From Cupid’s arrow to Spanish fly, world cultures are infused with the lore–and the lure–of “magic bullets” that stimulate, increase, and prolong sexual ardor in ourselves and others. This book gives detailed information on effective aphrodisiacs from traditional medical and alternative technologies, explains the facts and explodes the myths about their positive and negative effects.
The Seduction Cookbook, Diane Brown

Go beyond winning the heart of your lover through his or her stomach, and heat up some erogenous zones as well! With over 80 recipes, The Seduction Cookbook delivers alluring menus and foods styled to fit your seduction method, whatever it might be. Would you like to test the powers of aphrodisiacs? Prepare a simple, yet inspiring, omelet for the morning after? Plan a tantalizing Valentine’s Day menu? Or serve a fireside late-night snack? The Seduction Cookbook offers tips and techniques for shooting Cupid’s delicious arrow straight to the heart of your lover’s sensual appetite.

The Arginine Solution , Robert Fried, Ph.D., James Thornton, and Woodson C. Merrell, M.D.

A well-known nutrient, the amino acid arginine helps your body create nitric oxide, a simple molecule recently found to be of astonishing importance to improved health. L-arginine is a natural alternative to Viagra that can boost potency for men and increase orgasmic response in women. It has been shown to have many other health benefits as well.

Male Sexual Vitality : How You Can Benefit from Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, and Other Natural Methods (Getting Well Naturally), Michael T. Murray
Performance anxiety, impotence, and other aspects of male sexuality are subjects of common concern that are rarely explored. They get a thorough airing here, with recommendations of specific nutrients for optimal sexual functioning, causes and treatment of low sperm count, and natural herbs for enhanced libido and performance.

Buy: Amazon

Some aphrodisiacs work because they feed your body what it needs to produce your own natural sexy chemicals. A number of the aphrodisiacs mentioned in our women’s and men’s sections fall into the category referred to as adaptogens. These substances work with your central nervous system (CNS) to deliver more energy and endurance when you need them. But unlike other CNS stimulants, such as caffeine or amphetamines, they don’t give you that extra boost and then follow it with a big letdown. They don’t deplete your body’s reserves; instead, they build them.

We point you to specific aphrodisiacs for both men and women. When possible we give you information about how and where, online, to get the aphrodisiacs mentioned. You’re invited to try them, but be cautious. It’s a good idea to consult your physician before consuming any of these items….

Aphrodisiacs are never an alternative to:

positive sexual attitude
doing your inner work to remove psychological barriers to sexual intimacy
sexual skill mastery

a healthy diet and lifestyle
But they can be lots of fun.They are also sometimes exactly what is needed when sexual dysfunction is caused by physiological/organic causes, e.g., peripheral vascular disease, hardening of the penile arteries, diabetes mellitus, prostate enlargement, high levels of pituitary gland hormone prolactin, low testosterone (hypogonadism) , and male andropause.

“The good news is that something will work consistently for just about anyone. A bit of patience, some trial and error, and a positive mental attitude will go a long way to enhance potency and sexual pleasure.”
Dr. Zoltan Rona, M.D., Reference Note #1

US Government FDA on Aphrodisiacs – “Looking for a Libido Lift? The Facts About Aphrodisiacs”
As you might expect the FDA does not believe there are any! “According to the Food and Drug Administration, the reputed sexual effects of so-called aphrodisiacs are based in folklore, not fact. In 1989, the agency declared that there is no scientific proof that any over-the-counter aphrodisiacs work to treat sexual dysfunction.”

Please note that nothing we say here is intended as medical advice. If you desire to experiement with any of the items mentioned consult your physician first.

In a succinct guide, author and researcher William Livingstone has packed information on proven, ancient herbal sexual aphrodisiacs. Obscure sources are uncovered as a result of over twenty years of avid health research. Ancient Chinese and Indian products are examined, with their historical plus suggested usage, products helpful for erectile dysfunction (E.D.), impotence, and low libido (sex drive.)

West Palm Beach, FL, July 25, 2008 –(PR.com)– A multitude of men are increasingly dissatisfied with their sex drive, with many suffering from erectile dysfunction (E.D.), low libido and impotence. Many factors contribute to this decline in male sexual potency, including overwork, stress, lack of sleep, and estrogens in the environment, among others.

