Foods for lust
The old adage 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach' is also
true of women too! In babyworld's Sex survey 60 per cent
of parents said their love life needed a pick-me-up so, why not try some
of these famous aphrodisiacs to get your sexual appetite running! However,
if you are trying for a baby make sure you read this article especially
for you!
Goat testicles, bat blood and reindeer
penises
It would appear that the human race has always had a little trouble
in getting the home fires burning. Boredom in the bedroom goes back as
far as we do, judging by the amount of cures and aphrodisiacs that have
been around. Luckily the worst thing a man may have to ingest today is
a dose of Viagra. Pity the passionless man in ancient India, though, who
had to try goat testicles boiled in milk. Roman satirist Juvenal was along
more pleasurable lines when he discovered the qualities of oysters. In
The Arabian Nights, the herb coriander was the miracle cure for a childless
merchant, while honeyed mead was the medieval equivalent of Sex and the
City's Cosmo cocktails.
Odd animal body parts are still used in some areas of the world to relieve
a flagging libido or sperm count, including fresh snake blood, bat blood,
reindeer penises, shark fins and ground rhino horns. However, we think
bringing back the spark into the boudoir should be more enjoyable than
a trip to the witchdoctor, so here are our top foods to get you in the
loving mood!
Forbidden fruit
Avocado: The Aztecs certainly bestowed a lot of faith in
avocados. Their word for the tree is "Ahuacuatl" which means "testicle
tree" as they thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled
a pair of testicles. So great was their respect for the fruit's powers
that virgins were not allowed anywhere near the trees during harvest time.
Avocados are great for you and are delicious served in slices with a small
amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper. Peaches: This fruit
isn't just enticing in shape (round, like a pair of buttocks!). The ripe,
juicy flesh and sweet flavour of peaches has been a firm favourite for
centuries with the Chinese for juicy loving, which might have something
to do with its sensual appearance or because they are packed with vitamins
and minerals that ensure your body's well-being. For ultimate results,
select firm peaches, free from bruises, and keep them in a paper bag until
ripe.
Bananas – these contain an alkaloid compound called
bufotenine which acts on the brain to improve your mood, self-confidence
and possibly your sex drive. The most beneficial part is just below the
skin, so make the most of it by baking bananas and scraping the flesh
from the skin. Bananas are also rich in B vitamins, which are believed
to be important in the manufacture of sex hormones.
Pineapples: are rich in vitamin C and used homeopathically
to treat impotence. They are delicious on their own or why not add a spear
to a Rum cocktail for a tropical treat.
Pomegranates: The pomegranate has long been renowned as
a symbol of fertility, probably because of its abundant seeds!
Veggies with va-va voom!
All veggies contain valuable nutrients that help your body function
to its optimum level and this alone may help a flagging sex drive. However,
it is thought that the shape of particular vegetables, such as asparagus
and artichoke, is so erotic as to ignite the flames of passion - I guess
it's a matter of trial and error!
Asparagus – Definitely a veggie that enjoys a phallic
shape, and its juicy interior has made it one of the most sensual vegetables.
Buy young stems or just the tips, lightly steam and drizzle with dripping
butter before popping them into your mouth for a healthy and satisfying
treat.
Celery – this contains androstenone, which is a biochemical
cousin of the male hormone testosterone and is believed to be the principal
chemical of attraction or pheromone. The Romans dedicated celery to Pluto,
their god of sex and the underworld, and crushed celery seeds (easily
added to salads or breads) are said to be particularly potent.
Cucumbers: are not only phallic in shape and aphrodisiac
in nature but they also stimulate a woman's olfactory senses, according
to recent research. Just make sure you have a nice shower or bath and
add some exotic deodorant before hitting the bedroom. Cucumbers can be
eaten raw in a salad or as sticks or served pureed in a chilled soup.
Onions: have a bad reputation for causing pongy breath
so these are the last things you would expect to eat before wooing your
one and only. However, they have been used in ancient Hindu, Egyptian
and Arabic kitchens to increase libido! Share a bowl of French onion soup
with your lover and see what happens … just remember to buy a pack of
Extra Strong Mints for afters…
Potent protein
Jane Clarke, in her book Bodyfoods for Women, emphasises the role nutrients
play in maintaining a healthy sex drive. In particular, she highlights
a lack of B vitamins, zinc and iron as common culprits for a lagging libido.
