My research on the subject of aphrodisiacs has led to a surprising finding. Apparently there are several aphrodisiacs that are quite easy to get in traditional markets that are spread in most parts of Indonesia. After finding out about their benefits I must say, I will never view these items in my daily shopping list in the same way again.
Raw Chili, Basil, Leunca, Takokak, and Tumeric
Those are very common ingredients use on Sundanese dishes such as sambal (chilli condiment), lalapan (an assortment of fresh vegetables to accompany rice) and pepes ikan or pepes ayam (steamed fish or chicken glazed in condiments of turmeric, basil, lemon grass, wrapped in banana leaves).
According to my reading, raw chili and ingredients like turmeric, leunca (Solanum Nigrum) and kemangi (basil) can stimulate your blood circulation, thus enhancing your libido and fertility.
Come to think of it, older people used to jokingly remind newly weds to regularly eat ulukutek leunca (leunca dish with sambal) to keep the harmony in marriage. I guess they know what they are talking about.
Takokak (solanum torvum), is a key ingredient in a traditional dish called Karedok Takokak that is said to function as traditional “Viagra”.
Karedok Takokak is green fresh takokak fruits mixed with the condiment of salt, palm sugar, oncom, cikut, chili padi and ginger. To properly prepare this so-called love booster dish, it is forbidden to include kemangi as it will reduce the power within takokak itself.
Fruits that count
Expert said that fruits are excellent aphrodisiac as well. Pomegranate, guava, and strawberry are fruits that you can depend on to boost the mood.
Strawberry, commonly grown in higher area of Bandung such as Lembang, is rich for its folic acid that is very good for increasing female fertility.
As for the red-meat fruits they are said to contain a substance called lycopene that functions as anti oxidant and will be beneficial in maintaining male fertility.
Never the less, the 3 polyphenols substances in pomegranate is higher compare to other fruits and it is said to be very beneficial for the fertility of both men and women.
Too bad, nowadays is easier to find pomegranate in a ready-to-drink bottle of commercial juice rather than in its original form.
The yolk of the duck egg and the head of the eels
These two are never on my grocery list. But a reading led me to find that drinking a mixture of an egg yolk of duck’s egg with palm sugar and lime will increase one’s libido.
The head of the eel, when grilled and crushed and mixed with other ingredients, is said to be able to enlarge the size of the male’s member. Perhaps, however, this assumption is purely derived from the visual.
Read also: 8 classic dishes not to be missed in Bandung