Guide to Aphrodisiacs: Kama Sutra Aphrodisiacs

Vatsyayana Kama Sutra or Aphorisms on Love by Vatsyayana is a classical Indian treatise on the art of making love and related subjects. It's precise date of origin is not known, only that it must have been written between the first and the sixth century, A.D. It was translated into English in 1883 by Sir Richard F. Burton and F. F. Arbuthnot; the present presentation is based on that translation, which is available.

Part seven deals with "means of attracting others to yourself" and contains numerous recipes for internal as well as external use. Many of them are based on plants which are identified only by their Hindi names and which are virtually impossible to obtain outside India. Most of these preparations have been excluded here.

Make a woman surrender

If a man wants to make a woman subject to his will, he can prepare a mixture of the powders of white thorn apple (Datura stramonium, extremely toxic!), long pepper (tippali, Piper longum) and black pepper, combine it with honey and anoint his penis before intercourse. It should be noted that the tropane alkaloids of the thorn apple will be readily resorbed through the mucous membranes of the penis and the vagina and might cause severe poisoning.

Alternative, and less risky, ointments to achieve the same purpose include constituents such as flowers thrown on human corpse when carried out to be burned and the remains of a kite who has died a natural death.

A less strange ointment can be prepared from the myrobalam plant (Phyllanthus emblica). Another suggestion, to apply a mixture of, inter alia, arsenic and honey to the male member just before intercourse appears to be directly dagerous to both parties involved in the union.

Increase sexual vigor

Several preparations are said to increase sexual vigor. The easiest to prepare consists of equal parts of ghee (clarified butter), honey, sugar, licorice, the juice of fennel bulbs and milk. This is "a nectar-like composition" which is "provocative of sexual vigor" and a "preservative of life".


Milk, licorice and sugar/honey play a central role in many of the recipes. Additional ingredients can include the asparagus relative shitawari (Asparagus racemosus), long pepper (Piper longum) and the seeds or roots of Trapa bispinosa.

Slightly more exotic is the suggestion to boil a testicle of a ram or a goat in milk, add sugar, and drink the concoction. Kama Sutra does not specify whether the testicle should be pureed before serving.

Increase the size of the penis or contract the vagina

Part seven of Kama Sutra also contains a number of recipes said to alter the size of the human reproductive organs. All of them appear totally useless but rather dangerous.

Guide to Aphrodisiacs: Indian Aphrodisiacs

In a country which has reached a population of almost 1 billion there must be an extensive knowledge of what might stimulate reproductive behaviour. In the following some recommendations from Ayurvedic medicine as well as from modern Indian herbalists have been brought together. Another source of Indian aphrodisiacs is the Kama Sutra, reviewed in our Kama Sutra Aphrodisiacs post.

Ajwain

Ajwain or Bishop's Weed (Trachyspermum ammi of the Umbelliferae family) is a shrub, occurring from Egypt to India, which has been used for medical purposes for several thousand years. The seeds are rich in thymol and are considered an effective aphrodisiac. They should be crushed and fried in ghee (clarified butter), normal butter or olive oil together with an equal quantity of crushed kernels of tamarind seeds. A teaspon of this fried product, taken together with honey and milk before retiring, increases virility and cures premature ejaculation, according to traditional Indian herbal medicine.

Arjuna


Arjuna, Terminalia arjuna, is a tree found in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. A decoction of the powdered white bark with milk is alleged to be an effective sex stimulant if taken regularly over a period of time. Further uses suggested in Ayurvedic medicine include treatment of asthma and heart disorders.

Butea

The leaves of the Indian tree Butea monosperma, "Flame of the forest", have been used in Indian herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac and to stop bleeding and diarrhea.

However, be careful! An infusion of the leaves is also said to lower the amount of blood sugar, which could have detrimental effects.

Castus

Castus, Saussurea lappa (Compositae), also known in Chinese herbal medicine as mu xiang, occurs, inter alia, in Kashmir at an altitude of 2500-4000 metres above the sea level. The root of the plant is well-known in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac. It contains an essential oil which is partly excreted in the urine. During the passage of the urine through the urethra the presence of the oil causes considerable irritation, which can give rise to a somewhat painful erection. This mechanism is reminescent of the effect of the Spanish fly.

