Forget modern medicines for now. The diverse and ancient cultures of Asia have grappled with the needs of romance for as long as they have existed, and have come up with plenty of traditional remedies, aids and supplements to increase vigor and verve. Even if you eco-conscious types remove the options that threaten the endangered species list like rhino horns, deer antlers, bird’s nest soup, and tiger genitalia, there are still plenty of alternative aphrodisiacs that can improve your love life.

Ginseng is one of the oldest forms of aphrodisiacs, and is still being used in China, Tibet, and Korea. Among its many medicinal properties is a mild stimulant, which helps to combat weakness in both men and women. Another herbal aid is ginkgo biloba. The extract from this plant has the ability to improve blood circulation throughout the body, including the arterial flow through the erectile tissue of men.

In nearby Thailand, a popular aphrodisiac is Yaa dong, a type of lao khao (rice whiskey) that is mixed with herbs and stored in glass bottles. Yaa dong used to have dead animals like scorpions floating in it before the practice was made illegal. Street stalls in Bangkok sell powdered versions of Yaa dong, which consumers mix with lao khao. The Viagra version of this alcoholic beverage tastes like toothpaste with a musty fragrance. It’s not an instant remedy, though; users must down several shots in a succession of days to create a cumulative effect. You can try finding Yaa dong in Khlong Toey Market, Chinatown, Soi Rangnam or Soi Cowboy.

From Japan comes fugu, a blowfish which possess a deadly toxin, yet enjoyed as a delicacy in the more expensive restaurants of Osaka and Tokyo. The feeling of numbness in the inner cheeks is a sign of residual poison in the meat of the fugu, which adds a thrill in eating them and heightens sensual responsiveness for the rest of the evening. To read more about Fugu, click on this article.

The Philippines has a list of aphrodisiacs which can fill up a menu. Soup Number 5 is one such dish, a serving of bull testicle and penis that is cleaned, boiled, sliced, and mixed with ginger and onions in steaming beef stock. Dog meat is another delicacy, whose ability to create a warm sensation in the body is associated with raising the passion of the flesh. The meat of the deadly cobra (ulupong), when removed of its venom and cooked adobo-style, is supposed to aid in love-making, as is the drinking of its blood. If all this killing of endangered species and beloved pets is turning you off, there are the leaves of the malunggay plant, when sipped in tea form can lower cholesterol, fight aging, and eliminate toxins.

More than a few Bollywood films feature a newly wedded wife who serves a glass of milk with crushed almonds and pepper to her husband. This is a wink to the audience who know the concoction is a popular aphrodisiac in India. This largely vegetarian country derives most of its love stimulants from herbal mixes, a boon to health nuts. The seeds of Bishop’s Weed, for example, are crushed and mixed with clarified butter, olive oil, and crushed tamarind seeds, and can increase virility when taken with honey before sleeping. Ashwaganda, Indian aloe, and cardamom can also help, given the proper preparation and mixing with other ingredients. Bordering on dangerous grounds are the seeds of jequirity, or Indian liquorice. Useful in small quantities, the consumption of more than four seeds at a time can lead to death. And if the thought of death by hyper-arousal leaves you weak at the knees, why not try a safe blend of honey with a little ginger and pepper?

A lot of these aphrodisiacs gained their reputation from their similarity in shape with genitalia, or the perceived sexual virtues of the original creature. Others are just labeled as such to encourage people in eating them (because normal people wouldn’t even think of consuming toxic substances or reproductive organs from another species unless they are really desperate. But the herbal remedies introduce so much healthy elements in the body it’s almost a stroke of modern marketing genius to label them as an aid to potency. And besides, the exotic locales where these various aphrodisiacs are found are more than enough to inflame the senses of couples who want to romance the nights ahead.

Posted in China, Food, India, Philippines, Thailand

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