Erken Dönem Mitolojisinde Afrodizyak Yiyeceklere Ait İnanışlar (Beliefs on Aphrodisiac Food in Early Ages Mythology)

Abstract

The word aphrodisiac, named after the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, is defined as any food or medicine that stimulates the sexual instinct and increases pleasure and performance. Aphrodisiacs, which are widely used in many cultures, have emerged in various cultures at various times for different purposes. 18 food and beverage items believed to be aphrodisiacs were detected in this study, that listed the most widely believed aphrodisiac foods in history. The beliefs, legends, myths, rituals and Jewish and Chrisitian texts belonging to these foods were investigated. As a result of the extensive literature review, it is revealed that relatively distinct aphrodisiac beliefs have been formed especially in orchid bulbs, nectar and ambrosia, apple, oyster, mushroom, fig, egg, mandrake and garlic. Another finding of this review study is that loading foods with aphrodisiac properties is the result of either their physical properties such as shape, smell, color or their drug-intoxicating and pleasing effects on the individiual.