Humans have looked for a "miracle sexual stimulant" for centuries hoping for a discovery that will cause both men and women alike to surpass the normal throes of ecstasy and become wild and wooly sensual creatures. Aside from man-made chemical concoctions, natural aphrodisiacs seem to be simply a popular folk tale.

It was when I was a youth in junior high school that I first learned about the infamous "Spanish Fly" and how even a tiny ingestion of this drug would cause a woman to mount the gear shift of a car or even a handy door knob in pursuit of satisfying the sexual craving that the drug caused. When my friends and I discussed this, our general reaction was "Eeew, gross," and we all developed an intense paranoia for leaving a drink unattended at a party.

Urban legends notwithstanding, there is a shred of truth to natural aphrodisiacs. But first, let's shatter some myths.

Spanish fly is actually not a fly at all: it is a beetle which folklore has raised to magical proportions. Supposedly, if one takes these dried beetles and pulverizes them, the resulting powder can be "added to a girl's drink" and will cause her to loose all of her modesty and "make love to anything that moves."

Ha ha.

Actually, the only result from swallowing Spanish fly might be an ugly bout with "the back-door trots" and possibly a painful death by poisoning. So I don't recommend a beetle hunt to any eager individual.

Probably the most natural sensual stimulant would be marijuana but -take heed- this is an illegal natural substance. Also, alcohol in small quantities will "loosen a person's morals" but drink too much and the result is -well, you may not actually remember what the result is...which would probably be a blessing.

Another legendary substance touted by the Greeks, satyrion, is rumored be from a species of orchid though the true nature of the drug remains lost to history. Its name taken from the Satyr of Greek mythology, the drug was from a plant that had reddish leaves and a double root. Dry and powder the root, add it to wine, and BINGO! It was supposed to drive one wild with passion. Its nectar reportedly worked wonders but, sadly, the origin of this alleged aphrodisiac is no longer known.

People are always on the search for a drug or toy that will enhance sexual stimulation. But I feel that a few well-placed kisses still provide the best erotic rush. One can risk man-made chemicals like Extasy, LSD, and a variety of other narcotics but a skilled lover always produces the best sensual stimulation.