The OG Aphrodisiac
The Original Aphrodisiac: Why Oysters Have Been Linked to Love for Centuries
There’s something deeply sensual about eating an oyster.
The silky texture, the mineral-rich brine, the way it slips across your tongue — it’s no wonder these ocean gems have been whispered about for centuries as nature’s original aphrodisiac.
But have you ever wondered why oysters are associated with desire? Or where the word "aphrodisiac" even comes from?
Let’s go there....
A Goddess & a Shell
The term aphrodisiac comes from none other than Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. According to mythology, Aphrodite was born from the sea and rose to shore on a scallop shell. The ocean was her origin, her temple, and her mirror. Naturally, foods from the sea (especially oysters) became associated with her energy: raw, alive, deeply feminine.
In ancient Greece, oysters were considered sacred to Aphrodite. They were served at feasts and offered during fertility rites, believed to awaken sensual pleasure and nourish the creative force of life itself.
Even the shape of an oyster shell, soft, curved, and protective, is symbolic of the womb. The connection between oysters, sensuality, and fertility isn’t just poetic… it’s biochemical.
The Science Behind the Seduction
Oysters are loaded with nutrients that support the systems involved in libido and hormone production. Let’s break it down:
🔹 Zinc: Possibly the most famous reason oysters are considered an aphrodisiac. Zinc is crucial for testosterone production in both men and women. It also plays a key role in sperm formation, ovulation, and even skin health. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food! A single oyster can hold up to 10 times the daily value.
🔹 Vitamin B12 & Iron: These energy-supporting nutrients help maintain circulation and stamina, both of which matter when it comes to intimacy and vitality. B12 also supports neurotransmitter function, helping you feel mentally sharp and emotionally connected.
🔹 Amino Acids: Oysters contain amino acids like D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), which are believed to trigger increased production of sex hormones in the body.
🔹 Dopamine Boost: There’s even some evidence to suggest that oysters may help elevate dopamine: the "pleasure" neurotransmitter that fuels desire, motivation, and emotional bonding.
Not Just for Romance — But for Reconnection
To call oysters an aphrodisiac is to acknowledge more than just their impact on libido. It’s about the whole picture: vitality, energy, and nourishment. It’s about feeling good in your body and reawakening a sense of connection, to yourself, your partner, your pleasure, your power.
In a world that’s constantly depleting us of minerals, of rest, of sensuality; foods like oysters bring us back to life. They remind us that vitality is our birthright. That nourishment can be luxurious. That libido isn’t separate from health, it’s a reflection of it.
So maybe it’s no coincidence that when I started taking 8 capsules of wild oyster extract daily (hi, Oystervive 👋), my periods transformed, my PMS vanished, and my spark returned. It wasn’t just about hormones. it was about remembering that my body wants to feel alive.
Whether you’re looking to support fertility, hormone health, or just feel more connected to your body, there’s something sacred about turning to nature’s original aphrodisiac.
And Aphrodite would definitely approve.