Ten Of The World's Most Dangerous Aphrodisiacs
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Is it just the subtle connection between sex and danger? Is it ignorance? Or is it deliberate fraud? Some of the purported aphrodisiacs that have been used throughout history have been highly toxic, including ingredients that could potentially even be fatal. Whether or not the items on this page are in actuality aphrodisiac, they are most definitely NOT recommended! This page takes a look at ten of the most dangerous aphrodisiacs of all time, and at some of the lunacy that has been resorted to in the quest for heightened arousal...
1. Strychnine
Believe it or not, strychnine sulfate, now a registered rodenticide (i.e. rat poison!) in the USA, was proposed in the Clinical Review of 1904 as an ingredient in a recipe for an aphrodisiac tonic! [3] Strychnine sulfate is listed in chemical databases as highly toxic; a violent poison - with the lowest published lethal dose reported as just 30 mg/kg - which equates to a little over 2 grams for a 70 kg human. [4] The recipe for the aphrodisiac listed in the Clinical Review of 1904 was: Strychniniae sulphatis 1 grain, phosphorus 1/2 grain, atropine sulphate 1/3 grain and resin of cannabis indica 2 grains. This was indicated to have been made into 100 pills, with a dose "one or two pills, three to six times daily as required. 1 Grain = 0.06479891 Grams, so at least we can ascertain that the prescribed dose was several orders of magnitude lower than the LD50. As to whether it worked - who wants to find out? The fact that strychnine is a rat poison ought to be sufficient deterrent.
However, it goes deeper: The plant Nux vomica is stated to have been eaten as an aphrodisiac in parts of India - and this plant's seeds contain significant quantities of strychnine. [5] Although strychnine is famed for producing some of the most violent effects of any poison, it also has had a long history of medicinal use - and so it is evident that 'dosage is everything'. Perhaps small doses of it might create some sort of aphrodisiac effect - but on account of its very great toxicity, it is not recommended.
Puffer Fish
White-spotted puffer (Arothron hispidus)
2. Blowfish
A famous alleged aphrodisiac is the Blowfish or puffer fish. The puffer is the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world, with the most toxic being the Golden Poison Frog. Blowfish is prepared only by specially trained and licensed chefs and the resulting dish is called fugu, a delicacy still found in some sushi restaurants. The lethally toxic organs and skin of the fish are removed. Fugu has been banned at various times in Japanese history - and eating Blowfish is nicknamed "playing Japanese Roulette". Over the years, many people have died from eating Blowfish. [1]
It is thought by some that small amounts of the toxin remaining after the blowfish is properly prepared may generate a "high" - but whether the alleged aphrodisiac quality of the blowfish comes from the mystique and danger surrounding it, or whether there is some actual aphrodisiac action, is not clear. In modern times, most of the deaths from blowfish consumption come from inexpert preparation by fishermen or untrained chefs. However it's said by aficionados that "eating blowfish testes in a glass of hot sake is the best aphrodisiac". [2] Are they nuts? Definitely.
3. Mercury and Roasted Cow Dung
Yes, you read that correctly - but you might want to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming. In addition to listing herbal aphrodisiac preparations, Hari Datt Sharma's 2005 text "Better Sex The Herbal Way" lists Ayurvedic Bhasmas. A Bhasma is a powder created by a specific calcination (a type of decomposition by heat) of various substances in a crucible together with cow dung! Bhasmas are prescribed as sexual tonics of various sorts and in addition to cow dung might include gold, diamond, pearl, mercury, silver, tin, egg shell or shilajit. [6] It seem surprising to Western minds that mercury, now widely agreed to be highly toxic and a substance to be avoided at all costs, should still be recommended in some medicinal preparations in the Orient, but there it is in black and white. Mercury and roasted cow-dung 'specially purified' and taken as an aphrodisiac? I'll pass, thanks.
At first glance, this topic might simply appear to be yet another case of the exotic being used to market an aphrodisiac. However, this particular rabbit-hole goes much deeper, burrowing down into the depths of the ancient practice of alchemy. There are some that still hold the view that mercury and other substances such as noble metals, properly prepared, take on 'alchemical' or even 'orbitally rearranged' forms which may give them superb or even supernatural nutritional qualities. These views are of course regarded as dangerous pseudoscience by the orthodox scientific community. But such views have been surprisingly persistent throughout the centuries. The mysteries of alchemy still attract some disciples and cause many to wonder whether there might be some great alchemical secret, known to a handful of ancient sages but lost to the modern world.
