Aphrodisiacs have been around since the beginning of time. Magicians, wise men and witches have known of and used the powers of aphrodisiacs for thousands of years. All of the Ancient cultures also incorporated aphrodisiacs use into their daily lives.

In many countries, like China and India, the culture openly uses aphrodisiacs and have common knowledge of their benefits. There is no taboo attached to the use and actually, the use of such aids is widely accepted as normal. Other cultures, like the ancient Mayans, Romans and Aztecs used aphrodisiacs for rites, rituals and increased pleasure with added knowledge of psychedelic qualities found in some aphrodisiacs. The Druids also accompanied their rites with potions made with aphrodisiacs. Basically, almost every culture throughout the ages from Etruscans to American Native Indians have used the ancient knowledge of herbal, plant, animal and other magical concoctions to better their life experiences.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional Polynesian herb from the root of the kava tree (called waka). Herbalists use it for its mild tranquilizing effect to relax the mind and bring clarity to thoughts while soothing the temperament and inducing a mild euphoria. It is considered a natural aphrodisiac that has the effect of directly increasing sexual desire and prowess and even increasing the intensity of the sensations felt during orgasm. Kava is an approved phytomedicine in Europe used to treat anxiety and can be used in aphrodisiac formulas as a nervine to produce an effect similar to a mild herbal ecstasy.

Kava is an ancient western Pacific crop related to the black pepper – both having heart-shaped leaves and flowers similar to the flower spike of the anthurium. Kava also has a peppery taste, and has long been part of religious, political and cultural life throughout the Pacific region. The drink was the beverage of choice for the South Pacific royal families. It is believed to have originated in Melanesia, and grows abundantly in the sunny Polynesian islands. Drank for hundreds of years by native islanders, it was only during Captain Cook’s voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771 that the white man first encountered the plant and its consumption in sacred ceremonies. According to his account, natives would chew or pound the root and mix it with water to produce a brownish, often bitter brew which they then consumed for its psychoactive properties.

In the Western world, kava is used as an herbal remedy to ease symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. The effects of drinking kava include slight tongue and lip numbing due to the contraction of blood vessels in these areas, milk talkative and euphoric behavior, calming, a sense of well-being, clear thinking and relaxed muscles. Sleep is restful and there are no after-effects the next day.

Kava has also interestingly been employed by the military in Fiji to aid in vigilance and anxiety reduction, to provide concentration and focus, to provide muscle control before sports and music performances, to reduce anxiety associated with public speaking and other public performances, and in corporate meetings to aid in mental clarity, sociability and improved decision making.

Contrary to coffee, alcohol, and many pharmaceuticals, Kava is known to be non-addictive, and to have no tolerance buildup. Medical literature sometimes claims it has a "potential for addiction" because "it produces mild euphoria and relaxation". In a traditional setting, a moderately potent kava drink causes effects within 20–30 minutes that last for about two and a half hours, but can be felt for up to eight hours. Because of this, it is recommended to space out servings about fifteen minutes apart. Some report longer term effects up to two days after ingestion, including a feeling of mental clarity, patience, and an ease of acceptance. The effects of kava are most often compared to alcohol, or a large dose of diazepam.

The sensations, in order of appearance, are slight tongue and lip numbing (the lips and skin surrounding may appear unusually pale); mildly talkative and sociable behavior; clear thinking; calmness; relaxed muscles; and a sense of well-being. As with other drugs that affect the GABA receptors, there can also be paradoxical dysphoria. The numbing of the mouth is caused by the two kavalactones kavain and dihydrokavain which cause the contraction of the blood vessels in these areas acting as a local topical anesthetic. These anesthetics can also make one's stomach feel numb. Sometimes this feeling has been mistaken for nausea. Some report that caffeine, consumed moderately in conjunction with kava can significantly increase mental alertness.

The effects of a kava drink vary widely with the particular selection of kava plant(s) and amount. A potent drink results in a faster onset with a lack of stimulation; the user's eyes become sensitive to light; they soon become somnolent and then have deep, dreamless sleep within 30 minutes. Sleep is often restful and there are pronounced periods of sleepiness correlating to the amount and potency of kava consumed. Unlike with alcohol-induced sleep, after wakening the drinker does not experience any mental or physical after effects. However, this sleep has been reported as extremely restful and the user often wakes up more stimulated than he or she normally would (though excessive consumption of exceptionally potent brew has been known to cause pronounced sleepiness into the next day). Although heavy doses can cause deep dreamless sleep, it is reported that many people experience lighter sleep and rather vivid dreams after drinking moderate amounts of kava.

