Nature’s aphrodisiacs

Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside,
let us spend the night in the villages.
Let us go early to the vineyards
to see if the vines have budded,
if their blossoms have opened,
and if the pomegranates are in bloom –
there I will give you my love.
The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
that I have stored up for you, my beloved.  Song of Songs 7:11-13

Now there’s an invitation. A sexual invite overflowing with images from the natural world. A world bursting with promise and new life. A slightly weird world of pomegranates and mandrakes. It’s not by chance that the pomegranate is mentioned – this fruit was a popular player in aphrodisiac lore – thought to increase sexual appetite. It’s seen as one of the culinary delights of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. There’s now been research done to prove that a glass of pomegranate juice every day for a fortnight produced a surge of testosterone in both men and women.

And as for mandrakes – they were known for their medicinal properties – although in large properties could induce madness and even death! They were renowned for having aphrodisiac qualities too – possibly as a result of how they looked. Apparently the forked root resembled a women’s thighs. Across many ancient traditions, the mandrake was considered to carry sexual power – consuming the yellow fruits was thought to bring sexual energy and fertility to both men and women. In several cultures, eating the fruits was seen as a guarantee of becoming pregnant. In some traditions, the roots were carried as an amulet to symbolise fertility. Even today, the mandrake root is carried as a love and good luck charm in eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. But beware – with the mandrake, you definitely can have too much of a good thing – overeating these fruits can cause dizziness and even madness!

So is there something in this whole aphrodisiac thing? The sceptics among us would say it is all the power of suggestion – that we eat knowing the reaction that we hope to receive and therefore that reaction is already more likely…

Either way, does it matter? Why not give it a try? Many of these foods are super good for you anyway!

Capsaicin, a chemical found in red hot chilli peppers, increases circulation to get blood pumping and stimulates nerve endings so you’ll feel more turned on. We’ve already talked about pomegranates. The key there is antioxidants which allow the blood to flow more freely – to the parts that need it most! Red wine contains resveratrol – also a handy antioxidant. Olives and olive oil are a good source of antioxidants and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vital for a healthy heart, blood flow and hormone production. The healthy Vitamin C in strawberries also helps to keep the blood flowing. Watermelon contains a chemical that causes the blood vessels to relax and circulation to improve.

The artichoke‘s long-lived aphrodisiac reputation may come from the intimate way you may eat one together, but they’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants too. Cherries are packed with feel-good vitamins (A, C, and E), potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and more. Bananas contain potassium, which develops muscle strength – so when you orgasm, the effects will be super intense. Figs are also full of potassium and antioxidants and have long been a symbol of sexuality and fertility.

Salmon, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids that keep sex hormone production at its peak. The vitamin E in asparagus and avocados helps your body churn out hormones like testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone, which circulate in your bloodstream and stimulate sexual responses. It could be the Vitamin E too that maintains energy levels and youthful vigour. Oysters are brimming with zinc, which increases the production of testosterone. Pine nuts are high in energising zinc too.

Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine which produces feelings of wellbeing and excitement – just right to get you in the mood. Honey is a symbol of procreation – hence honeymoon – and contains boron, which helps regulate oestrogen and testosterone levels and provides a natural energy boost. Coffee contains the natural stimulant caffeine that ups the heart rate and increases blood flow. Chai tea contains lower levels of caffeine but also ginger, cloves and cinnamon, that will naturally get the blood flowing. Vanilla mildly stimulates the nerves, causing more intense sensations.

Have a good look at these foods. These are all nature’s foods. Well, apart from chocolate and red wine and coffee, but we always manage to make excuses for those, right? No, these foods are all good, all natural. Nothing processed. No refined sugars. All nature’s finest. All as God intended.

Let’s face it, all these foods may be good for sexual health and happiness, but they’re great for all-round health and happiness too.