The Strangest Aphrodisiacs From Around the World

The yearning for sexual virility is strong in the human species, so nothing should really surprise us when it comes to strange aphrodisiacs.  There are some weird and grotesque aphrodisiacs substances around the world that you probably have never heard of, and are certainly not available at your local health food store.  Here are some of the more alarming ones.

Snake Blood

For men, pure snake blood has long been used to get the blood moving.  Some young lovers in China, Southeast Asia and the Philippines prove their virility by hunting cobra snakes and drinking their blood as an aphrodisiac (sometimes mixed with an alcoholic beverage).  This is an aphrodisiac worth dying for since hunting these cobras kills hundreds of people each year in the area.

Duck Eggs

You may have tried duck in the States, but chances are you’ve never thought of consuming a duck egg… along with a duck fetus, 20 days into gestation.  This aphrodisiac has been used in the Philippines and Southeast Asia where you can eat and drink the unthinkable.  First, drink the egg liquid, and then peel the egg away to eat the duck fetus, complete with feathers (if that doesn’t put you in the mood, what will?).  This may well be a test of a strong stomach more than anything else, but some people swear by it.

Beetle Juice

Spanish Fly as an aphrodisiac is a legend dating back many years, and it’s still believed to be true.  The secretions of the blister beetle are known to cause irritation and swelling.  The acidic substance inside the beetle is called cantharidin, and is so powerful that it’s used in animal stock breeding to induce mating behavior.  This aphrodisiac causes arousal, similar to the degree of Viagra, and can even lead to what is known as a priapism – an erection lasting 4 hours or longer. 

While buying and consuming cantharides is illegal due to the sometimes violent and unexpected health issues that can result, you can still find distilled Spanish Fly in parts of Europe.

Wolf and Tiger Meat

Other strange aphrodisiac items to mention include wolf meat, popular in Mongolia, and tiger penis (yes, you read that correctly), an alleged aphrodisiac partly blamed for the endangered tiger population.  This aphrodisiac is still served as soup or as a spiced meat in China, Taiwan and South Korea. 

Considering the alternatives out there, maybe taking Viagra as an aphrodisiac isn’t the worst you can do!