Magic or Medicine (4 of 22)

But how does it work? Ginkgo may work by stimulating the brain to release nitric oxide in the erectile tissue of both men and women.
This causes the blood vessles to widen, more blood flows in and we have an erection.
But the jury is still out on how safe and effective Gingko is.
It can have side effects such as headaches and shouldn't be taken with aspirin or by people suffering from heart disease.
Hundreds of millions of dollars a year are spent in the pursuit of pleasure and the ingredients of love potions come from all parts of the world.
Each culture finds its own aphrodisiacs, depending on what is locally available.
Desert plants have been used as libido enhancers for centuries.

It is said that North American Indian girls once combined ginseng with snake meat, gelatin and wild columbine then secretly added it to the meals of the young men they wanted as husbands.
One plant that has been used as an aphrodisiac in the Southwest is Damiana, a shrub native to North America.
Chemical analysis shows that it contains substances similar to caffeine that can increase sensitivity in the genitals.
It is also reputed to induce erotic dreams when drunk at bedtime, but Damiana has not been approved by the FDA, so its effectiveness remains anecdotal.
In Asia, there are countless substances believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Many of these make their way across the globe.
One is a Chinese herb called Yin Ya Wo, otherwise known as Horny Goat Weed.