Nature's Naughty Nibbles
Ok, so unless your name is Adonis or Aphrodite, chances are your sex life could do with a bit of help from time to time. Work, finances, kids…all of those things can have a devastating effect on our libidos, so it’s no wonder lust starved lovers are looking for ways to ‘keep up’ their end of the bargain (to coin a phrase) and put the "mo" back in their "jo".
However, not everyone wants to visit the doc and tell him that their get up and go has got up and gone, and those magic blue pills come with a lot of side effects, so we’ve done our research and come up with a whole pantry full of natural aphrodisiacs that will have you raring to go in no time at all!
Pass the Pasta
Actually, it’s not the pasta we’re advocating, but rather that most delicious of herbs – basil. This humble green leaf is renowned for increasing heart rate and blood flow, and when blood flows to the nether regions of either sex, *magic happens*. Add in plenty to those Italian dishes, or tear up a few leaves and sprinkle them on salads, and soon it’ll be ‘Mamma mia’ every night!
Nuts for Your Nuts
Those Italians aren’t renowned for their sexual prowess for nothing – pine nuts are also a great aphrodisiac, and blended together with basil (see above) make a delicious pesto. With their testosterone-boosting properties, these humble nuts are packed full of zinc, which is also essential for endurance and stamina – bonus!
‘Av a go at Avocado
Those millennials might be on to something with their avocado toast, y’know. Much more than an Instagram-worthy dish, this knobbly green fruit is grown on a tree - which, back in the days of the Aztecs, was called the Ahuacuatl, which translates as ‘testicle tree’, because the fruit often hangs in pairs. With high levels of Vitamin E, it is also conducive to youthfulness and energy, both highly conducive to a good sex life.
The World is your Oyster
Naturally, no article about natural aphrodisiacs would be complete without the not-so-humble oyster. But are they really aphrodisiacs? Science says they could well be, due to the presence of two unusual amino acids, which both play a role in the production of hormones. But the erogenous effect can also be put down to the visual and tactile appeal of eating a raw oyster – that slippery, soft feeling on the tongue can spark all kinds of mental images. Add to that the high presence of zinc (of which men lose around 5mg per ejaculation) and it all starts to make sense. However, it was good enough for the 18th century Giacomo Girolamo Casanova, who reportedly ate 50 oysters every morning as he slept his way around Europe, so it’s good enough for us.
Sugar for your Honey
One for the ladies, honey not only tastes delicious, but it also contains a substance, or boron, that is used in the production of estrogen – that oh-so-important component of female sexual desire. Buy organic, and it will also boost testosterone levels too, giving you both a well-deserved boost.
A “choc” to the system
We ALL know that indulging in a gorgeous, decadent bar of chocolate makes us feel good, but did you know why? Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which actually produces the same chemical the brain makes during SEX. C’mon, what better reason is there to eat the stuff?
Aspara-goes
On visual appeal alone, asparagus can be a very sensual food – long and phallic, it’s almost impossible for a woman to eat it without looking suggestive, especially if it’s dripping with melted butter or a creamy sauce ;) However, there is also a scientific reason behind its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Asparagus boosts histamine production, which is a key component for stronger and more frequent orgasms.
Red Red Wine…
Red wine actually DOES go to the head! (Is that what they really were singing about???) Red wine affects the genitals, especially for women. A glass a night increases blood flow and lubrication, and ups sexual desire.
Mother Nature has given us a smorgasbord of delicious foodstuffs that can take that libido up a notch, and with so many on the menu, it’s easy to choose one that appeals to your taste buds.
And if all else fails, try eating them off each other’s naked bodies – guaranteed to work, no matter what’s on the menu! ;)
