Quince - Although inedible from the tree, the fruit of the quince can be made into delicious preserves and jellies. These have been regarded as an aphrodisiac for many centuries. In the language of flowers, quince blossom is the most unequivocal statement of love one lover can give to another: 'I will forsake all others and be faithful only unto you for the rest of my days'.

Radish - The women of the harem 'were not suffered a radish or cucumber to their diet except it first be sliced'. The phallic shape of many radishes may explain their reputation as aphrodisiacs: or it may have more to do with their hot tsate and the red colouring of some varieties. Radishes, which have been eaten by Man since prehistory, have a marked diuretic effect.

Rati's Way - A comfortable and adaptable position for protracted lovemaking. The woman sits on a chair or high cushions and her lover kneels between her legs. Both his hands are free to caress her.

Red - Much has been written about the colour red. Red is the colour of blood and fire, it is the colour of power and the universal colour of magic. It is also the colour of sex. Our skin reddens when we are excited; our lips, nipples and sex organs, which are red already, intensify in colour with erotic stimulation. With all these complicated associations - The Scarlet Women; Red Light Districts - it is not surprising that a large number of supposedly aphrodisiac foods are red. The colour itself, which our brains are programmed to notice, is stimulating. The advertising industry uses red for the same reason, because we notice it. And of course it is the aphrodisiac colour: 'See that girl with the red dress on...'

Reversed Position - In the Chinese tradition this posture is known as 'Overlapping Fish Scales'. Pace and penetration are entirely within the control of the woman: it is a visually exciting position for her partner.

Reverse Lotus - Both partners make love in the Lotus Position. Adepts of Hatha Yoga find the posture comfortable and use it in their lovemaking.

Rhino Horn - The quack who hit upon the idea that the hardened hair which forms the phallic 'horn' could be sold to the gullible as an aphrodisiac has much to answer for: a great deal of blood and a tragically endangered species.

Rice - A symbol of fertility: the practice of throwing it at weddings imitates the ejaculation of male semen. The wild forms are more commonly included in aphrodisiac recipes.

Rising - A relatively comfortable and satisfactory sexual position if only the woman raises her legs - she can hold her ankles to maintain the posture, or press her legs against her partner. The Japanese 'rising position' (below) refers to the woman rising on her lover as she rides him.

Rocket - The young shoots of rocket are eaten in salads or chopped and sprinkled over other dishes. The Romans credited the plant with strong aphrodisiac qualities - Martial called it 'lustful rocket' - and it was traditionally sown around the shrines of the phallic god Priapus. (See also: Phallus)

Rose - No other flower has as many erotic associations as the rose: it is sacred to the love goddess in all the great mythological traditions. The colour of traditional roses, the evocative shape of the petals, and the intense perfume make it the archetypal female emblem. In the Persian myth all roses were white until the nightingale, unable to bear the pain of unrequited love for the rose, pressed a thorn deep into its heart. IMAGE OF ROSE The aphrodisiac power of the rose lies in its perfume (Rose Bulgar) and in magic. There is no more erotic gift for a woman than red roses. But never put red and white together: it is the symbol of separation, of the doomed love of Tristan and Isolde, of death. (See also: Perfume and Scent, Red, Sex magic)

Rose Bulgar - The finest and most precious of all the rose perfumes: Rose Maroc is heady, Turkish Rose is delicate, but Rose Bulgar unmistakably erotic. Cleopatra scented the sails of her famous barge with the essence of Damascene rose and it announced her arrival over the water long before she could be seen. The roses from which Rose Bulgar is made grow in the foothills of the Balkans. They are picked in the early morning when all the essential oil is concentrated within the flower: each kilogram of oil is the precious yield of more than five tons of blossom. Even if none of the other essential oils appeals to you and you would rather buy your perfume from one of the great perfume houses, do experiment with Rose Bulgar. One tiny and incredibly expensive phial will last a very long time and will transform your bath into something from the Arabian Nights (See also: Essential Oils, Perfume and Scent)

Rosemary - An aromatic herb with sad associations - 'rosemary for remembrance' - and some more cheerful applications in the kitchen. The Romans valued it as an aphrodisiac, particulary in hot, spicy dishes. (See also: Essential Oils)

Rustic - In this asana the man's legs are raised and his partner squats on her haunches. If he is properly supported on cushions, and she is sufficiently supple, this posture gives the woman an exceptional grip on her lover's penis.

Use the buttons below to browse from page to page:

This page was last updated: 2001-10-15 Background Music Controlpanel for Netscape users! © 1997-2001 by: The Baron's Webbery Ltd., Europe.