Hydrophilia

Hydrophilia, Asteracanthus longifolia (=Hydrophilia spinosa) of the Acathaceae family is a stout, rough, thorny annual plant occurring in swamps in India and Pakistan. The seeds, the dried plant and the roots are used as a popular aphrodisiac (which part depends on the region).

Fifty grammes of the root boiled with one litre of water until the volume has been reduced to half a litre will provide a tonic of which three tablespoons should be taken daily for optimal effects.

Indian aloe

Indian aloe, Aloe barbedensis of the Liliaceae family, is a 50 - 80 centimeter high plant with long, fleshy leaves and small yellow or orange flowers. The leaves are believed to be a useful aphrodisiac, but the skin must be removed before administration.

If the procurement of fresh leaves is difficult, also the dried leave juice can be used. It is known as elio and normally taken in doses of around 0.1 grammes.

Indian Liquorice

Indian liquorice is a common name of the root of Abrus precatorius. However, it is the seeds, sometimes known as jequirity, that are believed to be an aphrodisiac. Be careful! They contain the extremely toxic polypeptide abrin, as toxic as ricin. Five crushed seeds have been a lethal dose for young persons.

During the early 20th Century, the seeds were used in India to poison English cavallery horses. The normal use of the seeds is for ornamental purposes, e.g. in necklaces.

Indian Mallow

Indian mallow, Abutilon indicum of the Malvaceae family, has seeds, which are believed to be both an aphrodisiac and a laxative, for me a rather strange combination of properties.

Furthermore, the leaves of the same plant have been used against diarrhoea as well as against gonorrhoea and bladder inflammations.

Kuthimithi

All parts of the shrub Withania somnifera, known as Winter Cherry or Kuthimithi or under its sanskrit name Ashwagandha, are said to promote libido, the root being most potent. A traditional Indian recipe calls for two to four grams of the powdered root to be taken together with milk.

The plant belongs to the potato family, Solanaceae, but contains relatively little of tropane alkaloids. However, somniferine is present, an alkaloid which can induce sleep if taken in sufficient quantity.

For other examples of Indian use of herbs and spices as aphrodisiacs, see, e.g.: Arjuna , Ginger, Nutmeg, Pepper

Fruits and Vegetables: Phytonutrients - Back to Nature

Phytochemicals are the future (and the past) for healthy living. Many people get phytonutrients everyday and don't even know it. Our parents and their parents always said, "Eat your vegetables! They are good for you." But no one really knew why, until now.

We now know that the active substances in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes help prevent disease and cancer. The very substances that are responsible for their color, flavor and disease resistance help keep us healthy.

How simplistic is that? That the natural food, not processed, not enriched with chemicals, steroids or artificial anything, is what we need to eat to remain as healthy as can be. Back to nature equals back to simplicity. We need to slow down and weed our gardens. Our fast-paced lives have developed into fast-paced eating, which leads to foods that are, essentially, unhealthy. You can help counteract unhealthy foods by eating fresh produce. And unlike vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals do not appear to diminish when subjected to cooking or processing.

No matter how big your yard is, no matter how little time you have, no matter how little money you have; you can have a garden. Trust me, I have no extra time to speak of and I have a good-sized garden. It basically takes care of itself.

Plant a few tomato plants, a couple cucumber vines, some carrots and watermelons; water as often as you need, and you my friend, are on your way. If you plant the seeds, they will grow. Your body will thank you when you cook with fresh produce. You will reap the benefits emotionally, as well, as physically. They say that gardening is good for mental stimulation and uses every muscle group.

Phytonutrients: they have a name for everything, don't they? All I know is, I have learned to love my fruits and vegetables for the sake of my health and that of my family. I have grown to love my garden, even when it is full of weeds to be pulled. And, best of all, I have taught my children that cooking with ingredients we have grown in our yard is as easy as pie.

Fruits and Vegetables: A Phytochemical Pharmacy

Do the nutritional wonders of fruits and vegetables ever cease? For the past 20 years we've heard that fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of health, supplying us with a wealth of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. More recently, scientists have found another group of compounds within fruits and vegetables that may promote health--phytochemicals, which occur naturally in plants.

Phytochemicals are the biologically active substances in plants that give them their color, flavor, odor, and protection against plant diseases. During the past few years, scientists have discovered that many of these plant chemicals may also protect the body against disease. Studies have consistently found that eating greater amounts of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart attack, macular degeneration (the chief cause of blindness among the elderly), and most cancers. Consequently, hundreds of these plant substances are being investigated now for their role in preventing cancer and other degenerative diseases.