So why not try some of the following suggestions to put the oomph back
in your bedroom?
Nuts: All nuts are high in protein but certain ones are
specifically good for increasing your sexual appetite. Try sprinkling
some pine nuts onto a salad or into a stir fry for an instant hit of zinc
(important to maintain male potency). Alternatively, munch on some almonds,
whose aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Gingko nuts are
also great for improving blood circulation to extremities, which obviously
can improve one extremity!
Sexy seafood: Jane urges women to regularly include some
of the following food in their diets, which are all rich zinc and iron:
oysters, prawns, mussels and clams. As mentioned earlier, oysters were
first documented by the Roman satirist Juvenal for their lust-giving properties.
He described the 'wanton ways' of women after ingesting wine and eating
'giant oysters'. Additionally, oysters are said to resemble the female
genitalia, which might give an added dimension to their powers!
Herbs and spice and all things nice!
Adding a few touches here and there to your cooking can really spice
things up later! Try the following herbs and spices to see how they relight
your fire!
Aniseed: is an extremely popular aphrodisiac that is widely
used in cookery. The Greeks and Romans certainly believed in its powers
and sucking on aniseed seeds is said to increase your desire!
Basil: (not the 'Fawlty' type) is reputed to stimulate
your sex drive and boost fertility, as well as producing a general sense
of well-being for body and mind.
Chocolate: Finally! Scientists have now proved what we
women have been saying for centuries - chocolate makes you feel great!
It is now acknowledged as one of the most effective aphrodisiacs available,
as chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in
the brain and a substance similar to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate
also contains higher levels of antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes)
than red wine but the secret lies in the density of cocoa. So ditch the
Mars bars and treat yourself to a more luxurious brand, such as Green
& Blacks. If it gets you into the bedroom, he can't complain!
Cinnamon – the spice is thought to tone the kidneys
and produce a strong flow of energy; Chinese medicine links it to virile
sexuality. Try sprinkling a little cinnamon on your baked bananas, stirring
a cinnamon stick in hot chocolate, or even burning a little in a vaporiser
to scent the room.
Cocoa – the emperor Montezuma used to drink chocolate
before entering his harem, which gave rise to the belief that chocolate
is an aphrodisiac. Dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) actually contains
the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, plus phenyethylamine, which is
a mood-elevator. Some researchers say that the chemicals in chocolate
stimulate the production of endorphins – feel-good chemicals found
in high levels in new lovers. So finish off your meal with some good dark
chocolate…
Garlic's aphrodisiac effect is twofold. Firstly, it improves
blood circulation, and secondly scientists have found that it can stimulate
the production of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase, which is responsible
for the mechanism of erection. Try making your own wholemeal garlic bread
– wholegrains are rich in zinc, which is important for healthy sperm
production.
Ginger – this is one of the oldest medicinal spices
in the world; its allegedly increases the blood flow to your genitals
and therefore acts as an aphrodisiac. Try it in a spicy dish served with
saffron rice. It can also be used as part of an aromatherapy blend for
massage or a room scent.
Honey: has a long tradition linked to fertility. Medieval
lovers used to ply their partners with Mead, an alcoholic drink made from
honey, while lovers on their 'honeymoon' drank Mead to sweeten their marriage.
Serve it on toast, in drinks or drizzle it on your tongue! (You will need
runny honey for this!)
Liquorice: not really the Bertie Bassett type but pure
liquorice has been used by the Chinese for medicinal purposes since ancient
times. The essence of liquorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar and chewing
on liquorice roots is supposed to enhance love and lost, particularly
in women. Remember to clean your teeth afterwards to remove the black
bits.
Nutmeg: if you need a little help to get your mind wandering
in the right direction, try adding some nutmeg to your cooking. It was
highly esteemed by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac and can apparently
produce a hallucinogenic effect!
Saffron – this is the most expensive spice in the
world. In Ayurvedic medicine, saffron is used to help treat infertility;
it’s used widely as an aphrodisiac in Asia and the Middle East.
Truffles – truffles are at their best in January and
February, and are thought to be aphrodisiac because of their musky scent;
they contain substances that mimic pheromones. They’re also a good
source of phosphorus, which some experts believe can increase sex drive
and responsiveness.
Warning: Not all of the items listed in this article are suitable for
women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Please check with your doctor
or midwife about the suitability of any of the items.
Where to next?
|
