Male Fertility and Aphrodisiac Potential of African Culinary Spices: Exploring the Evidence
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Abstract
Sexual arousal and fertility are subsets of Male reproductive health which play a significant role in the overall health of males. Food consumed is a source of nutrition crucial to overall health and well-being. This review explores the potential contribution of some African spices to sexual arousal and fertility in males. A search of scientific literature and referred Journals available in electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and SciFinder was undertaken. The keywords were aphrodisiac, male fertility and African spices. Spices discussed include Monodora myristica, Allium sativa, Xylopia aethiopica, Tetraplura teteraptera, Piper guinenesis, Zingiber officinale, Aframomum meleguata, and Rhaphiostylis beninensis. Data obtained revealed that the aforementioned African spices are used in ethnomedicine as aphrodisiacs or male fertility enhancers. Some of them possess both properties. Available scientific evidence supported the use of these spices in ethnomedicine. Chemical compounds belonging to different classes of secondary plant metabolites were documented as possibly responsible for the observed activities. This review serves as a useful compilation of information on African spices as potential agents of sexual arousal and fertility in males.
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