How do they work?

Many phytochemicals work as powerful antioxidants, protecting cells and organs from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are toxic oxygen molecules produced by cigarette smoke, X-rays, air pollutants, sunlight, and as a by-product of our metabolism. They are capable of oxidizing other molecules in our body, causing destruction and aging of cells. Along with aging, free radicals are thought to be involved in many ailments from cataracts to cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, decreasing their damaging effects.

Phytochemicals appear to interfere with virtually every stage of cancer growth. Certain phytochemicals seem to halt cancer at its inception by blocking the enzyme that activates cancer genes or by preventing various substances from forming cancer-causing agents called carcinogens. Others stop carcinogens from damaging cells, tissues, and organs, or help the body produce enzymes that destroy carcinogens. Still others suppress the spread of cancer by interfering with the reproduction of cells that already have been exposed to carcinogens.

Phytochemicals also may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Various phytochemicals have been found to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as block the oxidation of "bad" LDL-cholesterol, preventing it from harming arteries.

How they were discovered

During the 1970s, Lee Wattenberg, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, found that animals fed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other members of the cabbage family (called cruciferous vegetables) had lower rates of cancer than the control animals. Likewise, scientists at John Hopkins University found that lab animals fed cruciferous vegetables had a 90 percent reduction in their cancer rate after being exposed to aflatoxin, a deadly cancer-causing agent. Since that time, several phytochemicals have been isolated from cruciferous vegetables and found to have potent anti-cancer properties.

Also in the 1970s, German scientists discovered that the Japanese, who eat large amounts of soy foods, had 30 times more genistein, a component of soybeans, in their urine and considerably lower cancer rates than individuals on a Western diet (Plant Medica. 43: 101-120, 1981).

What studies have found

Allium compounds (from Garlic and Onions): A study of more than 41,000 women, known as the Iowa Women's Health Study (American Journal of Epidemiology, January 1, 1994, Vol. 139, No. 1) found that a diet consisting of garlic, fruits, and vegetables reduced the risk of colon cancer by 35 percent. Another study found that people in China's Shandong Province who eat garlic and onions regularly experience almost 40 percent less stomach cancer.

Lycopenes (from tomatoes and other red fruits): An Italian study of 5,500 people, found that eating tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, was more effective in preventing digestive tract cancers than eating green vegetables. Individuals who ate tomatoes at least seven times a week had half the risk of developing these cancers as those who ate tomatoes only once a week.

Other studies have seen similar results. A six-year study from Harvard Medical School involving 48,000 men, aged 40 to 75, discovered that those who ate tomato-based foods four to seven times a week cut their risk of prostate cancer by 22 percent and those who ate tomatoes more than ten times a week cut their risk by 35 percent. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second highest cause of cancer mortality in men in the United States.

Beta carotene (from yellow, orange, and dark green vegetables and fruits): Although study after study has shown that a diet rich in beta carotene could reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and eye disorders, some recent studies using synthetic beta carotene or synthetic beta carotene supplements failed to show similar results. Both the 12-year Physicians' Health Study and four-year Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) failed to find any evidence of benefit in those taking synthetic beta carotene supplements. Other research findings suggest that a combination of carotenes offers more benefits than synthetic beta carotene alone. One such study found a 33 percent reduced risk of heart disease in men with high blood levels of carotenoids. Lutein and zeaxanthin (carotenes from dark leafy green vegetables): A recent study on macular degeneration (the chief cause of blindness among the elderly) found that people who ate greens, such as spinach and collards, at least five times a week had almost half the risk of macular degeneration, compared to those who rarely ate greens. Greens are a rich source of carotenoids. Two of these carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are in the retina of the eye as well as in leafy greens, appear to form a pigment that filters out destructive forms of light and protects the eye. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that those eating a diet high in vegetables and fruits exhibited a similar reduction in the risk of eye-disease. Genistein (from soy foods, mung beans, and alfalfa sprouts): Studies show that when animals are feed soybeans or extracted genistein, breast cancer rates drop 40 to 65 percent. Genistein is an estrogen look-alike that can plug into estrogen receptor sites in breast tissue, thereby competing with estrogen and possibly deterring breast cancer.

Which is better--raw or cooked?

