Welcome to my A to Z blogging challenge!!

An aphrodisiac is defined as a food, drink, or drug that stimulates sexual desire or a thing that causes excitement.

The most common aphrodisiacs are usually food. Throughout history, for thousands of years, people have used various sometimes normal and sometimes kinda crazy things to enhance sexual pleasure. Some items are considered aphrodisiacs just because of their very nature. Oysters for instance are said to look like the female vulva, therefore making them sexy, but oysters also boost testosterone. Chocolate, strawberries, champagne: These things are all individually kind of sexy. Put them together and you can’t help but enjoy! Chili pepper is another aphrodisiac. The pepper encourages blood flow, which in turn will allow extra blood flow to sex organs, making this a very powerful one.

However, there are lots of aphrodisiacs you may not see right away and thing of as one. Watermelon contains the phytonutrient citrulline, which causes blood vessels to relax and leads to more circulation. More circulation means more stimulation in less time. Salmon and walnuts are two others you may not know about. These two items will help keep your sex hormones (and I mean that literally, like oxytocin) in good working order! In Greek Mythology, you may recall the story of Persephone, who had to stay with Hades for four months because of the pomegranate seeds she ate in the Underworld. Pomegranates have been used as aphrodisiacs since these times. They contain loads of antioxidants, which strengthens blood vessels.

Banana, that wonderful phallic fruit, contains potassium which is great for muscle strength. This can lead to more intense orgasms. Asparagus and avocado, packed with Vitamin E, helps your body produce testosterone, estrogen, and progsterone. These help stimulate sexual responses like vaginal lubrication and clitoral swelling.

The effects of herbal supplements aren’t proven, mainly because they are not approved by the FDA, but that doesn’t stop anyone from trying them. Ginseng, originally called “man root” by the Chinese because of it’s shape, is a popular herb. Yohimbe has been used in Africa and India and is often called herbal Viagra. There have been some side effects linked to using Yohimbe so use with caution! Spanish Fly, perhaps easily the most well-known of these types of supplements, is made from the dried beetle dung. It acts directly on the genourinary system and there have been reports of urinary tract infections and other type side effects.

The efficacy of various aphrodisiacs is not necessarily proven or unproven. In fact they have even developed a cream using cannabis that is supposed to increase blood flow and lubrication (Can your vagina get stoned?) Bottom line, most of these, especially food and drink, are completely safe so why not give them a try! Don’t forget about foods that maybe aren’t considered aphrodisiacs but can still be great for some sexy time: Honey, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup to name a few.

For fun: some of the weirdest aphrodisiacs from around the world.

*Cobra -From Asia, the blood can be mixed into wine or the meat eaten.

*Blowfish- From Japan, this fish leaves a tingling on the lips after eating and it is said to increase sexual arousal. However, the tingling comes from the venom from this fish. If not prepared correctly, instant death!

*Bird’s Nest Soup- This Asian delicacy is exactly what it sounds. A soup made from a bird’s nest and an expensive dish. Those that have tried it swear by it!

*Balut-Also Asian, fertilized duck eggs are boiled and eaten.

*Rhinoceros Horn-Rare and illegal and used by African men who are suffering from impotency.

*Ambergris- A waxy substance that comes from the digestive tract of sperm whales. Found in Arabic texts as a bedroom booster.

*Baboon Urine- Mixed with beer, popular in Zimbabwe. I think I’m good.