Food and sex tend to dominate the human mindset so it’s not much of a surprise that you can eat certain natural aphrodisiac foods to boost your libido. In the spirit of all things love and romance, what better way to get in the mood than through food. The science around these natural aphrodisiac foods is inconclusive as most reports are anecdotal or stem from folklore. That said, it doesn’t hurt to try and if nothing else add nutrients and flavour to your dish!
What are natural aphrodisiacs?
A natural aphrodisiac is something that is defined as having an impact on your libido and sex drive. The idea behind it is that natural aphrodisiac foods and herbs contain certain nutrients that stimulate hormones testosterone and/or estrogen in both sexes and impact certain neuro-hormones like dopamine and serotonin that lift us up with the feel-good factor.
Below you will find a list of 10 foods that belong to a group of natural aphrodisiacs. This list is not exclusive but it will give you some nice ideas to show your love this Valentine’s Day and impress your partner.
Natural Aphrodisiac Foods:
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Oysters
I think if I asked you to think of one example, you would shout this out first. Yes, oysters have a long-standing reputation for being the king of aphrodisiac foods. The goddess of love herself, Aphrodite, is described as having appeared from an oyster-shaped clam shell! Oysters contain zinc which is needed to boost testosterone production as well as amino acids that supposedly boost serotonin.
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Chili Pepper
Adding a little bit of heat can only be a good thing when it comes to boosting sex drive and that’s exactly what the capsaicin in chili does. The result: racing heart rate, increased blood flow and a release of endorphins to get you in the mood. Just please remember to thoroughly wash your hands after use!
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Chocolate
Chocolate contains certain components that boost the serotonin in your brain and thus can enhance your sex drive. Good quality chocolate contains many nutritious components like magnesium (for relaxation), phenylthylamine (PEA) to stimulate your sex hormones and cacao to boost the endorphins. Sinful and sweet, this rich food has long been associated with fertility, seduction and love.
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Ginseng
This herb has a good reputation for helping to aid with erectile dysfunction by relaxing the muscles and aiding blood flow to the major organs. Naturally, if you help this problem, the result is increased arousal!
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Pomegranates
This beautiful fruit is full of love, if just by the deep red colour! Including these wonderful antioxidant-rich gems in your salads is said to boost blood flow and with it increase sensitivity. Juicy, plump, fleshy.
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Red Wine
No real surprise here but adding a glass or two of the deep red stuff is a perfect to get you in the mood. The alcohol (in small amounts) will stimulate that part of your brain responsible for your sex drive. In addition, you’ll feel relaxed and more confident which will only help spark the senses and get you in the mood.
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Ginger
Warming, anti-inflammatory and good for your digestion, this Asian spice has a long history that now rates is as also a natural aphrodisiac. Believed to improve circulation and warm the body, it’s no surprise that this spice can invigorate the senses and drive you to complete and utter submissiveness.
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Vanilla
Known as the nectar of the Gods, vanilla is sensual, calming and exotic with a sweet aroma guaranteed to get you in the mood. Right through the ages, from the Mayans and Aztecs to the Orient right through to the modern day have been captivated by the sweet, alluring aroma. Vanilla is said to have a euphoric effect on the brain, improve circulation and calm the central nervous system.
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Maca
This root vegetable is commonly associated with treating fertility and hormonal imbalance, especially in women. Try adding it to your porridge, smoothie or even hot chocolate. It has a mild sweetness to it and comes rich in a chemical called sterol, a precursor to sex hormones. Get the blender out quick!
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Ginko Biloba
Perhaps new to you, this one is for the men. Ginko Biloba is a unique species of tree grown in China and used for over 1500 years for a range of medicinal purposes. It improves libido by improving circulation and blood flow to all the major organs. In males, this means more blood to that key ‘love making’ area. Ginko Biloba extract is also used to help with easing stress, mild depression and anxiety as well as being rich in antioxidants that improve vigour and vitality all supporting a healthy sex life.
So there you have it: ten ideas that you can take and get creative with this Valentine’s Day. And a final parting thought from us is that you don’t forget that following a whole food diet and exercise programme will do wonders for your health and your confidence which can only boost your love life year around, not just February!
Happy Valentine’s Day.
