Aphrodisiacs are named after, Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, fruitfulness, and beauty. An aphrodisiac is a substance that puts one in the mood for love and can include food, herbs, good conversation, moonlight and lingerie! Aphrodisiacs may have a direct effect on the erogenous zones. Some may stimulate, irritate or act as a diuretic, causing one to experience more sensation.
Aphrodisiacs may affect the mind, cause relaxation and prolong lovemaking. Their shape, texture or smell may be reminiscent of sex. There is an ancient worldwide belief called The Doctrine of Signatures that believes plants give us hints as to what they are good for, by the way they look, smell, taste, and grow. They may be highly nutritious and by improving health, bring about healthier libido. Both sex and food are closely related by being pleasurable and physical.
Aphrodisiacs can be enjoyed anywhere from half an hour to an hour before making love. Best is when they are incorporated into one's daily life for their health tonifying properties. As good health is essential to sexual vitality, good nutrition is imperative. When we are in poor health, sexual vitality decreases.
Many of the foods mentioned here contain the seeds of life: the design and pattern for creating new life, with the potential to grow into a replica of themselves. For example a pumpkin seed planted, could spread into an awesome vine, bearing several pumpkins, resplendent with nourishing seeds, benefiting the reproductive system. A raw pumpkin seed contains this spark of life, yet a roasted salted one would not grow.
Grains for libido include rice, (no wonder it is thrown at weddings), wild rice, barley, buckwheat, corn, millet and oats.
In Asian medicine, it is the Water Element or Kidney that governs sexual vitality. According to this tradition, black (and blue) colored and salty foods such as chia seeds, miso, black olives, sea vegetables, black sesame seeds and blueberries.
Vegetables play a part in the food pharmacopoeia of sexuality. Some have suggestive shapes like asparagus (a genito-urinary stimulant), which was cultivated by the Arabs and Greeks as an aphrodisiac. English herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper (1616-1654) said that asparagus "stirreth up bodily lust in man and woman."
Shiitake mushrooms are used in the orient to make women more responsive. In general, roots such as carrots, dandelion and burdock help energize the lower chakras. A Japanese proverb says, "A man who likes carrots, likes women." It would be unwise to serve your beloved wilted carrots. Okra is stiff and exudes a slimy fluid, not unlike sexual fluids.
Garlic and onions are warming and stimulating. Egyptian priests and devout Hindus were forbidden from consuming them in the belief that they would lose control over their sensual desires.
Arugula was often used in ancient love potions. It is still found growing around phallic statues in Greece and Rome. Celery contains androsterone, which is released in the sweat after being consumed. It attracts women and has traditionally been included in aphrodisiac recipes.
Artichokes are an unopened flower. Paris street vendors of the 1700's used to cry out "Artichokes! Artichokes! Heats the body and the spirit. Heats the genitals!" It is the one vegetable there is more of, after you eat it.
The French word for beet, betterave, is slang for penis or "man root." Avocados are called ahuactl in South America, meaning "testicle. " Sea vegetables, both salty and dark colored are mineral rich and nourish the thyroid gland and entire endocrine system, which when under active, lessen libido. Winter squash and cabbage are warming nutritive sexual tonic foods.
Phosphorus found in chutneys, curries, salsas and hot foods stimulate circulation and the sex organs.
The Perfumed Garden says "Green peas boiled with onions
together with cinnamon, ginger and cardamoms, all aground, create passion and strength in coitus."
Fruits entice passion with their sweetness and succulence. Consider their shape, hot colors and juicy nature. Apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, dates (especially Jujube -- Chinese red dates), mangoes, mulberries, peaches, persimmons, strawberries, and watermelon (eat the seeds) are all considered sex tonic foods. Suck the fruit out of a perfectly ripe persimmon. Try eating ripe mangoes in a bathtub with your beloved. Figs and pomegranates, known for their abundance of seeds, are traditional love tonics. Pomegranate means "apple of many seeds" and due to its blood red color has long been a symbol of fertility, birth and sexuality. If you are in the tropics where they grow, soursop and durian, they are considered supreme sexual foods. There is a saying in Malaysia, "When the durians fall, the sarongs rise." Better to eat a piece of ripe fruit than to over stimulate blood sugar levels with excessive amounts of sweet juices.
