The use of aphrodisiacs dates back thousands of years. References to them can be found in Sumerian cuneiform texts, ancient Egyptian papyri, and inscriptions on ancient Chinese oracle bones. In Mesopotamia, mention of an effective "inebriating beverage" that was used as an aphrodisiacs appears in ritual contexts.

Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Pliny the Elder, all wrote herbal books which contained references to the aphrodisiac properties of certain herbs. In spite of the fact that many ancient sexual practices were curbed when Christianity came to Europe, many of these plants are still used for the same purposes.

Our lips are one of the most erogenous zones on the human body and a great source of erotic pleasure. Offering your partner food is an act of caring, and it plays a big part in courtship. Buying or cooking a meal for someone remains a traditional offering of love, intimacy, and romance, and one that often precedes sexual intimacy.