Dendrobium

Orchids have long been associated with sexuality. In old times they were called Ballock-wort [4], Ballocks stones [5] or other similar names due to the physical resemblance of the root to the human testicles. The name orchid itself comes from Orchis, the old Greek word for testicle. The "doctrine of signatures" - an ancient herbal lore that suggested that a herb healed the part of the human body that it resembled physically - is one likely origin of legends that orchids had aphrodisiac qualities. [5]

There are legends of the orchis, a magical plant known to the Greeks and Romans, the root of which was drank dissolved in goats milk and was said to confer incredible sexual powers to men. [5] The identity of this plant is unknown, as is the identity of satyrion, the aphrodisiac of the satyrs of mythology - although the orchid has been one of the principal plants suggested in both cases. [5] [6]

Is Dendrobium an Aphrodisiac?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the dried stems of any of around 20 species of Dendrobium are used to prepare Shi Hu - of which the most commonly used is Dendrobium nobile. One of the conditions for which Shi Hu is prescribed in TCM is impotence. However Dendrobium's reputation as aphrodisiac is not confined to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Dendrobium species have been used since old times in love potions in other cultures - notably Papua New Guinea, India, Korea, Ambon and Taiwan. [7]

Dendrobium species have been the subject of some scientific study - and a search of Pubmed revealed 240 papers referencing the plant. Many of these studies are analysis studies isolating various compounds from the plants - and unfortunately, none of the studies listed appears to investigate the plants' alleged aphrodisiac qualities.

Dendrobium nobile is known to contain Dendrobine, Nobilonine, Dendrine and Dendroxime [8] of which the alkaloid dendrobine, the best known, and has shown pharmacological activity. [7] However, recent study has shown that although several species of Dendrobium may be included in Shi Hu, there may be great variation in the amount of active ingredients found in different species. [9]

More study is clearly required before the legends and traditions can either be validated or discredited.

A note on Dendrobium conservation

Dendrobium nobile has been the subject of some environmental concern - it was reported by [10] to be endangered in the wild in India, likely due to overharvesting from its native region in the Himalayas. Dendrobium species are grown commercially in China. [8]

Dendrobium is listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce", p.210. [11]