Aphrodisiacs

Planning a romantic evening? Aphrodisiacs  may help spice up your love life for Valentine's Day  or any other occasion where intimacy is key. Named after the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality, Aphrodite, aphrodisiacs are meant to enhance and stimulate an individual's sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs may be a type of food, drink, scent, or drug. Supposedly, they are just what the doctor ordered to warm up the night after a special dinner or dessert. Whether it be the tantalizing taste, the exotic appeal of a rare and expensive delicacy, or the provocative shape and feel of the aphrodisiacs, when it comes time to please, they score on multiple levels.

Aniseed  has long been know to enhance the libido of both men and women in a similar fashion to that of fennel.  Fennel seeds can also be chewed to sweeten the breath -- definitely a good idea!	Asparagus,  a nutritious and erotic looking vegetable, is packed with folic acid, which by producing histamines, can help both men and women achieve a heightened sense of pleasure. What an excuse to eat your greens!	Almonds,  which are packed with protein and essential fats, are sweet smelling and delicious. Eat them raw, roasted, or in the sweet form of succulent marzipan.  Can you smell the love?	Arugula  is a spicy, leafy green vegetable, perfect for sprucing up salads and pasta dishes. It has been used in love potions and packs a mean amount of vitamins A and C as well as iron and calcium.	Avocado,  known by the Aztecs as the fruit from the "testicle tree" tastes great with its creamy texture and lush taste. Add it to salads or eat it by the spoonful. Anyone up for guacamole?

Bananas,  besides their shape, offer more than meets the eye. The true boost from these babies comes from the high amount of potassium and vitamin B they contain -- the perfect pick-me-up!	Basil  (with its sweet smell) and pine nuts  (rich in zinc, a nutrient responsible for male potency) are both known to be aphrodisiacs, making pesto  a multitasking sauce.  Try it on pasta, fish, or bruschetta.	Chocolate,  long considered an aphrodisiac, helps boost seratonin and increase energy with a little jolt of caffeine. It is also chock full of antioxidants. Combine with red wine  for the full effect.	Carrots  and cucumbers  are two vegetables that most certainly speak for themselves when it comes to their erotic shape. Carrots are worth every bit of beta-carotene in them and they can be used in all types of dishes.	Coffee,  a natural stimulant, has been shown to give women in particular a boost in libido when they drank it infrequently. See an article that explains more about this phenomenon at the California Aggie.

Coriander seed,  once used in love potions combined with cinnamon, clove, and ginger, is suspected to liven the senses. It also is an excellent spice for cooking.	Eggs, especially caviar,  are associated with new life and fertility. Caviar itself is rich in zinc and protein which help improve blood flow.	Figs  are said to look like female genitalia. Feed the lush, ripened fruits to your lover one at a time, or top with a little goat cheese and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a tasty appetizer.	Garlic,  known to help increase circulation, could help improve things under the belt. Just make sure to brush your teeth!	Ginger  is an energizing, lively root that will give any dish, and your circulation, a kick. Besides that, it also has an exotic smell that is sure to spice up any occasion.

Honey  is believed to banish sterility and impotence as well as sweeten romance. In medieval times, mead (beer made with honey) was consumed to reduce inhibitions. This custom led to the term 'honeymoon'.	Licorice,  which smells a lot like anise, has been shown to dramatically increase blood flow. Try eating it or drinking some licorice flavored liqueur after dinner.	Mustard  is a spicy and flavorful sauce perfect to smear on some juicy steaks. It is also said to energize the sexual organs.	Nutmeg  and cinnamon  are two spices that will warm and relax the stomach while jump starting your metabolism. Nutmeg is also said to increase mating behaviors in mice. Bring on the mulled wine!	Oysters  are clearly useful for enhancing sexual activity because they are packed with B12 and zinc, two necessary nutrients for increasing blood flow and providing energy. Oh la oysters!

Pineapple  is chock full of vitamins and natural fructose which helps boost energy. It is also used in a homeopathic treatment for impotence.	Raspberries and strawberries  with their rich red color and sweet flavor are the perfect accompaniment to a glass of champagne,  another item considered to be an aphrodisiac.	Truffles,  rare and expensive, have an exotic smell that turns food from bland to bam! The musky scent alone is sensuous and earthy, perfect for sprucing up a romantic dinner.	Vanilla bean,  with its sweet, succulent smell, is great for relaxing and supposedly it helps combat sexual debilitation. Combine it with chocolate for a delicious duo!	Wine,  rich in antioxidants, this alcoholic beverage is not only tasty and healthy, but it helps relax you and lessen your inhibitions. Just be careful to stay within your limits!

External Links

• About.com -- Herbs that are natural aphrodisiacs.
• About.com -- Foods of love and recipes.
• FDA -- The facts about aphrodisiacs including information about cultural views, testing, and scams.
• Gourmet Sleuth -- A list of Web sites that feature recipes using foods that are aphrodisiacs.
• How Stuff Works -- The basics about herbal aphrodisiacs.
• Love and Romance -- The foods and fun ways to eat them.
• My Pleasure -- Aphrodisiacs have been around for over 5000 years. Find out where these particular ones gained popularity.
• Wikipedia -- The story behind Aphrodite.