Some phytochemicals are partially destroyed by heat while others are heat-stable. Carotenoids lose some of their effect when cooked because they absorb more oxygen. Yet cooking enhances the availability of sulforaphane, a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables, and produces more indoles (see page 40) in broccoli. Cooking also appears to help release lycopene from cells in tomatoes. Thus tomato sauce and other canned or cooked tomato products offer more protection than raw tomatoes. Lightly microwave or steam vegetables instead of boiling to prevent phytochemicals from escaping into the cooking water.

What about supplements containing phytochemicals?

Individual chemicals that are isolated and extracted and then either made into a pill or combined with other plant chemicals to produce a synthetic product should, in theory, provide the same effects as those in whole plants. Numerous studies have found that animals given compounds extracted from fruits or vegetables and exposed to carcinogens exhibit a reduced incidence of cancers similar to that seen in animals that are fed the same fruits or vegetables (Cancer Causes and Control 2: 427, 1991).

Supplements are not intended to replace whole foods, but they may offer some added protection to those who need extra nutrients due to illness--especially cancer, and those who do not or are not able to eat the USDA recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, considering that the knowledge of phytochemicals and their properties is still evolving, it may be wishful thinking that a few of these compounds will provide all the health benefits of whole foods which contain hundreds. According to one analysis, citrus fruits alone contain 58 known anti-cancer compounds.

Consumer guide

Below are some of the more widely studied phytochemicals grouped by the foods they are most concentrated in.

Fruits

Limonene (a monoterpene compound): Best sources: Citrus fruits. How it works: Increases production of enzymes that may break down carcinogens, and stimulates cancer-killing immune cells. Benefits: May help protect against breast cancer. Ellagic acid: Best sources: Grapes, apples, strawberries, and raspberries. How it works: Slows tumor growth by blocking production of enzymes used by cancer cells. Benefits: May prevent carcinogens from damaging a cell's DNA, thus helping prevent the formation of new cancer cells.

Anthocyanin/Proanthocyanin Bioflavonoids (polyphenol compounds): Best sources: Blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, red grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits. It's also available in supplements as bilberry extract and grape-seed extract. How they work: Prevent eye tissue from free radical damage, inhibit the production of prostaglandins that can cause blood clotting, and help the body dispose of potential cancer-causing chemicals. Benefits: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration, heart disease, and some cancers.

Orange, Red, & Dark Green Vegetables & Fruits

Alpha-carotene (a carotenoid): Best sources: Pumpkin, carrots, cantaloupe, kale, yellow corn, and seaweed. Also available in natural carotene supplements. How it works: Slows the growth of cancer cells. Benefits: May reduce risk of lung cancer and boost the immune system.

Beta carotene (a carotenoid): Best sources: Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, spinach, and other leafy greens. Natural beta carotene supplements are also available. How it works: Functions as an antioxidant, protecting LDL lipids from free radical damage. Benefits: May reduce the risk of heart disease, bladder, colon, and skin cancer, as well as stimulate the immune system.

Lycopene (a carotenoid): Best sources: Watermelons, tomatoes, guava, and pink grapefruit. Lycopene is also available in supplement form. How it works: Functions as an antioxidant, protecting the protein, fat, and DNA in cells from free radical damage. Benefits: May reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin (carotenoids):Best sources: Kale; spinach; beet, collard, and mustard greens; and sweet red peppers. How they work: Form a pigment in the eye that filters out damaging forms of light, and function as antioxidants, protecting against cell damage. Benefits: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration (the most common cause of blindness in the elderly). They also may reduce the risk of lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and improve immune response.

Capsaicin: Best sources: Chili peppers--the hottest peppers contain the most capsaicin (also available in supplements). How it works: Impedes carcinogens such as nitrates and cigarette smoke from attaching to cellular material, preventing formation of cancer cells. May also kill bacteria that can cause ulcers. Benefits: Increases circulation and may reduce the risk of lung and other cancers.

Catechin flavonoid (a polyphenol compound): Best sources: Green Tea (also available in supplements). How it works: Functions as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage, and hinders blood platelets from sticking together. Benefits: May help protect against stomach, liver, and lung cancer, and lower cholesterol levels.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables include: Bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, rutabaga, turnip greens, and turnips.

Indoles: Best sources: Cruciferous vegetables. How they work: Stimulate enzymes that diminish the effectiveness of the hormone estrogen, and improve immune response. Benefits: May reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Isothiocyanates: Best sources: Cruciferous vegetables. How they work: Increase production of enzymes that block carcinogens from damaging cells. Benefits: May slow tumor growth and reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Sulforaphane: Best sources: Cruciferous vegetables. How it works: Activates the liver to make enzymes that bind to carcinogens and transport them out of cells. Benefits: Suppresses the development of tumors in animals.

