Food and Sex Revisited

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Love foods, also known as aphrodisiacs, have been around for centuries. The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. Love foods are foods that get you in the mood.

Now, although there is no conclusive evidence that any food is an aphrodisiac, many of us love diehards continue to argue that there is such a thing. Regardless, what the final verdict is ... it’s amazing what one can do with the power of imagination.

Here are just a few love foods which you may want to try out and if you already have, perhaps next time you’ll experience them in a different light.

Caution: These foods may improve your love life!

CELERY - Celery contains the hormone, androsterone, a hormone that is naturally produced in males, and apparently stimulates arousal in women.
ONION - Thousands of years ago in France, newlyweds were served bowls of onion soup on their wedding day to restore their sexual energy.
RADISH - The radish was a divine aphrodisiac used by Egyptian pharaohs … thought to stimulate the palate.
ASPARAGUS - Asparagus is the zodiac love food for Capricorns. In the 19th century, bridegrooms would often eat up to three servings of asparagus because of its aphrodisiacal powers.
BANANA - Aside from its phallic shape, a banana is lush and creamy. The fruit also contains an enzyme called bromelain which is said to enhance male performance.
GRAPES- Grapes are the love food for the zodiac sign Sagittarius. Whenever I see grapes, it conjures up the picture of Cleopatra stretched out on her day bed being fed by Marc Antony and other lovers.
ORANGE - Oranges are the love food for Aquarians.
PEAR - Pears are the love food for those born under the sign of Gemini.
HONEY - Honey has been connected with love, sex, and sexuality since the days of the Bible. It is said that Attila the Hun drank himself to death with honey on his honeymoon.
VANILLA - Vanilla is considered to have aphrodisiacal powers. It is often found in beauty products, perfumes, and oils because of its aromatic properties.
CHILI PEPPERS & BLACK PEPPER - Spicy foods are often associated with aphrodisiacal qualities because they stimulate our nerve endings, causing our heart rate to increase and body to sweat … similar to the feelings we experience before and during lovemaking.
GARLIC - Garlic was used as an aphrodisiac by the Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, and Japanese. The fact is garlic makes food tastier, increases our appetite, and leaves us with an overall good feeling.
PINE NUTS, ALMONDS, PUMPKIN SEEDS - Pumpkin seeds and other nuts are the love food for the zodiac sign Libra. The pine nut has been used for centuries to make love potions and is often referred to as the kernel of love. One love potion remedy included drinking a glass of honey with 20 almonds and 100 pine nuts. Something one would supposedly see on an episode of the reality TV show Survivor.
CHOCOLATE - Did you know that Casanova adored chocolate?

To many, chocolate has a sensuous taste. Chocolate is the love chemical. Besides containing a stimulant phenylethylamine, I’ve read that it also contains an ingredient that is similar to that of an extremely mild sedative, hence relaxing and lowering one’s inhibitions.

Here's an interesting story. Legend has it that Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, drank 50 cups of chocolate each day in order to satisfy his harem of 600 women. And they say we women love chocolate!

Food, an aphrodisiac? You don’t have to convince me. But if you’re still not convinced, why not take a moment and reflect on what H.L. Mencken has to say about love:

 

"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence."

So, what's going to be on your menu tonight?

____________________________

Leona Hamel is a Romance Agent, speaker, coach and author of The ABC’s of Tease and Please - A Romance Handbook, as well as a contributing author to A First Serving of Milk and Cookies for Success. Passionate about human connection, Leona works with men and women who want to explore their romantic creativity and experience more passion, fun and success in their life. Visit http://www.romanceunlimited.com for new articles, tips and trivia each month. Don't forget to sign up for LouLou's Love Lesson!

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Food and Sex - An Historical Glimpse

The aphrodisiac properties of certain foods have remained as such, down through history. With the ongoing argument between those who don’t believe there is any such thing and those who do, it strikes me that perhaps the tales of these foods told through the ages is proof enough. A long shelf life seems to indicate there is some modicum of truth to these old foods for sex .

The foods that history has deemed a turn on range from nuts (no inference intended) and animal genitals (total inference intended). Now I don’t know about the reading public, but a night of slippery, hot passion is NOT sufficient reason for me to consume another living thing’s privates. Our scant but interesting list also includes things like onions and oysters (but of course). What would a list of sex food be without oysters? As Johan's Guide to Aphrodisiacs nicely points out, notice that aphrodisiac foods are generally the most expensive. It goes on to say that any lover who would go to the expense to feed you caviar may just tweak your libido with this show of love. Some of these foods you may not see as a sexual teaser and believe me, nor do I. Let’s examine some of them and perhaps you’ll be cooking dinner in a whole different frame of mind.

The French poet Paul Verlaine is said to have opened the absinthe craze in the bohemian subculture in France. An extract from the Wormwood plant, absinthe was seen as the exotic and erotic tonic of the era because of its tie with intellectuals and the art community. Thujon, an ingredient found in absinthe was commonly used in well measured doses for intestinal worms, but used as a beverage and consumed in quantity, the side effects can be devastating; including blindness and nerve injury.

Lately Absinthe has been gaining resurgence in gothic subcultures around North America. It is once again being distilled despite its illegality and health risks. It is seen as the drink of the Victorian era, although its use is France of the era was far more extensive. Outlawed there in 1915, it is now illegal in most European countries because of its high addictive properties and toxic constitution.

Onions are a common health remedy for ill health and a weak libido. Although, the foul breath problem may seem a factor, nevertheless onions have been cited from historical Hindu texts on the art of making love. They appear to be the most frequently used in ancient Greece. The Romans rarely ate them without being cooked and usually with meat and other foods. Onions chemically and nutritionally have marvelous health benefits, similar to garlic in their properties of benefit to constitution and blood strength. It would stand to reason that they were eaten and good health was the result and therefore more energy for lusty pursuits.

Oysters are the age old favorite. But today we know that any possible responses from oysters are found in other seafood as well. Seafood contains vitamins and minerals not often found in dry land foods. Nutrients that our bodies are often lacking, so a feel -good result is not uncommon. Add to that the non-stuffed feeling and most people find they have enough energy for a night of lust. According to Johan’s guide, emperors used to pay for them by their weight in gold.

Pine nuts were considered by the Greeks to have libido benefits. Many of the middle eastern dishes include them as a garnish and flavor enhancer. High in natural vitamins, pine nuts are a healthful addition to any diet and that would result in more energy.

Asparagus was believed by the Greeks to have libido enhancing properties. “Quensel states (1809) that asparagus turn men on but women off. Its main action is diuretic; the stimulating effect on the male genitals is a consequence of this.” Johan’s Guide.

Foods producing apparent sexual response are plenty. The list is long. For a complete guide, visit - Johan's Guide to Aphrodisiacs. Sex Scrolls wishes to thank this guide for their information.