Many men are turning to the natural alternatives to prescription drugs being touted on the Internet, tv infomercials, radio, or in print ads. Most, if not all these products are overpriced and many contain yohimbe, an herb known to raise blood pressure. These products may also be weak, and a waste of the consumer’s money. Though there are some that may work, they are usually for a quick term result, not for the long term building of a flagging libido.

In a unique new book entitled Hotter Sex: World’s Best Guide to Sexual Aphrodisiacs , author William Livingstone brings renewed hope for sexual satisfaction to the beleagured male mojo. In the succinct work, the author provides Chinese, Indian, South American, Southeast Asian and other products to the rescue, complete with up to date source information. As opposed to the usual fare of prescription drug alternatives, the guide provides the male consumer with products that are less likely to cause the unwanted side effects, and that also address the underlying causes with a long term building effect.

The author is well qualified and experienced to address health issues, being a Licensed Nutritionist, Herbalist and product formulator with a Pharmaceutical background. When creating the guide, Livingstone looked at the dearth of good quality products and rampant hype in the marketplace. The source book has information on the historical usage of the obscure, but highly effective products Livingstone gathered from over twenty years of avid research. This gives the consumer a good idea as to what they can expect from each product, and how to utilize them for best results.

It is a difficult task for the male consumer to filter out all the hyped, overpriced, possibly harmful, or ineffective products being marketed. Add to this fact many so called experts and others do not believe aphrodisiac products really work, let alone exist. Yet there is plenty of ample scientific evidence, other expert opinion, and consumer belief from first hand experience, to the contrary. Hotter Sex: World’s Best Guide to Sexual Aphrodisiacs brings the male consumer a long needed, unique new venue for renewed sexual satisfaction. It is available to the public at the i-proclaim bookstore online.

An entirely original floral arrangement which not only appeals to Emotional Bliss’ core clientele of women aged 40 to 60 years of age, but also composed of aphrodisiacs and spices which subtly and tastefully evoke the theme of female sexuality.

The “gourmet bouquet” features a variety of seasonal blooms as well as anthuriums, an exotic flower which has an unusual appearance: a huge glossy heart, surrounding a phallic-looking stamen. Bananas, baby corn, orange peppers and carrots are included as their shape is reminiscent of sexual organs and reputed to enhance sexual desire. Ginger roots are also used as they excite the senses.

The discreet and female-oriented nature of the aphrodisiac-themed arrangement reflects the Emotional Bliss company ethos. This is particularly important to those women who might find it embarrassing to talk about sex, are reluctant to discuss any problems with their libido or who might normally regard buying a vibrator as tacky and sleazy – and not for them.

Paul Telford, Managing Director of Emotional Bliss, explains “Survey feedback from our female customers, particularly those aged 40 to 60 years of age, consistently highlights the fact that the high quality of Emotional Bliss vibrators and our tastefully elegant packaging is what makes us different from other vibrator companies, many of which fall into the tacky, sleazy genre.”

Recent user feedback (June 2008) on the new range of Emotional Bliss ‘heat’ vibrators highlights the attractive packaging and high degree of quality of the vibrators to be important to female users:

“The packaging is very stylish and smart, and quite unlike any toy I’d previously seen. It looks expensive, and a quality item.” (‘Imager’; Womolia Heat)
”The packaging was very discreet and well designed. On opening, the contents looked well made” (‘Al4Helen’; Femblossom Heat)

Emotional Bliss has spent the past five years researching and developing the new range of ‘heat’ vibrators which are fully tailored to the needs of women aged 40+. Nerve endings gradually deteriorate naturally due to ageing and also because of smoking, stress and alcohol, which means that more vibration is required with age.

Julia Cole, the psychosexual therapist, designed the vibrators for Emotional Bliss; a range of shapes and textures that caress the natural contours of a woman’s body. Julia Cole says

“Emotional Bliss vibrators have been re-mastered for 2008. We’ve listened to our customers and increased the vibrations from 120 hertz to 150 hertz as women aged 40+ prefer more intense stimulation. We’ve also created innovatory warmth which mimics the heat generated by the labia and clitoris when a woman is highly aroused, increasing her sexual response. Our 5 years of research and development means we know what women want and we’ve listened to that and have taken the steps to deliver what they asked for.”

