aphrodisiac
Passion-inducing substance
An aphrodisiac is a substance believed to arouse sexual desire—foods like oysters and chocolate, drugs, or herbs.
Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.
The adjective describes anything that stimulates desire: the aphrodisiac effect of power.
Most alleged aphrodisiacs lack scientific support, but the belief persists across cultures.
African tree, medicinal bark
- damianaAromatic stimulant shrub
- fenugreekAromatic legume seed spice
- ashwagandhaAyurvedic adaptogenic root
- ginkgoAncient Chinese deciduous tree
Spanish fly · rhinoceros horn · ambergris · civet · deer antler · sea cucumber · love potion · philter
Intense carnal appetite
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- passionIntense emotional drive
arousal · libido · appetite · urge · hunger · drive · eros · carnality
Innate erotic drive
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- blood flowMovement through vessels
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- circulationMovement through a system
nitric oxide · testosterone · estrogen · pheromones · endorphins · dopamine · oxytocin · hormones
Edible marine mollusks
- chocolateSweet from cacao seeds
- honeyBees' viscous nectar product
- figsSmall sweet tree fruit
- pomegranateMany-seeded red fruit
asparagus · avocado · strawberries · maca · ginseng · saffron · truffles · champagne
Seeking another's romantic favor
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
- amourRomantic liaison, often illicit
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
moonlight · intimacy · embrace · whisper · tenderness · seduction · tryst · boudoir
Enticing someone romantically
- enticementSomething that attracts
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- allurementQuality that attracts
- magnetismForce between poles
charm · captivation · enchantment · fascination · appeal · attractiveness · lure · bewitchment
Agent that slows reactions
- dampenerThing that reduces force
- depressantAgent that reduces activity
- blockerSomething that obstructs
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
counteragent · coolant · sedative · saltpeter · bromide
yohimbe
African tree, medicinal bark
- damianaAromatic stimulant shrub
- fenugreekAromatic legume seed spice
- ashwagandhaAyurvedic adaptogenic root
ginkgo · Spanish fly · rhinoceros horn · ambergris · civet · deer antler · sea cucumber · love potion · philter · elixir
lust
Intense carnal appetite
passion · arousal · libido · appetite · urge · hunger · drive · eros · carnality · concupiscence
libido
Innate erotic drive
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- blood flowMovement through vessels
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
circulation · nitric oxide · testosterone · estrogen · pheromones · endorphins · dopamine · oxytocin · hormones · potency
oysters
Edible marine mollusks
pomegranate · asparagus · avocado · strawberries · maca · ginseng · saffron · truffles · champagne · caviar
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
- amourRomantic liaison, often illicit
rendezvous · moonlight · intimacy · embrace · whisper · tenderness · seduction · tryst · boudoir · passion
seduction
Enticing someone romantically
- enticementSomething that attracts
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- allurementQuality that attracts
magnetism · charm · captivation · enchantment · fascination · appeal · attractiveness · lure · bewitchment · beguilement
inhibitor
Agent that slows reactions
- dampenerThing that reduces force
- depressantAgent that reduces activity
- blockerSomething that obstructs
suppression · counteragent · coolant · sedative · saltpeter · bromide
- seductionseduction, seductive, allure, beguilement, enticement
- sexual wellnesslibido, intimacy, arousal, pleasure, orgasm
- love spellslove spell, love potion, love charm, binding spell, philter
- Mythological WordsAchilles heel, Adonis, aegis, ambrosia, Apollo
- desireyearn, yearning, crave, craving, lust
- intimacykiss, hug, embrace, closeness, snuggling
aphrodisiacpassion killer
Thing that ends attraction
mood killer · saltpeter · bromide · turn-off · sedative
aphrodisiacsedative
Drug promoting calm
tranquilizer · depressant · soporific · anesthetic · numbing agent
aphrodisiacturn-off
Something that repulses
unsexy · nonerotic · repellent · off-putting · unalluring