When viewed in this light, one is not too surprised to note the inclusion of gold on the list of Bhasma ingredients, nor to find that gold has been an ingredient in cordials since old times. Chaucer (14th century) sarcastially observed of the wealthy "Doctor of Physic" (i.e. a physician; a fictional character in his tale) "For gold in physic is a fine cordial, and therefore he loved gold more than anything." However the practice of consuming gold still continues - and some still believe that precious metals in the right form can have marvelous 'alchemical' effects in the body. Both colloidal gold and colloidal silver formulas can be seen currently marketed - gold as a broad-spectrum 'super nutrient' and silver as an antibacterial agent.
Shilajit is a form of pitch or mineral oil flowing out from certain rocks in the Himalayas in hot weather, actually taken as an Ayurvedic supplement owing to its being rich in ionic minerals. However this substance too has been hyped as having mysterious powers, and has also generated controversy over possible heavy metal content. [7]
4. Arsenic
Arsenic is a famed poison with a long and shadowy history: Over the centuries it has been used for many an assassination. However it turns out that arsenic trioxide was used as an aphrodisiac in the Punjab region of India. It was added to opium in order to enhance its aphrodisiac properties. Another Indian aphrodisiac contained arsenic, lead and herbs. This surprising practice still occurs in the modern day - and some Ayurvedic preparations from southern Asia have been found to contain not only arsenic but also mercury and lead. Controversy has arisen, with the Western world strongly convinced of the toxicity of such products, while some Ayurvedic practitioners still defend them. [8]
While one might imagine that such practices only occurred in the orient, belief in arsenic's potential as an aphrodisiac was not confined only to that region - and it is thought that Victorian society in England (19th century) employed arsenic as an aphrodisiac in addition to other medicinal uses. [9]
5. Datura
A genus of plants considered highly dangerous on account of potentially fatal toxicity and highly variable amount of toxins in the plants; various members of the the nine datura species have a long and widespread history of use in not only poisons and sorcerer's potions, but also aphrodisiacs. Datura has been used as an aphrodisiac by Chinese, Mexicans, Indians and the Gypsies of Europe; [10] however Datura's reputation was not confined to indigenous / traditional lore. Samuel Otway Lewis Potter's 1899 "Handbook of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, and Therapeutics" stated:
"The action of Stramonium [i.e. Datura stramonium] is similar to that of Belladonna in almost every particular, except that Stramonium is more powerful and chiefly influences the sympathetic nervous system, not affecting the motor or sensory nerves. It excites a greater degree of cardiac irregularity and a more furious delirium, and seems to have a special affinity for the generative apparatus, being decidedly aphrodisiac in full doses."
Datura plants contain tropane alkaloids including scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine (see below for more on atropine) and are now prohibited in some places. [11] In addition to toxic effects, Datura is famed for producing intense delirium in users - and accounts tell of consumption producing a form of 'total insanity' where the user was completely unable to distinguish fantasy from reality - sometimes experiencing a 'realistic' world that was in actuality completely illusory, while perhaps dashing around completely out of control in this one.
If this sounds like it might be a fun experiment, forget it - seriously. It has been said that in addition to numerous deaths (thousands) and hospitalizations, experimental Datura use has resulted in an overwhelmingly high proportion of terrible "nightmare experiences", more so than any other psychoactive, which may even leave the user permanently mentally damaged and struggling to function normally in the world.
6. Abrus precatorius (Indian Licorice)
The seeds of Abrus precatorius are reported to be considered an aphrodisiac in India. However, it is said that just five of these seeds would be a lethal dose. [12]
Abrus precatorius is also known variously as Jequirity, Gunja, Gunga, Crab's Eye, Rosary Pea, John Crow Bead, Precatory Bean, Indian Licorice, Akar Saga, Giddee Giddee or Jumbie Bead. The toxin it contains is abrin, said to be so spectacularly poinsonous that just three micrograms (three millionths of a gram!) could be fatal. The bright red and black seeds have also been used in jewelry making, however it has been reported that death has been caused by pricking the finger with a needle used to bore holes in the seeds. [13]
Abrus precatorius has been used in Siddha medicine since ancient times and it is said that they were boiled in milk and dried to denature the toxic abrin. It is stated by Dr. J. Ramachandran's "Herbs of Siddha Medicine" that the white variety of the seeds is used to prepare an aphrodisiac oil. [13] However it is not stated [ by [13] ] whether the white variety has equal toxicity to the red, black or green seed varieties, or whether these are prepared in such a manner as to reduce or eliminate the toxicity.
