Animal Aphrodisiacs

A number of the animal aphrodisiacs have a status based on the ancient idea that eating a part of an animal which has great virtues of one kind, will confer those virtues on the consumer. The rhino, for example, is a great and powerful creature with a large, always-erect horn - and so consuming rhino horn has come to be associated with extreme vitality and masculine power. It is still believed in many places that something of the 'spirit' or 'energy' of the animal can be absorbed by eating it - and despite stern declarations from the world of science that this is impossible, it persists. Many people are quite confident that all creatures possess a spirit or soul in addition to their physical form, and that these qualities can be absorbed like a form of electric charge - either by consuming part of the animal (typically for aphrodisiacs, the sexual parts), or by wearing a part of the animal as a charm or amulet.

This highlights one of the great difficulties with the world of aphrodisiacs, which is that sexual arousal is something that can be triggered by mental images or psychological processes, in addition to physical stimulation: Imagine a richly dressed, successful and mysterious trader, telling a person that an exotic love-potion is made from ultra-rare, expensive ingredients once only available to kings who, in their nineties, gave pleasure to an entire harem and fathered many sons; and that this potion will cause them to feel more highly aroused and potent than ever before. "But, whatever you do, do not take too much!" If they want to believe it, the focus of the attention on extreme arousal may indeed trigger this effect. Especially if their increased confidence causes their amorous attentions to be more delightfully received.

There is a bridge between the world of the mind and the world of the body. Imagine a certain scene and the rate of your heatbeat my change, pupils may dilate, breathing and even the chemical composition of sweat is altered. Walk proudly and tall, and people will wonder "What's he / she got?" It is important to attempt to isolate the chemical component of medicine - but in a world where beliefs have a distinct effect on the sense of well-being, the mechanism of the mind should not be ignored. We are not made only of chemicals, nor are we made only of thoughts.

All this musing aside - a very important factor should be considered: Many "animal aphrodisiacs" come from endangered species. The classic example is again that of rhino horn: Despite much scientific evidence stating unequivocally that rhino horn is ineffective as a cure for the many ailments it is touted for, illegal poaching and trade continues - and with the price of rhino horn astronomically high, rhinos are brutally killed and traded for the sake of profit - even to the extent that the survival of this magnificent species is in severe danger. [1]

List of Animal Aphrodisiacs

Here, for the sake of research, we present a database of "animal aphrodisiacs" past and present. More information coming soon.

Ant

Believe it or not, ant was included in aphrodisiacal preparations in old times. Arnold James Cooley's 1873 "Instructions and Cautions Respecting the Selection and Use of Perfumes" briefly describes "Eau de Magnanimite" - an aromatized tincture of ants. (aka. Acqua di Magnanimita - Italy) Taken internally, it was considered aphrodisiac in old times; externally, diluted with water, to increase the glow of the complexion. [2]

It turns out, however, that this practice has a far more ancient history and continues to this day! Ant tonics have been prized for thousands of years in China - they are still extremely popular in Asia and are considered medicinal. Ant is thought of as a liver and kidney tonic, antiaging, invigorating and strengthening sexual function. There is an entire ant supplement industry in China, and one of the principal species used is Polyrachis vicina. Ant tonics were mentioned in the ancient classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine the Bencao Gangmu of Li Shi Chen (1518-1593 AD). [3] [4]

Blowfish (Fugu)

See Dangerous Aphrodisiacs

Bone Soup

Bull Pizzle

Cantharides ("Spanish Fly")

See Dangerous Aphrodisiacs

Cobra

Eye of Crocodile

http://books.google.com/books?id=LkIGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA216

Hart

Hart's Tail (Powdered) - http://books.google.com/books?id=vkUVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA56
http://books.google.com/books?id=zkvU-B1awwAC&pg=PA151

Oyster

Praying Mantis Egg Case

http://www.healthstores.com/chineseherbs/herbal_ingredients/praying_mantis.htm

Rhino Horn

Skink

From The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, Volume 3 By Paulus (Aegineta.), Francis Adams (1847):

"...the parts about the kidneys are drunk to occasion erection of the privy member. The seed of lettuce, when drunk with water, is supposed to counteract them ; and likewise the decoction of lentils with honey. Comm. Commentary. The Skink is a small animal, like a lizard, ' * ' of the shape of a crocodile, and from ten to twelve inches in length. It was described by Ray and Gesner under the name of Crocodilus terrestris. Its Linnsean name is Scincus officinalis or algeriensis. Dioscorides calls it a land crocodile, and recommends it in the same complaints as our author. He concludes by saying of it that it is an ingredient in antidotes ; and, in fact, its principal use was in the composition of the famous Theriaca. Such of the Arabians as notice it give it the same medicinal character as the Greeks, that is to say, they represent it to be Coxu. strongly aphrodisiac. See in particular Avicenna (ii, 2, 596) ' " and Ebn Baithar (ii, 32.) The latter gives a lengthy and interesting account of it. Rhases briefly notices it without saying anything of its medicinal uses. (Contin. 1. ult. ii, 681.) In the East the skink is still eaten as a restorative and aphrodisiac. See Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 278.) "

http://books.google.com/books?id=K1UGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA341
http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Scincus&species=scincus
http://books.google.com/books?id=zkvU-B1awwAC&pg=PA124

Also other types of lizard - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uromastyx_hardwickii

Sea Cucumber

SeaHorse and SeaDragon

These two closely related species are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine yang tonics and have a reputation of being sexual tonics.

http://www.healthstores.com/chineseherbs/herbal_ingredients/sea_dragon.htm
http://www.healthstores.com/chineseherbs/herbal_ingredients/sea_horse.htm

Sea Tortoise (Turtle?)

http://books.google.com/books?id=zkvU-B1awwAC&pg=PA156

Shark fin soup

Soup Number 5

Stag Beetle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorcus_titanus

Turtle eggs

Deer Penis / Stag pizzle (Priapus Cervi)

Deer Penis has a long history of use in China as an aphrodisiac - however its consumption has not been limited to that region. The ancient Romans and Mayans were both known to use it, and Hippocrates (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) recommended it to help cure sexual problems. it is still served in Taiwan, Singapore and China and was used by Chinese Olympic athletes until being banned. Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_penis

Tiger penis

Tweet