Are Aphrodisiacs Worth Trying? (2025)

Aphrodisiacs are substances that may increase libido and sex drive and may include food, drinks, or drugs. They may also improve your performance or increase your pleasure during sex.

While some substances can impact your body, research often fails to prove their effect on desire. Others can have harmful or even lethal results. It is also thought that the increased libido you feel from these items may be tied to the placebo effect rather than physiological changes.

Aphrodisiac Foods

Aphrodisiac foods vary by geographic location and culture. While many foods are touted as improving sexual desire and/or performance, many claims are not backed by science and may just help you feel better.

However, some research shows the following foods may help your sex life:

• Oysters: Oysters are rich in zinc, an essential mineral for men’s health, normal sperm function, and fertilization. Zinc deficiency is linked with sperm dysfunction, low testosterone levels, and male infertility. Raw oysters also contain D-aspartic acid and N-methyl, which are linked to higher sex hormone levels in animals.
• Watermelon: Animal studies have found evidence that watermelon has an aphrodisiac effect, but more human studies are needed. One study with male rats said the findings support using watermelon flesh to help with ED in men. This may be due to citrulline amino acid, which helps increase circulation in the sex organs.
• Maca root: Maca root is rich in vitamin C, zinc, copper, and calcium. In one study, an increase in sexual desire was reported by half of all participants who consumed 3 grams of maca root for 12 weeks. Improvements in mood, energy, and health-related quality of life, which can promote a healthier sex life, were also reported.
• Apples: Apples are rich in quercetin, a type of flavonoid. Research shows that quercetin can lower blood pressure, helping men avoid high blood pressure linked to erectile dysfunction. In one study, male participants with a higher fruit intake achieved a 14% reduction in erectile dysfunction, possibly due to their flavonoid content.
• Red wine: Research indicates that alcohol can increase sexual arousal in women. In one study, women who drank 1 to 2 glasses of red wine daily reported more sexual desire and better sexual function.
  

Aphrodisiac Herbs

The following herbs have been used as aphrodisiacs. Before using, check with your healthcare provider, as some herbs can interact with medications or cause serious side effects.

• Ashwagandha: The Indian herbal remedyashwagandhashows promise as a natural “female Viagra” (working like a drug prescribed to males for erectile dysfunction). This based on the positive effects reported from studies of sexual dysfunction in both women and men. It is believed to have medicinal benefits in treating several conditions and as an aphrodisiac.
• Cannabis: Research indicates that cannabis has sexually stimulating effects. This herb can increase sexual desire and intensify sexual experiences for both men and women. It may also indirectly enhance sexual function by increasing relaxation and sensory focus. However, too much of it may inhibit sexual function and satisfaction.
• Fenugreek: Fenugreek appears to contain compounds that your body can use to make the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. In a small study that included women with low sex drives, participants who took a daily 600-milligram dose of fenugreek extract showed a significant increase in sexual arousal and desire in women.
• Ginseng: Ginseng is the root of a plant that is used as a dietary supplement and in Chinese medicine. Ginseng is said to trigger the release of nitric oxide (NO), which promotes the dilation of blood vessels. This improves blood flow to the penis, improving an erection.
• Horny goat weed: Horny goat weed is a type of flowering plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. The results of animal studies indicate that this herb may have aphrodisiac properties by impacting hormone regulation and increasing blood flow to the penis.
  
• Chlorophytum borivliianum: Chlorophytum borivliianum can be useful for treating certain forms of sexual difficulties like premature ejaculation and oligospermia (low sperm count). Researchers attributed the observed effects to the testosterone-like effects of the extracts.
• Yohimbe: Yohimbe comes from the bark of a tree that grows in Africa. In the United States, its active ingredient, yohimbine, used to be available by prescription to treat sexual dysfunction. However, research is lacking, and yohimbe has been associated with heart attacks and seizures.
  