7. Cantharides or Spanish Fly
The famous Spanish Fly has been used as an aphrodisiac since at least as far back as Roman times. The Spanish Fly is actually neither Spanish nor a fly - it is a beetle, Lytta vesicatoria, also known as the blister beetle on account of its ability to raise blisters by touch. Cantharides, the toxic substance derived from the beetle, is highly irritant to the genito-urinary tract and hence can cause or prolong the erection in the male. However, Cantharides causes other severe effects and is highly dangerous. The effective dose is minute, and the toxic dose not much greater, leading to significant risk of poisoning. Cantharides can cause permanent damage to kidneys and genitals, fever, discharge of blood, priapism and even death. Cantharides is known to have been used as a poison by assassins in old times and is now illegal in most countries. [14]
8. Lead
Lead compounds have an ancient history of use as aphrodisiacs which, surprisingly, has persisted into modern times. Lead is highly toxic and has now been banned from many uses owing to the dangers of exposure to even small amounts. Aphrodisiac preparations including lead were used in old times by Chinese, Indian, Islamic and other civilisations. Again, this practice appears to have persisted in communities still using traditional medicine: Asians in the United Kingdom in recent times were reported to have a prevalence of renal disease, which was attributed to lead in an aphrodisiac called rustneg - however apart from the source, this term is nowhere found online.[15] Another source reports cases of lead poisoning from traditional Indian aphrodisiac preparations in the 20th century. [16]
Lead acetate, though toxic, has a sweet taste, and it is thought that this was a possible reason for its use as an aphrodisiac in ancient times. [17]
9. Atropine
Atropine, used in minute quantities in numerous medicinal preparations, is highly toxic. Its LD50 (the dose required to kill 50% of the members of a test group) is estimated to be 453 mg per person, and a dose sufficient to be incapacitating to a person would be just 10 to 20 mg. [18]
Atropine molecule
Atropine is found in several plants of the Solanaceae family, including Datura (see above), Deadly Nightshade and Mandrake - a plant used as an aphrodisiac in ancient times and listed as such by Theophrastus in the 4th century B.C. Despite the strong possibility of highly unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects from the atropine, mandrake's reputation as an aphrodisiac persisted for a long time.
Mandrake was advised as an ingredient in anaesthetic preparations by Dioscorides (1st century A.D.) and this use persisted until superseded by ether, chloroform and more modern anaesthetics; [18] however whether atropine has some actual aphrodisiac action or whether arousal is explainable by a loss of inhibition due to narcosis, is not ascertained.
10. Adulterated supplement products
An alarming trend has come to light in recent years; that of the adulteration of herbal aphrodisiac products with pro-erectile pharmaceuticals. In a number of cases, products sold as "aphrodisiac" herbal supplements have been found to contain pharms. One classic example from recent times was Magic Power Coffee - a product proclaimed as giving "increased arousal" and other delightful-sounding effects. The product was listed as containing goji berry, horny goat weed and ginseng but when tested by the FDA was also found to contain an unlisted pharmaceutical ingredient - hydroxythiohomosildenafil - which has potentially severe side effects. At the time of the article referenced, no adverse events had been associated with the product - however its mislabeling and advertising as a supplement makes it illegal and potentially very dangerous. [19]
Another herbal supplement product that has been found spiked with pharmaceuticals is Tongkat ali. [20] And there have been others - a 2010 scientific paper from Hungary reported several supposedly 'natural' aphodisiac products to contain pharmaceutical adulterations. [21]
As always, caveat emptor....
"Danger is an aphrodisiac." -- Tobsha Learner, "The Witch of Cologne"
"Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful." -- Niccolo Machiavelli, "The Prince"
Research Sources:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu
[2] http://www.chow.com/ingredients/488
[3] http://books.google.com/books?id=F45XAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA288
[4] http://www.cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/5187
[5] http://books.google.com/books?id=2HyC4-GJ50YC&pg=PA240
[6] http://books.google.com/books?id=4LIFG9MG8NcC&pg=PA19
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilajit
[8] http://books.google.com/books?id=yyaTdY4UGLMC&pg=PA5
[9] http://books.google.com/books?id=yyaTdY4UGLMC&pg=PA180
[10] http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/Datura.htm
[11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura
[12] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/via-agra-aphrodisiacs-from-india.html
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrus_precatorius
[14] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantharides
[15] Herbert L. Needleman, "Human Lead Exposure", 1992 - http://books.google.com/books?id=e9fel0gM3j0C&pg=PA15
[16] Brearley RL & Forsythe AM (1978) "Lead poisoning from aphrodisiacs: potential hazard in immigrants." - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1610030
[17] http://www.diethealthclub.com/sweeteners/artificial-sugar-substitutes/lead-acetate.html
[18] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropine
[19] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCall/aphrodisiac-coffee-viagra-ingredient-fda-warns/story?id=10982450
[20] http://tongkatali-ingredients.com/bogus33563.htm
[21] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20940118
Note - the information on this website is not medical advice, has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease. Please seek advice from a medical professional if you have symptoms, are concerned about your health, and before using supplements or aphrodisiac products. Also - just because an item is not listed on this page, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe!
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