An aphrodisiac can be defined as any substance that can arouse or enhance sexuality. This substance could be a food, drug, or any kind of animal or plant material. Many scientists and doctors would be quite surprised to find out that aphrodisiac plants do exist. There is such a thing as a love potion formula but it takes a few days to become most effective, rather than immediately.

Certain aphrodisiac herbs and products include Passion Rx, a product called LJ100 which is a tongkat ali extract, tribulus terrestris extract herb, yohimbe bark and maca. Some of these may be helpful for impotence.

How quickly do benefits appear?
Once the effects from the herbal enhancers begin within a few days, the benefits can last a day or two longer even when no further pills are taken. Some people only need to take these pills 2 or 3 days a week to maintain full arousal. Yohimbe herb is one of the few that works quickly within hours but high doses have side effects.

Plant Information
There are hundreds of plants with natural aphrodisiac properties. We will just mention a few. Most of the well known ones are found in a product called Passion Rx.

Love potion
What do people mean by the term aphrodisiac love potion? Is this a particular product or are there many products that are considered in this category? How can I make a home made version?
   An aphrodisiac love potion is any product that has sexual stimulating property. Many years ago there was a book called Love Potions which made the term more popular. You can make a home made formula by mixing any number of plant extracts in juice or a little bit of brandy or other form of alcohol. There are dozens to choose from including tongkat ali, mucuna pruriens, horny goat weed, catuaba, muira puama, etc. The easiest way is to buy the existing capsules rather than searching for the bark or root. With trial and error you can create your own potent potion.

Liquid versus capsule or tablet
Does an aphrodisiac drink work better than a capsule or tablet?
   Perhaps, but a capsule gets absorbed quite well and quickly, therefore we don't see the advantage of using a drink product. Plus, the drink would be much more expensive and not have as long a shelf life.

Side effects
Some of these natural plants and extracts can have a stimulating effect and increase heart rate. Therefore they should be used with caution in those who have heart disease or taking heart medications.

I have a seizure disorder, are aphrodisiac herbs safe to take?
    Hardly any aphrodisiac herbs have been studied for their influence on seizures, therefore it may be best not to use them unless specific research is published on their safety.

Influence on blood pressure
I am a MD and have purchased several supplements from Physician Formulas. I chose not to try any formulation with yohimbe as it has raised my blood pressure. My hypertension is well controlled (atacand 32 mg and vasotec 5 mg ), and by eliminating yohimbe I am able to tolerate aphrodisiac supplements including damiana, maca, muira pauma, and tribulus. I did consider Passion Rx without yohimbe , but there seem to be a number of other aphrodisiac ingredients with stimulant properties. I am considering trying catuaba, tongkat ali (only a few days per week) and arginine. Is this reasonable? Also, do DHT Blockers (commonly seen in hair regrowth regimens such as follicare) adversely effect sexual function and act as anti aphrodisiac?
   The influence of aphrodisiac herbs on blood pressure is dose dependent. Meaning, lower doses would not influence blood pressure much whereas higher amounts may raise blood pressure. Yohimbe is known to increase blood pressure and it is possible tongkat ali may also. DHT blockers such as finasteride and Avodart do have a negative influence on sexual urges and genital sensation. Generally, those who have high blood pressure or heart problems should be taking lower dosages and be more patient in getting the results from the aphrodisiac herbs.

A partial list of roots, herbs, leaves, barks, and other plant materials from around the world that have sexual improving benefits

Asparagus plant
Asparagus racemosus roots are popular for their aphrodisiac and immune enhancing properties.

Bois bandé
Bois bandé is the name commonly used in a large part of the Caribbean for the plant Roupala montana. The plant is not only found in Grenada and Trinidad, but also in Dominica, where it is known as gimauve or gommier tree. The bark of this plant is famous for its aphrodisiac properties. Locals soak a strip of the bark for a week in rum, then filter the rum and take a small glass of the extract. The extract is also known as macoucherie rum.

Burada plant
The bark of Parinari campestris (Chrysobalanaceae), in Guyana known as burada, is frequently used as a aphrodisiac in the same way as bois bandé.

Ching chun bao plant
Claims have been made that ching chun bao plant Increases mental capacity, counters fatigue, improves resistance to disease, promotes blood circulation, benefits heart and kidney, and is a natural sexual enhancer.

Chuchuhuasi plant
Chuchuhuasi or chuchuwasi is a common name for some members of the genus Maytenus (belonging to the Celastraceae family), found in Peru and Colombia. An infusion of the bark is used not only as a famed aphrodisiac but also as a muscle relaxant.

Cistanche is a Chinese herb that in high dosages can cause slight visual blurring.

Clavo huasca is an aphrodisiac plant found in the Amazon.

Cnidium monnieri is a Chinese herb found in many herbal male and female enhancement product.

Deer antler velvet sexual enhancement is used by Chinese doctors.

Shilajit is from Asia, an Ayurvedic substance, it is a rock exudate and may be helpful for sperm production

Palwen from Chile
Chileans are rediscovering the ancient herbal remedies of the Mapuche indigenous tribe, including a sexual energizer touted as a natural Viagra and other inexpensive alternative medicines. Chile's largest native ethnic group, the Mapuche, who live mainly in the Temuco area of southern Chile, have long used a wide variety of herbal remedies for everything from arthritis and acne to a lack of libido. One of the most popular aphrodisiac remedies is palwen, known as "Mapuche Viagra." The Mapuche, whose name means people of the earth, are famous for their fierce resistance to the Spanish conquest. Their modern-day population is relatively small, and indigenous culture is not as influential in Chile as in other Latin American countries.

Seahorse or seadragon
I was wondering if you are familiar with the herb Seahorse or seadragon and it use as an aphrodisiac? Do you possibly know what active component it is that gives it its benefit? Have there been any modern research on this. I ate Seahorse when I was in china en experienced a very stimulating effect as well as increase sexual interest.
    We are not familiar with seahorse or seadragon.

Some medical doctors, scientists, academics and researchers are clueless
This is a statement made in 2010 by Rany Shamloul, Queen's University-Pharmacology, Kingston, Ontario, Canada: "The current body of objective evidence does not support the use of any natural aphrodisiac as an effective treatment for male or female sexual dysfunctions. Potent men and men with ED will continue the search for natural aphrodisiacs despite the current disappointing data on their effectiveness. Care should be taken regarding the fraud addition of sildenafil analogues to herbal products." Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2010.