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.
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