By Esther Mbabie

As soon as they have forgone the inconvenience of no longer having it in sachets, for some individuals, the use of aphrodisiacs is a spontaneous encounter that leaves them intrigued and energised no matter the packing restrictions. Richard based in Ibadan, Oyo State is one such person being that his first experience with an aphrodisiac was urged on by the thirst to overcome pain and fatigue before lovemaking.

Ever since that moment in history, his trust in the sexual performance enhancer has grown to become the one sure-proof and the go-to when he needs to satisfy his sexual fantasies and desires. Fortunately, the ingenuity of aphrodisiacs goes both ways as some women have been finding out.

Many well-known locally brewed aphrodisiacs are made either for a man or a woman, but sometimes the brew could be unisex. Just a minor but intentional tweak ensures that and that is what has been the attraction for all types of audiences over the years. However, the general focus of aphrodisiac marketing is still men.

That is why in the Southwest of Nigeria, there are attention-grabbing names like Man Power, and Jekomo, meaning: ‘show her’. Wa fe ku la leyi is particularly popular for its literal connotation that suggests the passionate things a man will do to a woman when they meet. It is a name that is boastful of a man’s long-lasting sexual prowess.

Just like another one Kick and Start, all these names provide the initial adrenaline rush needed to attract potential customers and prompt them to have a drink.

On the surface

Mimi, who produces and then sells locally brewed aphrodisiacs under the manufacturer’s name Mimi Aphrodisiacs, stated that her motivation for entering the business was at first curiosity. Now, she is mainly driven by a desire to help women enjoy sex so much because it is good.

Some years ago, I had friends who couldn’t understand things like orgasm and the enjoyment of sex. While I tried to explain to them, they couldn’t relate.

This made her spend time on her own conducting online research, reading books and resources, identifying possible causes of painful sex and low libido, and searching for solutions.

The messaging found on any new bottle of locally brewed aphrodisiac usually relies on the cultural sentiments about their potency, being that they are indigenously made with the roots and herbs found around. These factors surely would encourage the willingness of a buyer and therefore freedom for the manufacturer to capture new demographics.

With the demand for aphrodisiacs firmly rooted, there is bound to be saturation in the market. When it is time to launch, the new brands invest heavily in advertising and offer tasting and testing opportunities. It is the sort of coming out that everyone enjoys in the city of Ibadan.

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Bus parks, workshops, building sites, and even certain school areas are common sales points for various sizes, shapes, and brands of aphrodisiacs. Anywhere one looks, a retailer is already colonising a spot expecting patronage to come soon. Male customers make up the regular patronage while the retailers are usually or mostly women.

Longevity or shelf life

On the rare occasion when a woman patronises the aphrodisiac shop, they come to find help for menstrual cramps and backaches. That covers the types of assistance that Mimi can give although the goal is to help achieve sexual pleasure in the best way possible.

Having a sexual performance enhancer close by apparently has its uses but despite this, some object.

Mimi thinks there is a common misconception about locally brewed aphrodisiacs being unhygienic or promoting promiscuity, but what she believes negates these opinions. She sees her aphrodisiacs as clean, enhancing sexual experiences, and fostering deeper connections between partners.

It is important to approach these products with an open mind and understand that they are meant to make sex enjoyable. However, they must be consumed not too long after they have been produced in minuscule containers.

Some aphrodisiacs get emptied off the shelves in a fast blink earlier than others, which is largely due to their effectiveness and not just the hype in their names.

Mimi in particular noted that people, no matter their gender, gained significant strength in their sexual activities after using aphrodisiacs. She expressed confidence in the products’ efficacy, citing returning customers as proof. Introducing locally brewed aphrodisiacs to her friends has assisted in finding relief from painful sex and now they enjoy orgasms.

It’s very cool, but I’m not sure if I should use it all the time, Richard admits the limitations that must surround use.

This is why the retailers double as physicians of some sort. Although the scientific verdict ought to come from a highly placed authority, the retailers when they are consulted often point out that the effects of the aphrodisiacs they sell vary among individuals, so results may differ.

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Fertility therapist, Aderemi Hellen Fiyin certainly knows why patronage from women, no matter the negative association that their aphrodisiac consumption sometimes gets, will always grow. One of the reasons is that it is useful for correcting the anomalies that inadvertently deter women from enjoying intimacy with their partners.

Sex is very important in a relationship and marriage. Many homes tend to break due to a lack of intimacy, which mostly comes from women, she says.

Some women tend to lose interest in sex after childbirth due to hormonal imbalance, body changes and other causes resulting in low libido or painful sex. Aphrodisiacs are very potent in solving all sexual problems and mending home. It enhances bonding and happiness between partners. All women need a taste of this happiness.

Esther Mbabie contributed this article from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.