The new range of ‘heat’ vibrators, including the Womolia heat and Femblossom heat are available to buy at www.emotionalbliss.co.uk and also at Victoria Health and via the Relate website.

For more information, samples, images and interviews with Paul Telford and Julia Cole, please contact:

Lucie Follett at Maven Metrics
Email: emotionalbliss@mavenmetrics.com
Tel: 020 7376 4484

Notes to Editors:

- National Orgasm Day 2008 is on July 31st

- The new range of Emotional Bliss heat vibrators is available to buy at www.emotionalbliss.co.uk

- The Womolia heat is priced at £49.95; the Femblossom heat at £49.95.

- They are also available to buy online at Victoria Health and via the affiliated Relate website.

- Emotional Bliss vibrators are created to fit the areas of a woman that respond most to sexual arousal – the clitoris and vaginal lips. This makes them more effective and satisfying than traditional internal vibrators.

- Made with medical grade materials, incorporating an anti-bacterial agent that sets new standards against the conventional sex toy industry.

- Julia Cole is a MBACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) Accredited therapist specialising in couple and relationship therapy and psychosexual therapy with 23 years experience of counselling couples and individuals. She has worked for RELATE, both as a counsellor and national media officer and as a counsellor for the NHS and as a therapist for the London Haven (a centre for women with breast cancer).

- She has been a freelance writer and author, having written for most national newspapers and magazines. She has been ‘agony aunt’ for several national magazines. She is also the author of several books on relationships and sexuality.

- Arôme Créateur Floral is a SW London-based French floral designer which specialises in luxurious and stylish arrangements. Arôme’s distinctive style is a fusion of typical French sophistication with a touch of natural elegance.

- French owner Anne Breda-Verborg studied floral design at New York City’s Parsons School of Design and trained with elite florists Belle Fleur in Manhattan and Paula Pryke in London.

- The Arôme aphrodisiac arrangement, available to purchase, is priced from £65.00 + delivery.

Throughout the animal kingdom, it was well known (by 1979) that females emit sex attractants that cause males (of the same species) to approach. Animal pheromones were so well understood, by the late 70’s, that manufacturers were marketing them as pest controls; pheromones were used to lure and divert animals and bugs to traps to prevent crop and flower damage. I was fortunate to be one of the scientists working on the research that proved the existence of human pheromones for the first time.

The discovery of human sex pheromones appeared in front page stories internationally when my colleagues and I succeeded in peer-reviewed acceptance for publication in scientific journals in 1986. We provided the proof that women and men emitted pheromones into the atmosphere and we showed that extracted pheromones could be collected, frozen for over a year, thawed and then applied on the upper lip of recipients to mimic some of the pheromonal effects found in nature.
 
The End

The world’s aphrodisiacs—named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty—range from the mundane to the downright bizarre.

Spicy foods, like chilies, have long been thought to boost the libido by inducing physical conditions similar to those of sexual arousal, such as an increased heart rate.

Rarer objects, like rhinoceros horns, enjoy a powerful mystique—not to mention a phallic form.

Rhino horn, consumed primarily in Asia, does contain high levels of calcium and phosphorus. When consumed by people with very poor diets, those nutrients could possibly make diners feel healthier, more vigorous, and thus more interested in sex.

Judging the effectiveness of any aphrodisiac can be difficult. Human studies are sparse, and where sex is concerned, results can be unreliable.

“It’s important to know—when it comes to everything from food to pharmaceuticals that are used for sexual attraction and arousal—you always have to factor in a large placebo effect,” said Jennifer Bass, a spokesperson for the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University in Bloomington.

“The mind is so important to the body.” (Read a National Geographic article excerpt on love and the brain.)

Effectiveness Often in the Eye of the Beholder

Some foods or other substances may have physical benefits that could indirectly lead to increased sex drive without directly inducing such urges.

Foods that boost nutrition and overall health, for example, may help people feel better and more energetic—and thus more sexually aroused.

But most aphrodisiac consumers hunger for a more targeted approach.

If you have an email account, you’re likely familiar with an enormous variety of supposed aphrodisiacs.

