Aphrodisiac Food

Photo by Ben Fink from the book "Intercourses"

And of course the generous mother nature goes beyond just herbs and spices into the wide variety of fruits and veggies that will make your mind and imagination go wild. Here are some potent ones:

Asparagus 
Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience. The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".

Basil (sweet basil) 
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind. 



Caviar
, being sturgeon eggs, contain a large amount of vitamins and phosphorous. Try caviar with vodka for a real experience or better yet with champagne and strawberries, a classic.

Chocolate was referred to by the Aztecs as the "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called the obromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of earthy red with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat.

Celery
 contains androsterone, a powerful male hormone that researchers believe is released through sweat and attracts females. Celery has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac. It contains vitamins A, C, B, P and minerals. It is excellent for the muscles and liquefies the blood. But most celebrated as an aphrodisiac are the celery seeds. Crush them to spice bread or an oil-vinegar salad dressing.



Coffee
 is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".

Figs 
are the visual fruits that resemble female sex organs and are traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act. Serve them fresh and ripe, and be sure to eat with your fingers!


Honey
was the base for many medicines in Egyptian times, including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their "Honeymoon" drank mead and it was thought to s "sweeten" the marriage.

Mustard is a stimulant, irritant, ground seeds and plant promote virility; therefore, monks were forbidden to eat mustard.

Nuts
 have had a reputation as aphrodisiacs for centuries. During harvest festivals in Rome, maidens passed out bowls of nuts as symbols of fertility.


Oysters
 were documented as an aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D and the hypothesis is that the oyster resembles the "female" genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein. Oysters are a healthy food that are rich in phosphorus, iodine and zinc, which is known to increase the sexual health of both men and women. Legend holds that Casanova ate 50 raw oysters every morning with the lady du jour. Chardonnay is a good companion. 


Pineapple has a diuretic, invigorator, great digestive effect, and purifying effect. For aphrodisiac effect eat with chili powder or mix with honey and rum. A small glass taken daily promotes energies of love. It contains proteolitic enzyme bromelain and minerals. Unripe fruits can cause pregnant women to miscarry.

Pine Nuts
 (actually seeds of the pine tree) have been used as an aphrodisiac throughout the Mediterranean and the East. The Roman poet, Ovid, included pine nuts in his list of aphrodisiacs. The Perfumed Garden, (an ancient Arabic love manual), contains many references to pine nuts including this prescription to restore a man's sexual vigor: "A glass of thick honey, plus 20 almonds and 100 pine nuts repeated for three nights." 
Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.
 Pine kernels are famous for their aphrodisiac properties.

Pomegranate (Mediterranean, Asia Minor) is sacred to Astarte and Aphrodite, rind of fruit rich in tannins.

Truffles
with their musky scent are said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
The fragrant musty smell of this precious, rare fungus contains chemicals that are similar to the sex hormones in the male pig. (Sounds familiar?) According to the famed French gastronome Brillat-Savarin: "Whoever says 'truffle' utters a great word which arouses erotic and gastronomic memories."

Wild rose is a shrub- erotic stimulant, especially for women, love magic, rose petals used in tea or love potions. Rose oil is also used as perfume.

Vanilla, through its scent and flavor, is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness." 



Wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips. A moderate amount of wine has been said to "arouse" but much more than that amount will have the reverse affect.