Proliferation of Aphrodisiacs in Douala

It is an established fact that the fertility rate especially among men is dropping around the world due to radiation from electronic gadgets and poor feeding habits. This has created a fertile ground for herbalists who claim to have the miracle cure to all sexual problems ranging from low sperm count to impotency passing through erectile dysfunction premature ejaculation and venereal diseases. Their treatment is usually made from a concoction of herbs that the patient is given to drink over a period of time.

The danger being that no one knows the dosage of the concoction or its potential side ef fects. Prominent among herbalists who specialise in sexual problems in the city of Douala, is Jean-Marie Ngameni who owns a road side traditional pharmacy along the road leading to the Wouri Bridge from Rond Point Deido.

On display are liquids of all colours and viscosity in plastic bottles placed side by side with wooden carved objects depicting the male reproductive organ. He says he does good business though most of his patients opt for anonymity.

“Some park their vehicles far off and come here on foot and don’t like being seen by the public during consultation while others freely stop by and inquire about my products”, he said.

“There are cleansing lotions to clean the internal part of the body which is responsible for most sexual problems. There are others to boost potency or prolong the duration of coitus,” he added.

Others hawk aphrodisiacs around drinking spots and open air restau rants in the city of Douala. There is a new phenomenon in this domain. At first this activity was carried ou...