Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes -

26 July 2005

Love Drugs  

Sarah Hudson reveals the A to Z of aphrodisiacs, purely for the purposes of research, of course.

What better time than mid-winter to snuggle up to your partner and stroke the coals of passion.

To help you in your endeavours, Health and Fitness asked the experts about the good, bad and just plain silly in aphrodisiacs.

Mecical writer Dr James Wright says aprodisiacs can be both fact and fiction.

"Obviously medical aphrodisiacs work, like viagra, and there are some alternative ones that have a certain effect," he says."Some have a placebo effect-you think they'll work so they do."But basically, when it comes to aphrodisiacs, use your common sense."

He says if a person has a reduced libido, first visit a doctor."It is vital to have a check up because it may point to something like diabetes because 50 percent of diabetes have a reduced libido.

"People with high blood pressure and who are on certain medications are also prone to a reduced libido, as people are on sedatives and tranquillisers."

Nutritionist Catherine Saxelby says there are vitamins and minerals to get the action rolling."I think aphrodisiacs have as much to do with environment they're taken in as to what you're actually eating," she says.

A. Aspragus. Saxelby says legend has it that the pungent odor asparagus creates in the bladder resembles a cat on heat. More seriously, the food is packed with potassium, phosphorous, calcium and vitamin E needed for healthy hormone production.

B. Bananas are an important source of B6 which helps the synthesis of the chemical, epinephrine, which plays a role in sexual perfromance.

C. Chocolate is believed to cause the same chemical reaction in our bodies as falling in love. Saxelby says it contains phenylethylamine, the so called love chemical as well as theobromine and caffine, stimulants that act as pick me ups. Added to this, the sugar in chocolate increases levels of serotonin, which has a calming effect. "Eating pleasurable foods also releases endorphins in the brain, which make you feel better."

D. Diet. A healthy diet gives us the energy to maintain ourselves at the height of our sexual potential, Saxelby says."Smoking affects performance, as does drinking excessively, possibly leading to "brewers droop'".

E. Excercise gives you energy, makes you feel better and minimises illness, stress and fatigue. "Exercise converts fat stores into glucose which fuels muscles and raises metabolism, making us have more energy and feel warm," she says. "Intense exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good about yourslef."

F. Fo Ti is a Chinese herb said to increase desire. Allegedly named after a childless 58-year old man who took the potion and fathered 130 children.

G. Ginkgo. Wright says that a study published in the Journal of Urology shows ginkgo, a herb, helps men with errection problems.

H. Wright says hypnotherapy, with the use of imagery, is used to remove from the mind sub-concious problems assocaited with sexual difficulties.

I. Iodine - vital for energy and essential to the tjryoid, which regulated metabolism. Deficiencies can weaken the sex drive.

J. Jasmine, as essential oil, acts as a natural stimulant. Use in a burner or in a bath.

K. Kava kava, a relaxant helps with nervous tension and stress and is believed to act as a stimulant.

L. Licorice contains plant oestrogens and boost hormone production. But a warning - too much has a laxative effect.

M. Mushrooms-particularly magic mushrooms for their hallucinogenic powers -have long been credited with stoking the fires of passion.

N. Nutmeg, says Saxelby has a smell meant to drive people nuts. The fragrance, rather than the taste, acts as a stimulant.

O. The most renowned aphrodisiac, oysters, are the single highest source of zinc, Saxelby says. "Apart from bones, zinc is vital for prostate and semen. Men whoare deficient in the mineral are oftern impotent," she says." "It's presumed that if a little is good, a lot must be great. No one know how much should be eaten."

Legend has it they were a favorite of the womaniser, Casanova.

P. Not a food and not a herb, P stands for power, described as the greatest aphrodisiac, as demonstrated by the likes of Monica Lewinsky.

Q. Quince has more historical, then scientific roots. It was dedicated by the Greeks to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and when eaten at weddings is said to promote happiness.

R. The root of ginseng, found in tonics, teas, tablets or self-made infusions has an alleged ability to increase sexual power. "There's a group of chemicals called ginsenosides that are meant to act as an aphrodisiac. But ginseng could also be one of those shape foods. It's got an exotic look," Saxelby says.

S.Smells or pheromones, says Wright are, are our individual smells and are a powerful sexual lure. The armpit is meant to be one of the most alluring areas of the body.

T. Tomato soup. In rural France, it is used to be the practice for the honeymoon couple to drink a bowl of tomato soup before going to bed. It is supposedly still regarded as a powerful utility aid. Also in France, French truffles are said to make "women more yeilding and more admirable".

U. Unicorn root, a North American plant, is recognised as a powerful uterine tonic and combats female sterility.

V. Vitamin E for many years was called the sexual vitmain, Saxelby says. "Studies on experimental animals showed that if deprived of vitamin E they would become sterile. People them surmised if you have more it will increase sexual performance."

W. Withania, a herb, either chewed or taken in powder form, is said to help male fertility problems.

X. Xanthium spinosum, a southern European plant is used for treating a range of problems, from combatting a fear of water to raising poor libido.

Y. Research into wild yams, says Saxelby has found a potent form of chemcial resembling female oestrogen. Whether it acts as an aphrodisiac, though, is questionable.

Z. Zinc -essential for active sperm production and hormone metabolism. Even a mild deficiency lowers testosterone levels. Found in oysters amd yoghurt.