foods actually influence sexual desire is lacking, many are purported to work because of things such as potassium, zinc, and phytochemicals that can improve well-being.

Can an Apple a Day Improve Your Sex Life?Apples are one food that has some evidence supporting its influence on sexual health. One 2014 study found that women who consumed an apple a day had better sexual functioning compared to women who did not regularly eat apples.

Can an Apple a Day Improve Your Sex Life?

Apples are one food that has some evidence supporting its influence on sexual health. One 2014 study found that women who consumed an apple a day had better sexual functioning compared to women who did not regularly eat apples.

If you do want to try using an aphrodisiac to spice up your sex life, it is important to be realistic about the effects you might achieve. Remember that aphrodisiacs are not a magic remedy. While research suggests that some substances may have beneficial effects, factors such as overall health, diet, fitness, andstress levelsoften have a much greater impact on sexual health.

The Psychological Effects of Aphrodisiacs

Don’t overlook the sheer power of theplacebo effect. A placebo is an inactive or inert substance that nevertheless causes a therapeutic effect. It is the belief that something will have an effect that is more beneficial than the substance itself. In other words, if you believe something is going to have an effect, you might be more likely to experience a positive result.

Some people swear that certain foods, such as oysters or dark chocolate, improve their sex life. And that might be true, but it may simply be the result of believing that these foods have sex-boosting effects that make all the difference.

Others Ways to Improve Your Sex Life

If you want to improve your sex life, there are some things that you can do that can help:

Don’t forget that finding ways to boost your sex life can be fun! While you should always talk to your doctor if you are thinking about trying a substance or supplement to address a sexual problem, incorporating certain foods into your diet can be a safe (and delicious) way to have fun with aphrodisiacs.

If you are interested in trying an aphrodisiac, there are some potential pitfalls you should watch for and precautions you should take.

If you are experiencing problems with sexual functioning, including low libido or physical issues that make sex difficult or impossible, talk to your doctor. Such problems are often treatable, or they may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.

The introduction of the drug sildenafil (Viagra) help generate greater interest in the use of aphrodisiacs, but their use actually dates back thousands of years. Throughout human history, people have turned to foods and other natural substances to help increase desire and even fertility.Foods such as oysters, chocolate, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and thyme have all been believed at various points in human history to play a part in increasing arousal and performance.

The reason why aphrodisiacs have remained popular for thousands of years is that they promise to help people feel good and experience greater pleasure. While more research is needed to explore how foods and substances can impact sexual functioning, it is likely that aphrodisiacs will continue to appeal to people interested in improving their sex lives.

Expert-Vetted: Our Picks for the Best Online Sex Therapy Services of 2024

21 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brunetti P, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, Busardò FP, Carlier J.Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(10). doi:10.3390/ph13100309National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Yohimbe.Avasthi A, Grover S, Sathyanarayana Rao TS.Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction.Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S91-S115. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196977Janssens PLHR, Hursel R, Martens EAP, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Negative Energy Balance.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e67786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067786Worsley R, Bell RJ, Gartoulla P, Davis SR.Prevalence and Predictors of Low Sexual Desire, Sexually Related Personal Distress, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction in a Community-Based Sample of Midlife Women.J Sex Med. 2017;14(5):675-686. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.03.254Lim PHC.Asian herbals and aphrodisiacs used for managing ED.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(2):167-175. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.04Kotta S, Ansari SH, Ali J.Exploring Scientifically Proven Herbal Aphrodisiacs.Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(13):1-10. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112832Melnyk JP, Marcone MF.Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources—a review of current scientific literature.Food Research International. 2011;44(4):840-850. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.02.043Leung KW, Wong AS.Ginseng and male reproductive function.Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Asian Ginseng.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.West SG, Mcintyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, et al.Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.Br J Nutr. 2014;111(4):653-61. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002912West E, Krychman M.Natural aphrodisiacs-a review of selected sexual enhancers.Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62Mondaini N, Cai T, Gontero P, et al.Regular Moderate Intake of Red Wine Is Linked to a Better Women’s Sexual Health.J Sex Med. 2009;6(10):2772-2777. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01393.xPrabhakaran DK, Nisha A, Varghese PJ.Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(1):71-77. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_17Kashani L, Raisi F, Saroukhani S, et al.Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.Hum Psychopharmacol. 2013;28(1):54-60. doi:10.1002/hup.2282Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014;290(1):93-98. doi:10.1007/s00404-014-3168-xMollaioli D, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, et al.Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2020;18(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12958-019-0557-9Giugliano F, Maiorino MI, Di palo C, et al.Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes.J Sex Med. 2010;7(5):1883-90. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01714.xJiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Sandroni P.Aphrodisiacs past and present: A historical review.Clinical Autonomic Research. 2001;11(5):303-307. doi:10.1007/BF02332975

