15 Science-Backed Aphrodisiacs That Actually Boost Desire

An aphrodisiac is any food or substance that ramps up sexual desire — in plain terms, something that gets you horny. The word traces back to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

People have spent centuries trying to pin down which foods and herbs actually enhance arousal. Some aphrodisiacs genuinely hold up under scientific scrutiny, while others considered aphrodisiacs lack hard proof but may still work simply because of how or where they're eaten — think chocolate-covered strawberries fed to each other in a candlelit room.

Aphrodisiacs remain popular today for boosting sex drive, and the foods that qualify tend to fall into three buckets: shape, texture, and heightened sensation. Cucumbers and figs land in the shape category, avocado and chocolate lean on texture, and chili peppers work through sensation. Let's walk through some of the best-known examples.

Here are 15 aphrodisiacs worth knowing about:

1. Safed Musli

Safed musli is an Indian herb traditionally used to boost vitality and sexual performance. Does it actually work? Science says yes. It produces a testosterone-like effect in male animals, lifting libido and arousal. And ladies — it may also help with premature ejaculation.

2. Maca Root

Maca, a radish relative grown in the Peruvian Andes, was tested on mice, and the results showed improved sexual function and desire — making it a genuine aphrodisiac, at least for mice. Men use it too, and WebMD notes it's possibly effective for that purpose. Source.

3. Saffron

Ever wonder why saffron costs so much? Turns out it's an aphrodisiac. Scientific testing found it increased the frequency of erections in male rats. It seems to help guys who already get erections without issue, though it doesn't appear to help with erectile dysfunction. Source. Check out our guide to erections for more.

4. Ginseng

Ginseng comes from the Chinese "renshen," literally "man root," and is thought to boost blood flow — essential for a man getting hard. Overdoing it, though, can backfire: too much ginseng can trigger irritability, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding in women, dizziness, and dry mouth. Anyone on heart medication should check with a doctor before trying it. Source.

5. Yohimbe

Yohimbe comes from the bark of African trees and has a long history as an aphrodisiac (it's also been used as a hallucinogen, worth knowing). More recently it's been used to treat impotence, earning it the nickname "herbal Viagra" in some circles.

6. Nutmeg

That unassuming spice you sprinkle into Grandma's pumpkin pie is actually an aphrodisiac, confirmed by science. Mice given nutmeg mated more often, and more effectively too.

7. Oysters

Oysters have long carried an aphrodisiac reputation, proven or not. Their shape resembles female genitalia, which certainly hasn't hurt the association — and they're also rich in zinc, which supports testosterone production, and tyrosine, which helps the body produce dopamine. Casanova himself swore by oysters, reportedly eating 50 a day.

8. Chili Peppers

Do chili peppers actually make you horny, or do they just mimic the physical symptoms of arousal — a racing pulse, some sweat, an endorphin rush? The truth is somewhere in between: chili peppers replicate what sexual arousal feels like in the body, which can trick your brain into genuine arousal. So even without real arousal, if your body thinks it's aroused, that's a win.

9. Asparagus

Asparagus lands on aphrodisiac lists purely because of its shape. People in the 1600s reportedly swooned at the sight of it. Cucumbers and bananas earn their spot the same way.

10. Figs

Figs are essentially the female counterpart to asparagus, earning their aphrodisiac status on looks alone. Slice one open, and the resemblance is unmistakable.

11. Chocolate

Chocolate makes the list largely because we've been conditioned, Pavlov-style, to associate it with romance. And since both are enjoyable, why not lean in? Chocolate is the go-to Valentine's Day gift, chocolate body paint sells in sex shops everywhere, and it drips with seductive appeal. It also lifts mood and eases stress. Stick to dark chocolate, though — milk chocolate is mostly sugar and dairy. Whether it's a true aphrodisiac remains debatable, but if it works for you, enjoy it.

12. Coffee

Caffeine genuinely puts women in the mood, according to research. So ladies, brew yourself a cup before he arrives.

13. Potatoes

Amazonian women once ate potatoes specifically for their aphrodisiac properties, and European women in the 1500s followed suit with sweet potato tarts. Potatoes raise serotonin levels, and serotonin is the hormone tied to that "in love" feeling. If you want to take the potato route seriously, look for Jersey Royals — they carry a musky scent reminiscent of a man's natural smell. They're mostly available in the UK, and only from April through June, but might be worth tracking down.

14. Artichokes

The ancient Greeks and Romans considered artichokes aphrodisiacs. Maybe it's the shared ritual of pulling off leaves one by one until you reach the center together, or maybe it's the antioxidants inside, which support energy and blood flow.

15. Avocados

The Aztecs found avocados plenty sexy, and it's easy to see why — a sensuous shape, a creamy texture that melts in your mouth, and high vitamin E content to keep your energy up. Guacamole, anyone?

A Word On Scent

Certain smell combinations work for some people and not others. Researchers at Chicago's Smell and Taste Research Foundation found notable differences in what arouses women versus men. Read more about men's turn-ons and how to leverage the progression of feelings. Their findings were based on tracking blood flow to both sexes' genitals. Source.

Ladies, you'll appreciate this: men were drawn to the combined scent of donuts and licorice. Women, meanwhile, responded to baby powder, along with Good & Plenty candy paired with cucumber — or banana nut bread scent paired with Good & Plenty if cucumber isn't handy.

Certain smells can also be a turnoff for women. Hand a woman a bowl of cherries and she might lose all erotic interest (probably from being over the cherry-stem-knot party trick). And let your guy know that grilled meat, at least scent-wise, tends to be a major turnoff for women.

Read about how scent can help turn you on, and how your own natural scent can turn your man on too. In fact, body odor may even be a turn-on for both of you!

A Broader Note On Aphrodisiacs

Aphrodisiacs can be a lot of fun to explore, even if they don't do much physiologically to raise your sex drive. Plenty of the foods here earn their spot mainly because they're healthy and energizing — which absolutely matters for a satisfying romp.

That said, some aphrodisiacs, especially herbal ones, can be risky if you're on medication. Always check with your doctor before trying any herb or supplement.

Think about it this way: if a miracle food or herb genuinely supercharged libido and sexual performance, you'd already know about it — and whoever discovered it would be a billionaire by now.

Plenty of scientific studies point to aphrodisiac effects in certain herbs and foods, but nearly all of that research has been done on mice and rats, whose sexuality bears little resemblance to ours. And really, who wants to picture rat sex anyway!

Still, you can't go wrong eating foods rich in antioxidants, potassium, zinc, and vitamins — especially paired with solid foreplay. Check out all our foreplay tips.

The most powerful aphrodisiac, though, is your own brain, which drives whether you're actually in the mood for sex. Share a sexy meal with your partner in a sexy setting, and you're well on your way to getting in the mood. Just don't overdo the eating right before sex — a heavy steak-and-potatoes dinner is more likely to leave you sluggish and stuffed than aroused.

Bringing aphrodisiacs into the mix is a fun way to spice up your sex life. Whether you stick to the scientifically backed options or lean into the sexier picks on this list, the right mindset will help the aphrodisiac effect kick in.

Another great way to boost desire overall: take care of your health. Feeling good and looking good naturally puts you more in the mood — arguably the best aphrodisiac there is.

January 23, 2021