Root Vegetables

Gingerol: Best source: Ginger root (also available in supplements). How it works and the benefits: Increases the production of substances that protect the stomach lining, preventing the formation of ulcers; stimulates gastric activity, causing the stomach to empty more quickly; stimulates the gall bladder, promoting healthy digestion; and helps alleviate nausea caused by pregnancy and motion sickness. To use: Add 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger powder to one cup hot water or tea, or simmer a few slices of fresh ginger root in three cups of water for 10 minutes.

Glycyrrhizin: Best source: Dried licorice root (also available in supplements). How it works: Prevents the conversion of testosterone into a more potent form that may promote the growth of prostate cancer, and stimulates the production of liver enzymes that reduce the level of estrogen. Benefits: Helps prevent breast cancer in animals and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. To use: Use as a stir-stick to flavor your tea, or use one teaspoon of powder in a cup of hot water.

Allyl sulfide (an organo-sulfur compound): Best sources: Garlic or garlic supplements, onions, scallions, leeks, and chives. How it works: Increases the production enzymes that break down potential carcinogens and make them easier to excrete. Benefits: May decrease the risk of stomach and colon cancer, and lower LDL-cholesterol ("bad") levels. Garlic powder or tablets have been found to im-prove immune response.

Beans & Grains

Genistein (an Iso-flavonoid):Best sources: Soybeans and soybean products (miso, tofu, soy milk, tempeh, soy flour), peanuts, mung beans, and alfalfa sprouts. Also available as supplements such as soy protein powders. How it works: Blocks enzymes that turn on cancer genes, and inhibits the growth of new blood vessels around cancer cells that are needed to feed growing tumors. Genistein also blocks the entry of estrogen into cells, possibly deterring breast cancer, and may inhibit the uptake of testosterone in the prostate. Benefits: Its anti-hormonal effects may protect against both breast and prostate cancer. In test tubes, it inhibits the growth of all types of cancer cells, including those in the breast, colon, lung, prostate, skin, and blood (leukemia). Other compounds in soybeans may reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Phytosterols and Saponins: Best sources: Soybeans and dried beans. How they work: Suppress the growth of cancer cells in the large intestine and enhance immunity. Benefits: May slow the development of colon cancer.

Protease inhibitors: Best sources: Soybeans and dried beans. How they work: Prevent the conversion of normal cells into cancerous cells. Benefits: Slow tumor growth.

Phytic acid: Best sources: Grains (oats, rice, rye, wheat) soybeans, peanuts, and sesame seeds. How it works: Binds to iron and carries it out of the body, preventing iron from producing cancer-causing free radicals. Benefits: May reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Aphrodisiac Foods To Stimulate Your Erogenous Zones

Lately, more and more people are interested in bringing natural and alternative methods of staying healthy into their daily routine. We believe that living in a state of wellness includes physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual fitness. Sure losing weight and getting in shape will boost your ego and sexual prowess, but what about eating your way to better sex?

Over the last few centuries a variety of foods and herbs have been recognized for their abilities to stir the libido as well as their resemblance to body parts. This aroused our interest to investigate the facts and myths surrounding food and erotic stimulation.Named after the Greek Goddess of Love Aphrodite, an aphrodisiac is something that arouses or intensifies your sexual desire. The actual stimulant can take a variety of forms: food, herbs, beverages, drugs, scents or devices. Oysters, the most commonly known food aphrodisiac, are high in zinc, which is needed for vaginal lubrication and testosterone production. Chocolate, dubbed the 'food of the gods' by the Aztecs, contains phytochemicals that help increase blood flow and produce endorphins.

Although scientific evidence to support the relationship between food and sexual vigor is sparse, we found a wealth of folkloric information on the subject. One of our favorite and most quoted sources used to prepare this article comes from InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook, created by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge (Terrace Publishing). We?d like to thank the authors and photographer, Ben Fink for sharing the contents of what we hope will add more spice and delight to your love life.