21 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brunetti P, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, Busardò FP, Carlier J.Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(10). doi:10.3390/ph13100309National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Yohimbe.Avasthi A, Grover S, Sathyanarayana Rao TS.Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction.Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S91-S115. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196977Janssens PLHR, Hursel R, Martens EAP, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Negative Energy Balance.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e67786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067786Worsley R, Bell RJ, Gartoulla P, Davis SR.Prevalence and Predictors of Low Sexual Desire, Sexually Related Personal Distress, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction in a Community-Based Sample of Midlife Women.J Sex Med. 2017;14(5):675-686. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.03.254Lim PHC.Asian herbals and aphrodisiacs used for managing ED.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(2):167-175. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.04Kotta S, Ansari SH, Ali J.Exploring Scientifically Proven Herbal Aphrodisiacs.Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(13):1-10. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112832Melnyk JP, Marcone MF.Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources—a review of current scientific literature.Food Research International. 2011;44(4):840-850. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.02.043Leung KW, Wong AS.Ginseng and male reproductive function.Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Asian Ginseng.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.West SG, Mcintyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, et al.Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.Br J Nutr. 2014;111(4):653-61. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002912West E, Krychman M.Natural aphrodisiacs-a review of selected sexual enhancers.Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62Mondaini N, Cai T, Gontero P, et al.Regular Moderate Intake of Red Wine Is Linked to a Better Women’s Sexual Health.J Sex Med. 2009;6(10):2772-2777. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01393.xPrabhakaran DK, Nisha A, Varghese PJ.Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(1):71-77. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_17Kashani L, Raisi F, Saroukhani S, et al.Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.Hum Psychopharmacol. 2013;28(1):54-60. doi:10.1002/hup.2282Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014;290(1):93-98. doi:10.1007/s00404-014-3168-xMollaioli D, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, et al.Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2020;18(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12958-019-0557-9Giugliano F, Maiorino MI, Di palo C, et al.Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes.J Sex Med. 2010;7(5):1883-90. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01714.xJiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Sandroni P.Aphrodisiacs past and present: A historical review.Clinical Autonomic Research. 2001;11(5):303-307. doi:10.1007/BF02332975

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Brunetti P, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, Busardò FP, Carlier J.Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(10). doi:10.3390/ph13100309National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Yohimbe.Avasthi A, Grover S, Sathyanarayana Rao TS.Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction.Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S91-S115. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196977Janssens PLHR, Hursel R, Martens EAP, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Negative Energy Balance.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e67786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067786Worsley R, Bell RJ, Gartoulla P, Davis SR.Prevalence and Predictors of Low Sexual Desire, Sexually Related Personal Distress, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction in a Community-Based Sample of Midlife Women.J Sex Med. 2017;14(5):675-686. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.03.254Lim PHC.Asian herbals and aphrodisiacs used for managing ED.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(2):167-175. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.04Kotta S, Ansari SH, Ali J.Exploring Scientifically Proven Herbal Aphrodisiacs.Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(13):1-10. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112832Melnyk JP, Marcone MF.Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources—a review of current scientific literature.Food Research International. 2011;44(4):840-850. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.02.043Leung KW, Wong AS.Ginseng and male reproductive function.Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Asian Ginseng.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.West SG, Mcintyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, et al.Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.Br J Nutr. 2014;111(4):653-61. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002912West E, Krychman M.Natural aphrodisiacs-a review of selected sexual enhancers.Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62Mondaini N, Cai T, Gontero P, et al.Regular Moderate Intake of Red Wine Is Linked to a Better Women’s Sexual Health.J Sex Med. 2009;6(10):2772-2777. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01393.xPrabhakaran DK, Nisha A, Varghese PJ.Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(1):71-77. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_17Kashani L, Raisi F, Saroukhani S, et al.Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.Hum Psychopharmacol. 2013;28(1):54-60. doi:10.1002/hup.2282Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014;290(1):93-98. doi:10.1007/s00404-014-3168-xMollaioli D, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, et al.Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2020;18(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12958-019-0557-9Giugliano F, Maiorino MI, Di palo C, et al.Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes.J Sex Med. 2010;7(5):1883-90. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01714.xJiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Sandroni P.Aphrodisiacs past and present: A historical review.Clinical Autonomic Research. 2001;11(5):303-307. doi:10.1007/BF02332975

Brunetti P, Lo Faro AF, Tini A, Busardò FP, Carlier J.Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(10). doi:10.3390/ph13100309

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Yohimbe.

Avasthi A, Grover S, Sathyanarayana Rao TS.Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction.Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S91-S115. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196977

Janssens PLHR, Hursel R, Martens EAP, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Negative Energy Balance.PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e67786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067786

Worsley R, Bell RJ, Gartoulla P, Davis SR.Prevalence and Predictors of Low Sexual Desire, Sexually Related Personal Distress, and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction in a Community-Based Sample of Midlife Women.J Sex Med. 2017;14(5):675-686. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.03.254

Lim PHC.Asian herbals and aphrodisiacs used for managing ED.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(2):167-175. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.04

Kotta S, Ansari SH, Ali J.Exploring Scientifically Proven Herbal Aphrodisiacs.Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(13):1-10. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.112832

Melnyk JP, Marcone MF.Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources—a review of current scientific literature.Food Research International. 2011;44(4):840-850. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.02.043

Leung KW, Wong AS.Ginseng and male reproductive function.Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).Asian Ginseng.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

West SG, Mcintyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, et al.Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.Br J Nutr. 2014;111(4):653-61. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002912

West E, Krychman M.Natural aphrodisiacs-a review of selected sexual enhancers.Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62

Mondaini N, Cai T, Gontero P, et al.Regular Moderate Intake of Red Wine Is Linked to a Better Women’s Sexual Health.J Sex Med. 2009;6(10):2772-2777. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01393.x

Prabhakaran DK, Nisha A, Varghese PJ.Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(1):71-77. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_17

Kashani L, Raisi F, Saroukhani S, et al.Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.Hum Psychopharmacol. 2013;28(1):54-60. doi:10.1002/hup.2282

Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014;290(1):93-98. doi:10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x

Mollaioli D, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, et al.Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine.Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2020;18(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12958-019-0557-9

Giugliano F, Maiorino MI, Di palo C, et al.Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Sexual Function in Women with Type 2 Diabetes.J Sex Med. 2010;7(5):1883-90. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01714.x

Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17

Sandroni P.Aphrodisiacs past and present: A historical review.Clinical Autonomic Research. 2001;11(5):303-307. doi:10.1007/BF02332975

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?