The magical and ritual use of aphrodisiacs

by Richard Alan Miller

Aphrodisiacs, the "foods of love" that increase sexual desire and potency fall into two classifications: biochemical, which have a direct effect on sexual activity, and the more important group whose effects are psycho-physiological in nature. Richard Alan Miller provides comprehensive and detailed information on using both kinds of aphrodisiacs.

Emphasizing the powerful role of the mind on the biochemistry of sexuality, Miller shows how intention and motivation can be focused to greatly augment the physical effects of these substances.

To stimulate the imagination and enhance both the physical and psychological effects of aphrodisiacs, the author suggests specific contemporary rituals drawn from sources as diverse as Tantric yoga and Western magic.

In previous editions, this and the author's other titles have sold more than 50,000 copies.

Genres: Magic, Occult, Herbs, Witchcraft, Sexuality, Nonfiction

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Frank Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of me wants to give this two stars because there really is some interesting sounding scientific and experiential information about each aphrodisiac. But then, the author hares off with each aphrodisiac into dubiously connected (or oftentimes not even remotely connected) descriptions of a wide variety of spiritual and religious practices, mostly from (painfully labeled) "Oriental" cultures. Also, by the end it was almost amusing in a dark way how an enthusiastic description of flatly deadly poisonous plants would be followed by an afterthought of a caution as to their toxicity--maybe lead with that! Even with all my frustrations, though, which I'm not even expanding entirely upon, it's nice to finally find a book explicitly and specifically about aphrodisiacs. So, two stars.

[Dvine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an early -if you want- book on natural psychedelics.
Which is what made it interesting, not because of the aphrodisiac thing.