Aframomum melegueta

Aframomum melegueta is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is commonly known as Guinea pepper, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper and Guinea grains. Grains of paradise, a West African spice that gives a pungent, peppery flavor, is obtained from this plant. It is a herbaceous perennial plant native to swampy habitats along the West African coast.

Further pharmacological studies on aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta in rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 February. Umukoro S, Ashorobi BR. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
This present study investigates the effect of an aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta, on leukocytes migration and on phenylhydrazine-treated rat red blood cells (RBC). The effect of Aframomum melegueta on the number of white blood cells (WBC), in inflammatory exudates, was assessed by utilizing the granuloma air pouch model, for chronic inflammation in carrageenin-treated rats. The results suggest that Aframomum melegueta possess membrane-stabilizing activity, along with anti-oxidant property and may also have a modifying effect, on the responses of WBC to tissue injury.

Effects of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense on sexual behaviour of male rats.
Behav Pharmacol. 2002 May. Kamtchouing P, Mbongue GY, Dimo T, Watcho P, Jatsa HB, Sokeng SD. Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun.
The effects of aqueous extracts of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense on the sexual behaviour of male rats were studied, considering many criteria, such as penile erection, copulatory behaviour and orientation activities towards themselves (genital grooming) and female rats (ano-genital sniffing, mounting). For 8 days different groups of rats received a daily administration of distilled water (control) or a plant extract: Aframomum melegueta at 115 mg/kg or P. guineense at 122.5 mg/kg. Both plant extracts stimulated male sexual behaviour. In fact, Aframomum melegueta and P. guineense significantly increased penile erection index, and the frequencies of intromission and ejaculation. These plant extracts were found to enhance the orientation of males towards females by increasing mounting and ano-genital investigatory behaviour. Results of this study showed that Aframomum melegueta and P. guineense modified the sexual behaviour of male rats by increasing sexual arousal.

Aphrodisiac herbs available over the counter
These include maca, tongkat ali, butea superba, cnidium monnieris, tribulus terrestris extract, mucuna pruriens, horny goat weed, avena sativa, LJ100, muira puama, catuaba, ginger, and yohimbe bark extract.

Aphrodisiacs natural home