We have all heard of wonder ingredients and magical recipes that are said to raise libido and intensify sexual desire. We may have even tried some of these to set the mood for a night of passion. No, I am not talking of Viagra, dangerous party drugs or chemicals. I am not talking of alcohol either, none of the stuff that merely helps to drop inhibitions. I am talking of natural aphrodisiacs – edible products that enhance sexual performance and get you in a love-making mood, with special emphasis on stuff that you would have around the house anyway or can easily buy. But there are so many old wives tales doing the rounds that it gets difficult at times to tell the difference between the real and the fake. To save you from testing everything from powdered ginger to weird seeds, here is a list of top 10 time-tested foods and recipes for desire.
1. Milky Potions
Remember those numerous Bollywood flicks where the newly wed wife always walks in with a glass of milk for the man at bedtime? Well, it does have some relevance after all. It is believed that having a cupful of warm milk, sprinkled with seeds of cardamom, and laced with honey an hour before you get into bed could increase a man’s potency. Taken regularly, it could cure premature ejaculation. Even today, in many parts of India, young couples are given warm milk with soaked-and-ground almonds to improve, well, ‘stamina’. Cloves, boiled in warm milk, consumed every day before bed time is an old Chinese trick for uplifting desire.
2. Magic Seeds
Traditional Asian medicine recommends Carom seeds (ajwain) well roasted in clarified butter, chewed at bedtime, for elevating sexual pleasure.
3. Spices that add zing
It is believed that ferula or Asafoetida(hing) if used lavishly in your cooking can make all the difference. Yes, it does make your food stink, but what it does for you in return, more than makes up for the smell.
Green chilies eaten raw or part of all those hot spicy curries are believed to have aphrodisiacal effects because they produce results much like sex would – increase your heart rate and cause you to perspire. So gorge on some spicy chicken curry or paneer matar masala to get ready for some spicy moments.
Garlic has been believed to have magical, therapeutic and aphrodisiacal properties since time immemorial. Back during Homer’s lifetime, Greeks ate garlic every single day in some form or the other – with bread, as a condiment, or added to salads as a much loved flavor. It was the main ingredient in their favorite dressing consisting of cheese, garlic, eggs, honey, and olive oil.
Good old ginger in just any form is said to have the potential to arouse both males and females. For the impotent, it is a boon. Its impact can be heightened if a half-boiled egg is consumed with it every night, for a month.
Here is a taste bud friendly way to consume ginger: Extract half a cup of ginger juice. Mix it well with one cup of lemon juice and 4 teaspoons of sugar. Pour this concentrate into two tall cocktail glasses and top it with chilled water. Garnish with mint sprigs. Now, slip into your bed and enjoy the chilled drink in the company of each other.
4. Chocolates
Apart from being the best friend of your taste buds, chocolate contains a combination of both a sedative that relaxes and lowers inhibitions and a stimulant that increases activity and the desire for physical contact. It was actually banned from some monasteries centuries ago because of its aphrodisiacal effect.
5. Fruits for a fruitful night of love-making
Amongst fruit aphrodisiacs, Banana tops the list. Not only does it look like the male phallus, it also contains an enzyme called bromelain that enhances male sexual health.
Pomegranate, a symbol of fertility with its abundant seeds, is considered to boost sexual appetite. For the Chinese, the pomegranate symbolized prosperity in a rich household.
Peach is a seductive fruit by virtue of its shape, color and its delicious taste. It may have been considered an aphrodisiac because it betters overall health, being a rich source of vitamins and minerals; and improved health always leads to an increased sex drive.
Strawberries have been celebrated for their aphrodisiacal effect since ancient Rome. In provincial France, newlyweds were always served a cold strawberry soup to up their desire. According to folklore, if you break the strawberry into half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other. So, try it with the girl or the guy you have been chasing for long and your love story might just meet a happy ending.
6. Oysters
Esteemed as sex aids for ages, Oysters are definitely the most popular aphrodisiac amongst all. Vagina like in appearance, Oysters were high on the Roman’s list of prized aphrodisiacs. According to legend, Casanova would eat 50 raw oysters for breakfast. A possible reason could be its richness of zinc, a nutrient which is necessary for sperm production. Raw oysters are also high in D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, which are said to increase testosterone levels in males, which could increase libido. Though this theory is questionable, the fact that oysters make for scrumptious and very stylish appetizers has made it popular worldwide.
And if you are still wondering why and how oysters could work for you, go right ahead and try it now. As they say, experience is the best teacher.
7. Celery
Celery is known to contain androsterone, a male hormone that is able to stimulate the sexual arousal of females. It also contains minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorus that strengthens the male sex organs. So all you men out there – have it as an accompaniment with your dinner regularly and feel the difference!
8. Sweet Potato
This mellow flavored vegetable is said to increase the female sex drive if eaten in large amounts. It's high in potassium, which helps reduce stress--a great way to curb performance anxiety in the night. However, be careful not to season it with a lot of salt, because the sodium can inhibit the potato's potassium. Instead, try this simple recipe:
Microwave two whole unpeeled Sweet Potatoes for 8 minutes on medium. Now peel it, slice it into not so thick round slices. Sprinkle some fresh ground pepper and top with a dollop of sour cream, another source of libido-friendly protein. Enjoy!
9. Vanilla Coffee
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust and caffeine is a well-know stimulant. So pour small amounts of dark rich coffee in small cups and add to that a vanilla bean or a spoon of authentic vanilla essence. Coffee will stimulate both the body and the mind and vanilla will arouse you for an erotic experience. Perfect recipe for an all-nighter!
10. Wine
Wine is viewed as an ‘erotic’ drink. A glass or two of wine, especially red wine, reduces stress and stimulates our senses, greatly enhancing a romantic interlude. It is believed to raise the testosterone level in women, thus leading to a dramatic increase in libido. But excess of wine can make you too drowsy for any action. So ladies, smell the wine, caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips but don’t binge drink.
Apart from these, keeping your body fit and active is a must so that it responds to these aphrodisiacs and gets into the action mode when aroused. To enhance the effect, spray on some provocative perfume before you meet your partner and let the smell communicate your emotions. And don’t you listen to all those disbelievers who tell you that aphrodisiacs don’t work; because they will work only if you believe they do. So light a scented candle, get dressed to kill, lay out an elaborate meal for two and find out for yourself if there is any truth to aphrodisiacs.
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An independent writer, Juhi Dua sees life through magnifying lenses and finds immense joy in perfecting the smallest of tasks. After all, it is these small pieces that make the big picture. She writes for various websites and publications on subjects that fire her. She lives in Mumbai.
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