Aphrodisiac Supplements

The following natural substances are often used as aphrodisiac supplements:

• Arginine: L-arginine is an amino acid that causes the dilation of tiny blood vessels and increases blood flow. In a study of men with ED and no underlying diseases, daily high doses of L-arginine caused improvement in sexual function.
• L-carnitine: L-carnitine is an amino acid present in many foods, especially those of animal origins, like beef and chicken. Research shows that this substance may increase sperm maturation, sperm motility, and sperm production.
• Zinc: A study of 116 postmenopausal women with low zinc levels showed that zinc supplementation can improve testosterone levels and sexual function in postmenopausal women. Women who took zinc supplements reported improved sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction, vaginal moisture, orgasm, and less pain during intercourse vs. the control group.
  

Reasons People Use Aphrodisiacs

The reasons people use aphrodisiacs vary by individual. Generally, people hope to make sex more enjoyable by increasing their sexual potency and performance.

The motives people have for using aphrodisiacs typically include the following:

Increase libido: Low libido can cause a decreased desire and interest in sex. Your libido is affected by internal and external factors such as hormonal changes, aging, relationship problems, changes in physical conditions, medication side effects, and depression, among other issues.

Research suggests that sexual dysfunction (problems that prevent a person from enjoying sexual activity) affects 43% of women and 31% of men.

Extend potency and stamina: Potency and stamina can affect your ability to become and remain aroused during sex. Men may seek aphrodisiacs to counter issues such as erectile dysfunction (ED) (the inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection) and premature ejaculation (ejaculation during sex before satisfaction).

For women, problems with potency and stamina may be linked to issues such as vaginal dryness or pelvic pain.

Increase sexual pleasure: Even if libido and potency are not problems, people may seek to improve their sexual experience. Your brain and physical actions work together to lead to the orgasmic phase of sex.

People may seek to enhance sexual pleasure by trying aphrodisiacs that promise to act on these triggers.

Do They Work?

Generally, most “natural” aphrodisiacs don’t work. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no supposed over-the-counter (OTC) aphrodisiac is scientifically proven to be effective at meeting its claims.

While there is often no sound scientific proof for using these substances, there is some anecdotal and historical evidence that some plant-based substances may impact arousing desires and improving sexual performance.

Some natural aphrodisiacs contain components that may achieve the following:

• Support the production of sex hormones
• Improve blood flow
• Activate neural pathways that support sexuality

One of the biggest impacts of natural aphrodisiacs is their impact on your psychological state. While the benefits you achieve may be related to a placebo effect (an improvement in a subject’s condition that can’t be attributed to the treatment itself).

Anything that makes you feel more relaxed, calm, and confident about your sexuality will likely elevate your libido, performance, and experience.

Side Effects

While foods that are thought to be aphrodisiacs are generally safe, herbs and supplements may cause a range of possible side effects. In addition, the fact that they are not regulated increases the risk of aphrodisiacs being mislabeled, unstandardized, or produced with multiple ingredients whose effects may not be known.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Mania
• Seizures
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (drug-induced movement disorders)
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Cardiovascular effects such as hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Renal (kidney) problems
• Hepatotoxicity (damage to your liver caused by a medicine)

Other Natural Remedies

Additional natural ways to improve your libido and sexual satisfaction include the following strategies:

• Participate in regular exercise: Research indicates that regular exercise may lower the risk of erectile dysfunction in men and increase sexual arousal in women.
• Eat a healthy diet: Growing evidence supports the role of diet in sexual function. General dietary principles that emphasize a plant-forward diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can offer many benefits to mental and cardiometabolic health, which support all aspects of reproductive health.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can suppress sex hormones and lower your sex drive. Stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, mindfulness, and massage can help you de-stress before intimacy and improve your experience.

If natural remedies don't help, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you find the reason behind your lack of libido and may recommend treatment, including medications or therapy.

Summary

Aphrodisiacs are thought to increase sexual craving, performance, and pleasure. Certain foods and herbs have little to no proof based on science, while others may have some benefit. For instance, those that increase blood flow may help improve blood flow to the genitals, which can help people who have problems with circulation.

Consult your healthcare provider before using herbs or other new products. While these products may not have a big impact on your sex life, some can cause problems by mixing with prescribed drugs or other treatments.