Asian Aphrodisiacs: From Bangkok to Beijing - the Search for the Ultimate Turn-on

by Jerry Hopkins

"Tiger penis soup? Rhino horn on the oyster half shell? Give me a break!" So says bestselling author Jerry Hopkins as he meets the people, visits the places, and "road tests" dozens of Asia's most popular aphrodisiacs in the first definitive survey of the region's best and worst "turn-on's.

Expanding the usual definition to include lotions as well as potions, sex toys and aromatherapy, music and massage, exotic Asian belief systems, pornography and a variety of surgical procedures, he travels from his home in Bangkok to Tokyo, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Kathmandu in search of the region's most exciting pick-me-ups. Along the way, he discovers that Asia was first in the development and prescription of aphrodisiacs, first in pornography and sex toys, and first in breast and penis enhancement surgery.

In this exhaustively researched and often hilarious investigation of a subject that has held the world enthralled for thousands of years, the author discovers that Asia has been-and still is-in the lead when it comes to the promise of sexual enhancement. And surprisingly enough, he also finds several things that work!

Genres: Asia, Nonfiction, Sexuality

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jerry Hopkins was an American journalist and author best known for writing the first biographies of Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison of The Doors, as well as serving for 20 years as a correspondent and contributing editor of Rolling Stone magazine.

Reviews

[Desca Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Asian Aphrodisiac
Author: Jerry Hopkins
Publisher: Periplus

Taking several places such as Indonesia, China, Thailand and Malaysia, Jerry Hopkins tries to list the aphrodisiac used from the era of antiquity to present. What is surprising is that we may be familiar with some of the aphrodisiac which he refers as viagra such as mentions; the Chinese, Japanese or Korean ginseng and the Indonesian jamu along with their controversy.

"Viagra is not a hormone, an herbal supplement, or an aphrodisiac. Viagra is a prescription medication that can improve the erectile function of most men with erection problems. So with Viagra, a touch or a glance from your partner can once again lead to something more."

In other part, he says:

"Jamu was also being sold on the internet. One site I came across that offered jamu to "spice up your sex life," started its page with enticing gibberish: "jamu Indonesia sex herb viagra, tight vagina, premature ejaculatin, kuda better sex jamu aphrodisiac impotence beautiful impotie erektie gay lesbian bali sanrego."

The word may not make any senses. Yet one can see how powerful the language of advertisement in persuading those who want to gratify the sexual desire using aphrodisiac in the pleasure department.

There is nothing much I can say about this book as the book is entertaining. Jerry compiles "the information" about aphrodisiac especially ones used in Asia neatly. He also provides some picture about it, well, the picture about wounded bear after one cuts his paws was a little bit disturbing for me; yet it is very informative. As for my last remarks, I want to say that even though this book is not really my cup of tea, at least I am happy reading it for those aforementioned reasons.

Full review is available at https://literatureisliving.wordpress....

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

390 - 2020

[Khairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

People believe in all sorts of herbs and animal organs to strengthen sexuality.

[Zennyna Aristiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It introduced me to new knowledge, such as:

- The surprising fact that Viagra was initially developed as a failed cholesterol drug.

-This book also delves into the causes of impotence in men, highlighting how the reduction of nitric oxide with age can contribute to the issue. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in dilating capillaries, allowing blood to flow freely into the penile shaft and facilitating erections.

- Throughout history, the belief that consuming foods resembling male genitalia possesses aphrodisiac effects or enhances vitality has persisted.

- Drawing from the Kama Sutra, the book categorizes men into three groups based on their genital size: the rabbit, the bull, and the horse. Similarly, it identifies three types of women based on vulva depth: deer, cow, and elephant. The author references Vatsyayana to illustrate three equal unions: rabbit/deer, bull/cow, and horse/elephant.

- The book sheds light on the illegal consumption of rare animals or plants by humans to enhance virility, despite the absence of supporting study results.

It's worth noting that the book primarily focuses on aphrodisiacs considered significant by certain Asian cultures, offering limited research findings and visual aids.