aphrodisiacs
Passion-inducing substances
Aphrodisiacs are substances believed to arouse sexual desire or enhance sexual performance.
The category includes foods like oysters and chocolate, herbs like ginseng, and various drugs.
Scientific evidence for most aphrodisiacs is weak, but the belief in them persists across cultures: He lit candles and served champagne—the usual aphrodisiacs.
Elixir causing romantic desire
- philterCharm-inducing beverage
- mandrakeMagical nightshade with forked root
- ambrosiaGods' immortality-granting food
- VenusLove goddess, or planet
Eros · Cupid · enchantment · elixir · Spanish fly · ritual · fertility · seduction
Edible marine mollusks
- chocolateSweet from cacao seeds
- honeyBees' viscous nectar product
- figsSmall sweet tree fruit
- pomegranateMany-seeded red fruit
avocado · asparagus · strawberries · truffles · chili · garlic · almonds · bananas
Innate erotic drive
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- pheromonesSpecies-specific chemical messengers
- nitric oxideReactive nitrogen-oxygen compound
blood flow · arousal · placebo · clinical · hormones · endorphins · serotonin · vasodilation
Perennial with tonic root
- macaPeruvian cruciferous root vegetable
- yohimbeAfrican tree, medicinal bark
- ashwagandhaAyurvedic adaptogenic root
- damianaAromatic stimulant shrub
fenugreek · ginkgo · saw palmetto · cordyceps
love potion
Elixir causing romantic desire
- philterCharm-inducing beverage
- mandrakeMagical nightshade with forked root
- ambrosiaGods' immortality-granting food
Venus · Eros · Cupid · enchantment · elixir · Spanish fly · ritual · fertility · seduction · witchcraft
oysters
Edible marine mollusks
pomegranate · avocado · asparagus · strawberries · truffles · chili · garlic · almonds · bananas · watermelon
libido
Innate erotic drive
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- pheromonesSpecies-specific chemical messengers
nitric oxide · blood flow · arousal · placebo · clinical · hormones · endorphins · serotonin · vasodilation · stimulant
ginseng
Perennial with tonic root
- macaPeruvian cruciferous root vegetable
- yohimbeAfrican tree, medicinal bark
- ashwagandhaAyurvedic adaptogenic root
damiana · fenugreek · ginkgo · saw palmetto · cordyceps
perfume
Fragrant liquid for wearing
- muskAnimal-derived fragrance base
- jasmineAromatic climbing plant
- sandalwoodAromatic wood from tropical trees
ylang-ylang · rose · patchouli · amber · incense · scent · aroma · fragrance · massage · silk
- sexual wellnesslibido, intimacy, arousal, pleasure, orgasm
- eroticaerotic, erotic literature, eroticism, erotica, sensuality
- ancient sexualityfertility rites, fertility cults, sacred marriage, sex magic, erotic art
- sexual customssexual norms, sexual taboos, marriage customs, courtship, virginity
aphrodisiacssaltpeter
Potassium nitrate compound
bromides · SSRIs · antiandrogens · sedatives · cold showers