Can we really use rhinoceros horns as aphrodisiac?
The power of many aphrodisiacs relies upon a medieval philosophy known as the “Doctrine of Signatures.” People believed that God designated his purpose for things by their appearance; for example, if an herb was meant to treat the liver, then it would resemble a liver. For that reason, many of the aphrodisiacs on our list resemble genitalia. While the horns of several animals, including those of the unicorn, have been touted as aphrodisiacs over the centuries, perhaps the most famous aphrodisiacal horn is that of the rhinoceros. The rhino horn is an aphrodisiac used mainly in Asia that largely claims its powers from its resemblance to the phallus. Rhino horn, which is usually consumed in powder form, also contains certain nutrients, like calcium and phosphorous. With a diet deficient in either, it’s possible that a person could lack that “joie de vivre” that leads to joy in the bedroom. But be cautious; many are concerned that man’s lust for rhino horn is leading to the animal’s extinc
It is thought to be effective because the rhinoceros can have sex for 45 minutes, although such powder is considered extravagant and of course, hard-to-find, for fear that the animal could become extinct. There are, however, many other food that contain potentially aphrodisiacal substances. Celery, raspberries, ginseng, pistachios, truffles, asparagus, cinnamon, garlic (watch your breath!), chili and peppers supposedly contain properties that increase sexual desire. Sources: http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/article/30931/aphrodisiac-food-rhinoceros-origins-words-tips.
Rhino horn Rhino horn is primarily fibrous tissue with fairly large amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Since low levels of these minerals can lead to weakness and general fatigue, taking large doses of these elements could increase stamina if levels were low to begin with. It’s understandable, then, how it could have historically appeared to be an aphrodisiac (in addition to its resemblance to an erect penis). People who didn’t have deficiencies of those minerals wouldn’t have seen the same affect. Sources: http://health.howstuffworks.com/aphrodisiac4.