For a good reason, Kava Kava is known as the “anti-shyness” herb. One of the many amazing benefits of kava, is that it can be so relaxing without drowsiness, putting one in a more open and comfortable state, quite conducive to both initiating conversation with a potential partner or with a long time lover. It also can increase a sense of euphoria, without losing any of your wits or your faculties as alcohol so often can.

Kava can have a direct stimulating effect on the sexual organs if consumed in somewhat larger quantities. Some users attest that they experience a tingling feeling in the genitalia, when taking Kava.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, kava

Schizandra Sinensis is a woody vine with clusters of red berries that is found in northern and northeastern China and adjacent regions in Russia and Korea. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions and is widely known as a longevity herb and aphrodisiac. It is used to treat lung and liver disorders, coughs, to relieve fatigue, depression and stress, increase stamina and for insomnia and night sweats.

The Chinese (pinyin) name Wu Wei Zi means "five flavor berries". It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Schizandra berries are highly esteemed and the plant is one of the "50 fundamental herbs. Some of the many ways they are used are as a hepatoprotectant and liver detoxifier, to resist infections, as an adaptogen and as a general tonic. There is some scientific evidence to show that schizandra berries may help people with hepatitis.

Schizandra began to appear in Western literature around the beginning of the 19th century, and it shows up in botanical works of the period. The earliest mention of it can be found in the 1803 Flora boreali-americana of Andreas Michaux.

None of these early works mention any aphrodisiac quality of Schizandra. However, at the turn of the 20th century, things begin to change: in the 1904 China: Catalogue of the Collection of Chinese Exhibits at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Schizandra berries are described as follows:

"Exhibit 128 - Fruit of Schizandra Chinensis. The small red berries are wrinkled, uniform in shape and contain two reddish-yellow crescent seeds. Tonic, aphrodisiac, pectoral and lenitive properties are ascribed to this plant."

This interesting discovery shows us fairly conclusively that the aphrodisiac qualities ascribed to Schizandra are not mere modern invention, and that it was clearly in use for such purpose in 1904.

Going further back, it would appear that this information has older roots (as one would expect from an herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine!) In the 1973 version of Chinese medicinal herbs: a modern edition of a classic sixteenth-century manual by Shizhen Li, Porter Smith and George Arthur Stuart; we find an entry for Schizandra chinensis. Sure enough, the exact same phrase is there, clearly borrowed: "Tonic, aphrodisiac, pectoral and lenitive properties are ascribed to this plant."

Another interesting statement is that the plant, which is said to have all of the "five flavors", is believed to contain the "quintessence of the five elements" (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). This is quite a testament to the esteem with which the plant was held. The Chinese Medicinal Herbs is a translation of the Bencao Gangmu of 1578 - also known as the Compenium of Materia Medica - written by Li Shizhen and considered the most complete text on Chinese Traditional Medicine ever written. Li Shizhen is said to have consulted 800 earlier reference works and devoted 30 years to field study.

Schizandra has been the subject of a relatively high number of scientific studies listed on Pubmed - with 364 entries. Many of these studies focus on a wide range of medical research - investigating whether Schizandra is for example anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, have anti-cancer properties, helpful with cases of tinnitus, or have effects on liver function. The sheer number of studies done on Schizandra is encouraging and something of an indicator of its medical potential. One study (1998) at the Department of Urology, Catholic University of Korea of a herbal formulation that included Schizandra chinensis showed enhancement in erectile function in male rats. The herbal formula also included Lycium chinense, Cornus officinalis, Rubus coreanus and Cuscuta chinensis.

Schizandra contains essential oils, acids and lignans which help regenerate liver tissue damaged by things like hepatitis and alcohol. Its adaptogenic action may help improve physical and mental performance, relieve fatigue and build strength. Studies have shown that schizandra is effective against the bacteria related to lung disorders. This herb provides more oxygen for the cells, increases the body's immune system and protects against stress. It also acts as an aphrodisiac, by increasing men's staying power and stimulating sensitivity in the female's genitals.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, schizandra