Nuts and seeds are foods of love. Being fertile, they contain the reproductive energy of plants. Almonds, chia, hazelnuts, hemp seed, pine nuts, pistachios, poppy, walnuts, pumpkin, sesame (especially black) and sunflower seeds are rich in zinc, an important component of sexual fluids. Halvah, made of sesame seed and honey are food for inability to orgasm and to give courage. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of nutrients, high in protein and essential fatty acids. Soaking them overnight and rinsing the next morning, removes enzyme inhibitors, softens them and enhances their digestibility as well as "bringing them to life" as many will sprout "tails." Always avoid rancid nuts and seeds.
Chocolate and rose water contain a chemical called phenylethylamine that is also produced by the brains of people in love and simulates post coital bliss. Chocolate was the love tonic of Montezuma who drank some fifty cups daily, before visiting his harem of six hundred women. During the 1800's, physicians suggested chocolate to boost libido. When enjoying chocolate allow it to slowly and sensuously melt in your mouth.
When buying rose water, make sure it says distilled to avoid buying a synthetic product. Add rosewater to desserts such as rice pudding and baklava.
Use lavish amounts of the culinary herbs in your cuisine, may of which are considered aphrodisiac including anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, curry (a blend of herbs), paprika, pepper and turmeric.
Ideal food for sexuality should be light, moist, sweet and easily digested. Moist foods lend their yin to sexual fluids. Naturally sweet foods, such as fruits and vegetables, provide energy and stamina.
Women and men need clean arteries for optimal arousal. A diet overly rich in animal fats (including pasteurized dairy products) can block nerve sensitivity and cause stagnant chi. As erection is achieved by blood moving into the penis, hardening of the arteries can hamper that essential function. Avoid hydrogenated oils such as margarine, shortening and fried foods. Eating excessive refined sugars and carbohydrates decreases libido. Icy cold foods can cool your passions. It is also best to eat small frequent meals to be emotionally stable. In general, eating less is an excellent way to stay sexually vital. Save some hunger for your beloved! Ice cream before bed cools your jets.
Make snacks an opportunity for health by eating nourishing foods. Let nuts, seeds, active yogurt, fruit and vegetables replace candy and ice cream.
By feeding a potential mate, you exhibit your ability to provide food and pleasure. Share meals with your beloved as much as possible. Say a blessing first. Enjoy beautiful, delicious, healthful food. Prepare food with a vibration of love, enjoying music, pretty things to work with and luscious organic ingredients. Food tastes great when eaten outside. Enjoy picnics, even if it's in your own yard, under a tree.
Enjoy the sensation of eating with your fingers. Inhale the aromas of your food. Taste and savor. Drink a bit of champagne or cordial from your lover's navel. Let eating be a sensual pleasure. Remember to avoid any foods topically that you may be allergic to orally.
Sharing of food is simple love magic and has long signified trust and bonding.
Flowers are the sex organs of plants. Decorate your food with organic edible flowers such as violets, rose petals (organic - with the white heel removed), day lilies and hibiscus. See my book, Rawsome! for a list of over 120 edible flowers. Show your beloved that they are adored! Make food a healthful, beautiful and flavorful expression of your love.
The best aphrodisiac of all is to be deeply in love!
What are some of your love food secrets?
Brigitte Mars, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, is a nutritional consultant who has been working with Natural Medicine for over forty years. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Omega, Boulder College of Massage, and Bauman Holistic College of Nutrition. She has a weekly local radio show called "Naturally" on KGNU and a private practice. Brigitte is the author of twelve books, including The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, Healing Herbal Teas, and Rawsome!. Click here for more healthy living articles, raw food recipes, videos, workshops, books, and more at brigittemars.com.
You might also enjoy the work of my yogini international model daughter, Rainbeau at
www.rainbeaumars.com