The FDA tracks such offerings and often warns fraudulent business with threats of regulatory action. 

Not-So-Soft Drink?

WARNING: THIS BEVERAGE WILL AROUSE YOU, reads the label of a cherry-flavored “love drink” that may soon be hitting U.S. supermarket shelves.

The new pop, Turn On, is packed with the energy-drink staples ginseng and caffeine. But it’s being marketed as a booster for a kind of workout you won’t find at the gym.

Turn On’s makers tout their “potent variety of active herbs, amino acids, vitamins, carbonation and aromas” as “a unique premium adult drink.”

Not everyone is smitten. France and Denmark have already banned the drink, because it contains ingredients forbidden in those nations.

Perhaps the most legendary of all aphrodisiacs is Spanish fly, or cantharis, which is made from the remains of dried beetles known as Spanish flies (Cantharis vesicatoria).

Spanish fly named does create a rush of blood to the sexual organs, doctors say. But the aphrodisiac poisons and irritates the urogenital tract in the process.

Experts warn that misuse of Spanish fly can lead to serious medical problems.

Viagra in Your Fridge?

Aphrodisiac expert Amy Reiley holds a master of arts degree in gastronomy from the Cordon Bleu culinary schools and is the author of Fork Me, Spoon Me: The Sensual Cookbook.

Reiley says there are likely plenty of safe, effective aphrodisiacs already in your kitchen.

“I like to look at aphrodisiacs from both the folkloric and scientific perspectives,” she explained.

“I try to promote those that have a basis in science as well as in history—and there are a lot of them.”

Reiley likens culinary aphrodisiacs to vitamins—valuable pieces of a total nutritional puzzle rather than silver bullet cure-alls.

“People always ask me, What’s the food that’s going to act like Viagra?” she said, referring to the Pfizer pharmaceutical corporation’s anti-impotence pill.

“The truth is there isn’t one. Viagra was made by chemistry. But a lot of foods can promote sexual health by their nutritional value.”

“I also think there’s a little bit of the power of persuasion involved,” Reiley continued.

“If someone tries these but adamantly believes that they will have no value as aphrodisiacs, well, they’ll probably tell you that they had no effect.”

Reiley admits to a few favorites, beginning with the oyster.

“They are a very sensual food, and they have a wonderful history as an aphrodisiac that goes all the way back to Aphrodite [and ancient Greece],” she said.

Oyster lovers got good news from a scientific study last year. Research unveiled at the American Chemical Society’s March 2005 meeting suggested that oysters and other bivalves can raise the levels of sexual hormones in both men and women.

The shellfish also contain high quantities of zinc, which can stimulate and increase blood flow.

Oysters may be hot, but Reiley reports that much-heralded chocolate is not—at least as far as sexual arousal is concerned.

“Chocolate absolutely contains all of those things that people promote [for aphrodisiacs], like serotonin and phenyl ethylamine [PEA], which can give you a hormone rush that feels like the rush of intercourse,” she said.

Alas, there’s a rub.

“You’re more likely to go into a diabetic coma than get that rush because you’d have to eat so much chocolate to get the effect,” Reiley says.

Though chocoholics may scoff, Reiley reports that cheese could be a better alternative when it comes to jump-starting the libido.

“Cheese actually contains those same components but ten times more of them,” she said. “You could realistically get that hormone rush from cheese.”

Cheese also has some heavyweight historical proponents. The 18th-century Italian playboy Casanova is said to have sworn by the combination of red wine and stilton.

Reiley herself favors ginger. The fiery root has long been esteemed as an aphrodisiac in Asia but is little known as such in the West.

“It’s one of my favorites because its effects are pretty much immediate,” she said. “It makes the tongue tingle. It makes the lips swell and look just that much more kissable. It also helps raise your body temperature a little bit.”

From the garden she recommends mint. The versatile herb may have one of the most practical applications of all—it’s nature’s breath freshener.

Lovers aren’t likely to stop looking for that special something to give them an edge. Yet many experts stress that the brain remains the biggest sexual organ of all.

“The power of the mind is very strong when it comes to sexual interest, and sometimes just changing the way you think about something will work a [sexual] change, either consciously or subconsciously,” said the Kinsey Institute’s Bass.