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Forget chocolates and oysters, one of the planet's most powerful aphrodisiacs could be found in whale vomit.

The sea creature's sick contains something known as ambergris, which is a waxy, flammable substance that has a foul smell.

In one study, scientists found that a chemical in ambergris caused male rats to crave sex more often.

Forget chocolate and oysters, one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs could be found in whale vomit (pictured)

The study was done several years ago, but was recently spotted by Esther Inglis-Arkell on iO9.

Ambergris, she explains, used to be taken from the stomach of sperm whales on a regular basis.

Whales can also eject this dark intestinal slurry into the ocean, where the hardens. 

It is particularly valuable in the perfume industry where it works as a 'fixative' preventing the scent's molecules from floating away too quickly.

When fresh, it smells like faeces, but as it ages it takes on a sweet and musky smell.

A sperm whale's sick contains something known as ambergris, which is a waxy, flammable substance. When fresh, it smells like faeces, but as it ages it takes on a sweet smell

Its main component, scientists found, was ambrein - an alcohol which is now the basis for different types of scents.

Researchers at the Kind Saud University in Saudi Arabia dosed male rats with ambrein, and then observed their behaviour.

'Male sexual activities were assessed by recording the erectile responses (penile erection) and homosexual mountings in the absence of female,' the study's authors wrote.

'Ambrein produced recurrent episodes of penile erection, a dose-dependent, vigorous and repetitive increase in [sex].'

The authors concluded that the use of chemicals in whale vomit could work as an effective aphrodisiac.

Ambergris (pictured) used to be taken from the stomach of sperm whales on a regular basis. At the time it was used in perfumes to fix a scent in place