14 'yucky' aphrodisiacs from around the world

Try these only if you are very desperate to improve your sex drive.

The word 'aphrodisiac' is after Aphrodite -- the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. There are a number of foods, some even from our daily consumption, that are regarded as popular aphrodisiacs.

Some of these include fruits like banana, pineapple and figs, vegetables like asparagus and carrots and spices and herbs like garlic, aniseed, asafoetida and basil and even almonds, oysters, coffee, wine  and chocolate. It is said that aphrodisiacs help to improve one's sex life by directly affecting the hormones which increase and improve the energy level and reduce the stress level.

That said, this feature is not for the faint hearted. It's, in fact, made me nauseous a couple of times too. But I had to share it with all those of you who are ready to 'die for love'.

Let's start with Greek mythology. Aphrodite, it is said, to have included sparrows in many of her aphrodisiac brews because sparrows are known for their amorous nature.

1. Penis of a Tiger

This is usually served in the form of a hot broth and Chinese medicine feels that in increases the male libido. In order to make the soup, the penis is first dried and then kept soaked in water for a week. I wonder what the animal rights group feel about it. But that is a different question and is best left for some other time.

2. Horn of a Rhinoceros

Another animal right issue might crop up and rightly so because rhinoceroses are almost on the brink of extinction now. But that does not make it any less of an aphrodisiac.

The horn is eaten not just because of its phallic shape but because it contains calcium and phosphorous both of which provide 'energy'.

3. Brain of a Monkey

This is primarily consumed by Indonesians as a powerful aphrodisiac and it has remained popular over the years.

Warning: (and no, I am not going to tell you that its 'yucky'. That's for you to decide). You might get the Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This is an illness similar to the Mad Cow disease.

4. Balls of the Bull

This soup, called the Soup 5 or the 'bat and ball' soup, is famous in the Philippines. If you really want some gross details then here it is.

The genitalia, after being washed is cut into pieces before adding it to the boiling water with vegetable pieces.

5. Urine of the Baboon

This is a Zimbabwean specialty and is guzzled down with beer. Thank god that at least the animal is not killed in this case unlike the ones mentioned above.

6. Venomous Snake's Blood

Drink it with your liquor and ice or 'on the rocks' -- either ways it will taste 'yucky'! Yet it remains a popular aphrodisiac in many of the Asian countries and the ones who drink it are neither cannibals nor vampires.

7. Spanish Fly

It might cause infections, scratching and even death. But if you still want to give this libido booster a try then go ahead.

It's actually the remains of a dried beetle and functions by causing irritation to the urogenital tract which in turn increases blood flow to the genitals.

8. Royal Jelly

Bees have the ability to produce up to 2,000 eggs a day. Royal jelly is an active ingredient found in the hives that consists of the diet for the queen bee.

Being full of nutrients its remained a popular aphrodisiac in the Asian markets. But if you are allergic to bees (and I don't know how you will find that out) then stay away else death is sure to strike.

9. Black Ant

Popular in Colombia and Paraguay, this black ant is believed to unleash passion within the human body. The scientific reason behind this is that these ants have energy producing nutrients within them.

However, don't let that rush you to begin cleaning all the corners of your home in the hope of discovering a few black ants!

These ants are special and exotic. Aphrodisiac, remember?

10. Fungus of a Caterpillar

This, also called 'dong chong xia cao', can cost more than $100 per gram and is made when the ghost moth caterpillar hibernates during winter by burrowing itself into the ground.

The fungus ultimately comes out of the head of the dead insect.

11. Ambergris

It is a perfume. Sounds alright? Well, here's more. It smells of faeces and is found floating on the water after being discharged from the digestive tracts of a sperm whale. Still sounds like worth a try?

12. Balut Egg

This is most popular in Philippines, Vietnam and a few other SE Asian countries. It is the foetus of a fertilized duck egg. So don't be surprised if you can feel the feathers in your mouth too when you eat it.

This almost developed duck embryo is usually boiled alive and eaten in the shell.

13. Bird's Nest Soup

People actually pay hundreds of dollars to eat this soup made from a nest created by a bird's solidified saliva. In order to make the soup, the nest is dissolved in water first and the colour of it can be white or red.

14. Durian

This is fruit. Thank god. At least it sounds more edible. But that's where it ends. The stench of this olive green coloured fruit, a native of Brunei and Malaysia, with a thorny surface, is too strong.

The smell has been described as being similar to that of a pair of sweaty gym socks, turpentine oil and even rotten onions. I wonder how one can get aroused by it.

Another 'arousal fruit' is the erotically shaped 'double coconut' fruit, the Coco de Mer which is grown only in Seychelles.

For now, I will end here. However, this is not the end. There are many more. Some even more gross than the ones that have made it to the list here like goat's brain, the Japanese Fugu, a toad's venom, placenta or the dried lizard. At least, thankfully these no longer are known to be used anymore:

• Till 900 A.D. the Chinese used the eyelid of a sheep as an aphrodisiac
• Till the 1400s the English people treated pigeon dung as a libido booster.
• Till the 1600s the French used toad faeces to 'set the mood'.
• Till the 1700s the Germans used menstrual blood as an aphrodisiac.
• Till the 1800s the English used lion testicles to increase the endorphin level.

Alright, I have had enough for now. So I'm out of here.

As for you, next time you are planning to create the right ambiance for your bedroom activities, the choice is yours whether you want to stick to dark chocolates, strawberry and caviar or try out some of these 'yucky aphrodisiacs'.