When we think of Aphrodisiac foods we tend to think of chocolate and oysters. These are just a few of the many foods that are believed to have certain qualities which may improve libido and physical attraction between lovers. If you eat the foods on this list and give your beloved a Valentine Card, you may open the door to all sorts of possibilities. I wish you fun and laughter and bon appetite.
Valentine's Day is mainly celebrated by lovers and those folks who are in love. Greeting card companies will disagree with me here. You can even find a Valentine from your pet in the card section.
In ancient times certain foods were put into two categories. One category was to increase sex drive and the other was to increase fertility. For the people who lived on the earth back then, nutrition was very important. Being undernourished would cause a loss of libido and directly affect fertility rates. People had a shorter lifespan centuries ago and the world needed more people to populate the nations. More people meant more taxes for nations and more workers to build those nations.
The Greeks were the first to write about food that satisfied nutritional needs. During the middle of the 7th century, Paul of Aegina wrote several medical books that mentioned foods that had definite nutritional purpose. One of his recommendations was that pregnant women should drink red wine. Today's modern medicine does not agree with him.
Foods that were considered beneficial to fertility were ones that represented "seed" such as snails, eggs, and bulbs, like garlic and mustard seeds.
The foods that resembled the parts of the body used for procreation were considered to be stimulating foods. Examples of these foods are the banana, avocado, the fig, and papaya.
I have listed some foods that are rumored to have aphrodisiac properties. I have also shared a recipe using the foods mentioned in this column.
These are just a few popular foods used for their aphrodisiac qualities.
Asparagus, due to the uric acid can alter the urine excreted by the person who eats the vegetable. I personally do not eat this food if there will be anyone sharing my bathroom. The Vegetarian Society recommends eating it for three days for the best results.
Almonds have an aroma thought to induce passion in females. Marzipan, almond paste is a tasty treat.
Arugula greens can be used to make a tasty potent salad.
Avocado resembles the parts of the male and female body used for reproduction. It is a tasty and healthy food. The texture is smooth and creamy.
Bananas are rich in potassium and has B vitamins necessary for hormone production. A good food to increase fertility with the benefit of being good for you.
Broccoli rabe is thought to increase virility. It is loaded with vitamins and good for you so it can't hurt to eat it.
Chocolate is the favorite food of many. Chocolate contains more cancer preventing antioxidants than red wine. If you want a truly decadent treat, drink some red wine with dark chocolate.
Carrots are rumored to stimulate the male. The carrot was used by the Middle Eastern royalty to aid in seduction. Carrots can help you see the object of your desire more clearly. Carrot cake is a great way to get your beta-carotene.
Coffee is a stimulant of the mind and body. It can keep you up all night if you need to stay awake.
Cilantro is an appetite stimulant. In the book Arabian Nights there is a tale of a merchant who was childless for 40 years until he ate coriander.
Garlic has a "heat" property to it said to stimulate certain desires. It is also good to heal many ailments and keep your heart healthy. I use it as a side dish. Perhaps the Italians are on to something here.
Ginger in any form is good for stimulation to the circulatory system. Eat it raw, cooked, candied, and/or in stir fry dishes.
Honey was used as a base in many Egyptian medicines as a cure for impotence and sterility. In Medieval times seducers made a drink from honey called Mead. If drank by lovers on their honeymoon, it was thought to sweeten their marriage.
Mustard was thought to stimulate sexual glands and increase desire. Pass the Poupon please.
Nutmeg was used by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. It has a hallucinogenic effect in large quantities.
Oysters were known to the Romans to cause women to be wanton after eating oysters and drinking red wine. Juvenal mentioned women eating giant oysters in his satire in the second century A.D. Oysters are nutritious and are high in protein. Canned oysters are good for you too.
Pine Nuts contain zinc, which is supposed to be helpful in maintaining male potency. These cute little nuts have been used to stimulate libido from medieval times until now. I love Italian pignoli cookies. Lot's of pine nuts in a soft macaroon cookie. I added a link with a great photo and recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pignoli-cookies-i/detail.aspx
Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C and has been used in homeopathic medicine. Have a glass of pineapple juice to your health.
Strawberries are perfect for feeding your lover. They are shaped like hearts. They are one of the highest vitamin C foods available. They add a special touch to the Lovers Salad recipe below. Serve them with melted chocolate for a treat that will have you licking your lips.
Truffles have a musky scent that is believes to stimulate and make the skin sensitive to the touch. These delicious mushrooms/fungi come in black and white. They are very expensive and found in damp forests. They are highly prized and locations where they are growing are kept secret. I found some wild truffles in the forest in Nevada City a few years ago. I did not tell anyone where I found them. I will return to that spot each year to harvest my little truffle stash. Link to truffles:
http://www.mssf.org/cookbook/truffles.html
Vanilla and the scent of vanilla are rumored to increase lust. There is nothing better than a scoop of good old fashioned vanilla ice cream to get the blood going in your veins. I love the smell of vanilla sugar cookies baking in the oven. I also love to place a vanilla bean in a jar of sugar and use the scented sugar in my coffee or tea.
Wine can relax your inhibitions and make that romantic interlude more enjoyable. Drink too much wine and you can ruin good intentions. Just having a stemmed wine glass in your hand can stimulate your senses. Drink sensibly and enjoy yourself. Red wine has antioxidants and believed to be good for you in moderation.
Recipe for Lovers Salad
| Ingredients needed for Lovers Salad Recipe
1 head of romaine lettuce or 1 romaine
Canned or fresh asparagus spears
¼ cup almonds
1 ripe avocado
1 carrot, sliced in heart shapes
6 strawberries |
| Dressing for Lovers Salad
1 cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Crushed ginger 1 tsp
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 Tblsp honey
1 Tblsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste |
Tear the romaine lettuce in bite size pieces and place on two plates. Slice the avocado and place decoratively on the romaine. Crush the almonds, sprinkle on the salad. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the carrot. Cut carrot in coin size slices. With a sharp knife, cut into heart shaped carrot slices. Arrange heart shaped carrots on the salad in a loving manner. Slice the strawberries and arrange on top of the salad.
Pour the dressing over the top of the salad and serve. Or if you prefer, serve the lettuce alone without dressing. Rose petals optional in the salad. Caution; you may eat the petals; but be certain you are not eating pesticides.
Happy Valentine's Day to all.
