Top 10 Aphrodisiacs—for Real?

Respect works better than Spanish Fly and African tree bark, LiveScience reports
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2008 8:20 AM CST
Top 10 Aphrodisiacs—for Real?
Chef Sung-Un Kim shucks oysters in the kitchen of the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, Pa., Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)   (Associated Press)

Most aphrodisiacs are pure bunk, but it's fun to read about tonics that have beguiled lovers for centuries—and look at a few that may actually work. LiveScience lists its top 10:

  1. Respect. Dr. Ruth talks about the feeling that sparks all meaningful relationships, and makes for good sex too.
  2. Exercise. A recent study links penile dysfunction to inactivity, while physical fitness boosts mind and body both.
  3. Psychoanalysis. Therapists can boost that libido by helping alleviate depression and other disorders.

  1. Viagra. Not a true aphrodisiac, because it needs sexual stimulation to work.
  2. Yohimbe, Tribulus, and Maca. These herbs are being studied, but watch out—Yohimbe, an African tree bark, can actually kill you.
  3. Oysters. They do contain zinc, which is needed for making sperm, but scientific data is mixed so far.
See what LiveScience thinks of chocolate, booze, and other alleged love tonics in the link below. (More aphrodisiacs stories.)

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