My favorite thing about the Shunga line is that all their products are packaged so beautifully, and Secret Garden|Shunga secret garden is no exception. It comes in an attractively decorated box with a separate instruction sheet and mini-catalog of all the Shunga product line. The packaging is so attractive and discreet, in fact, that I have no problem leaving the bottle sitting on my night stand or even the bathroom counter. Unless you actually pick it up and read it, the bottle looks very much like any makeup or skin care product.

In the instructions it does state that since every woman is different (hear, hear!) some individuals may experience a very strong reaction while may experience a very weak reaction. It also states that some women may need to reapply the product once daily for three separate days before they feel a noticeable sensation. In the instance that you experience a very strong reaction the instructions state that the gel may be removed by washing with a mild soap and water. If the sensation is somewhat weak you may also apply more.

Secret Garden is a very light gel. It is easy to apply and easy to wash away. It has a subtle scent and taste of mint. In this respect it is much preferable to many other products like it. Other arousal creams I have used seem to rely heavily on artificial fruit flavors and their scent can linger even after a shower.

The first time I applied Secret Garden, I noticed a slight cooling sensation. It was not as strong as I expected but I applied more and the sensation became more intense. The directions tell you to apply it directly to the clitoral region, taking time to massage the tissue under the clitoris. I also apply to the inner part of my labia and I think it definitely helps increase sensitivity during vaginal intercourse.

The formula for Secret Garden is dependent on three active ingredients; L-Arginine, L-Ornithine, and Turnera aphrodisiaca extract (commonly known as Damiana, or Mexican Holly). L-Arginine is thought to be used by the body to make nitrous-oxide, which acts as a vasodilator to increase blood flow. It has been used in men as a treatment for erectile dysfunction|Male Impotence (or Erectile Dysfunction) and so it's use here would presumably be to increase blood flow to the clitoral region. L-Ornithine is supposed to promote muscle-building in the body by increasing levels of hormones such as insulin and growth hormone. Turnera aphrodisiaca extract (Damiana) has been used as an aphrodisiac from as far back as the Mayans. It is supposed to increase desire for sex as well as enhance the act itself. Normally all three would be taken orally so I am not sure what benefit you might see by applying these ingredients topically, if any, but just in case I have been applying once a day for the past two weeks. Even if these ingredients are unable to achieve the desired results, the cooling feeling, probably a result of the peppermint extract (mentha piperita) is pleasant and gets me in the mood. It's a nice supplement to just plain lube, although I have found that the cooling feeling wears off fairly quickly and you may need to reapply if you would like to continue the sensation. As an added bonus, if your partner is reluctant to engage in oral play, the minty flavor might be just what you need to entice them into giving it a shot.

Although Secret Garden doesn’t provide the most assertive sensation of all the female arousal creams|Arousal lubes I have tried, I think it would be a good introductory product for beginners and is a well thought-out product. It would make a nice bachelorette party gift for even your most conservative friends as I don’t see how anyone could be intimidated by Shunga’s upscale presentation. It would also make a romantic gift for your partner. I plan to keep using it to see if I notice any long-term effects from the active ingredients and will report back with any changes.