Common Aphrodisiacs	Origin/History and Physical Properties
Banana	Considering the size and shape of this fruit ? need we say more? A popular aphrodisiac, bananas are also rich in potassium and B vitamins, which help improve circulation.
Chocolate (cacao bean)	Chocolate was so highly praised by the Aztecs that they celebrated the cacao bean harvest with wild orgies. Chocolate contains PEA, a substance known for abilities to create a feeling of euphoria by stimulating endorphin production.
Ginseng	Research has shown that ginseng stimulates and increases endocrine activity and relaxes the central nervous system, which could lead to heightened sexual response.
Honey	Ancient Egyptian medicines often included honey because it was believed to cure sterility and impotence. It?s also prized for its sweet, succulent and smooth texture.
Oysters	Some prize the oyster for its visual resemblance to key body parts; others have a passion for the raw sensuality of consuming them from the shell. Oysters are rich in protein and low in fat so they won?t slow you down in the bedroom. They are also filled with zinc, which is crucial to testosterone production.
Wine	Wine has been thought to ?arouse erections? and relax inhibitions but if you drink too much it will inhibit your desires and put you to sleep.
Herbs & Spices	Origin/History and Physical Properties
Anise	Spicy and sweet, anise seed is the flavor prevalent in most of today?s black licorice. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed anise increased your sexual desire ? most likely due to the fact that is it emotionally uplifting and stimulating.
Basil	The Haitians claim this herb came from their Goddess of Love, Erzulie. Women of ancient cultures sprinkled their breasts with pulverized basil to keep a husband?s roving eyes in check.
Chiles & Hot Spices	Have you ever considered your body?s reaction to eating hot peppers and spicy foods ? increased blood flow, pumping heart rate, flushed flesh and sweaty pores? Oddly similar to what you may experience during an impromptu roll in the hay.
Coriander	Coriander, the seed of the Cilantro plant, is said to stimulate the ?sexual appetite.? There is a story in the Arabian Nights of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years and was cured by a concoction that included coriander.
Garlic	Traditionally known as a cure-all, the warmth of garlic is also reported to arouse sexual intentions.
Ginger	Sweet, spicy and exotic in flavor, eating ginger also excites the circulatory system.
Licorice	Ancient Chinese medicines have included licorice, which is thought to enhance love and lust (Anise, Fennel Seed)
Nutmeg	This highly prized spice is considered by Chinese women to be an aphrodisiac, yet too much can produce a hallucinogenic effect.
Rosemary	Choose a perfume or candle with the unique, woodsy scent of rosemary to heighten awareness and produce feelings of clarity and confidence in your lover. Warning: You may experience powerful lovemaking. Torn pieces of a fresh baguette dipped into rosemary infused olive oil enliven the palate as well.
Vanilla	Lust is believed to be the result of just the scent or flavor of vanilla.
Vegetables	Origin/History and Physical Properties
Artichokes	Guarded by thorny leaves, the soft meat of this vegetable plays hard to get, as do many lovers, making the eating experience all the more enticing and playful.
Asparagus	The phallic shape is this vegetable?s most apparent sensual property, but it?s also packed with hormone-stimulating nutrients: potassium, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin E.
Leeks	Similar in texture yet milder in flavor to garlic and onions, leeks can produce feelings of warmth and arouse sexual desire.
Fruits	Origin/History and Physical Properties
Figs	Soft, plump and delicious, the pinkish-red flesh of a fresh fig has been said to stir desire for what lies above the inner thighs of a woman. Fresh figs can be enjoyed from June to October.
Grapes	Envision a scantily clad Roman woman feeding her man a grape and you will know why this plump, juicy fruit is considered to be an aphrodisiac. Try the seedless variety for maximum enjoyment.
Mango	An exotic, luscious, and sexy fruit! Bite into the bright orange flesh and let the juice run down your chin. Mangoes are also packed with antioxidants.
Raspberries	A healthy food you can hand feed your lover, raspberries are high in vitamin C, which arouses blood flow and promotes good circulation.
Strawberries	Nutritionally, they are loaded with vitamin C, which helps with blood flow and circulation. Erotic literature often describes these sweet and tart berries as fruit nipples. Try them dipped in chocolate for a double dose of aphrodisiac.
Miscellaneous	Origin/History and Physical Properties
Coffee	Coffee is well known for its ability to stimulate the body and the mind if you need to prepare for an ?all-nighter.? But serve in small amounts because excessive intake of caffeine can inhibit libido.
Pine nuts	Pine nuts have a rich buttery flavor and are also high in zinc. They have been believed to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.