The Aphrodisiac: A Spicy and True Valentine

by Laura Lamun

People always ask me if "aphrodisiacs" really work. I always say YES. The biggest sex organ in the body is the mind - soothe that into pleasure and you are well on your way to Heaven. So even if the herbs or foods you experiment with don't seem very strong, or don't produce a drug-like sensation, don't despair - the suggestion alone is worth 30% of the action. Scientists have proven that the placebo effect is roughly 30% - hence the first essential aphrodisiac; expect these suggestions to work, think positive, sensual thoughts - stimulate the brain and see what follows. Foods, herbs, pleasing scents, lighting, fabrics, and beverages - there are many ways to explore the potential of this category.

That said, here is a list of foods generally considered to excite the senses. Plan an entire menu around these foods for a special evening sure to arouse. Prepare the food to be eaten with fingers, or fed to each other, or served in bed on particularly beautiful dishes with edible flowers. Use candles and scent the air with incense or essential oils to set a mood, remembering the mind/body connection.

Honey, rose petals, tangerines, vanilla, pumpkin pie, cocoa, pomegranates, spicy foods like curries and chili dishes, horseradish, mustards, sweet potatoes, lobster and most shellfish (oysters especially), fish, lean meat, eggs, yeast, grapes, onions & garlic, avocados, artichokes, and foods that resemble the sex organs. This principle is called the Doctrine of Signatures, and states that herbs resembling body parts are ideally suited to them. Therefore - bananas, carrots, cucumbers, asparagus, dates, passion fruits, and coconuts, edible flowers - you get the idea. Also remember to use super foods like Spirulina and Royal Jelly - the latter fed to the Queen Bee in order to entice her to have intercourse up to 2,000 times a day.

In Tantric traditions, wine is always used with food as an exciting precursor to intimate contact. I also suggest teas that can have profound effects- Unitea Herbs Sensualitea, Traditional Medicinals Good Mood Tea, or make your own Stimulating Potion using equal quantities of red wine and fruit juice or cider, in which you steep cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange peels, rose petals, 1/2 oz. Kava kava extracts, a small handful of Damiana, grated nutmeg, honey, and ginger - and add 1 drop of essential oil of Ylang-Ylang or Tangerine before serving. Also - 3 drops of essential oil of Ylang-Ylang in a bottle of champagne is succulent and delightfully effective.

There are a variety of terrific herbs that will surprise you with their sensation-enhancing effects. Generally taken in hot spicy teas, extracts or capsule, each herb has its special skills. Combinations I have found effective are LoveCaps for Men & Women by Crystal Star, the small but fun Kava Drink from Drinks That Work, and Damiana Supreme Extract by Gaia. {These are safe when used in moderation, like all things. Be sure you are not allergic to any of these items. There are lots of great herb books in the health food stores and library - utilize them and learn more about all these herbs that will become your new friends. }

Damiana, ginseng, poppy, cardamom, anise, asafoetida, basil, cayenne, saffron, rosemary, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ephedra, fo-ti, guarana, hemp, wild lettuce, wormwood, yarrow, yohimbe, nutmeg, sassafras, saw palmetto, horsetail, kava kava, muira puama, gingko, parsley, licorice and peppers are all worth researching.

Essential Oils that are terrific for using in massage oils (always dilute - 10 drops per 1 oz. of carrier oil), fragrant baths, candle diffusers, in a pot of hot water on the stove, thrown by drops onto a woodstove, sprayed around the room or sprinkled on the sheets, include: cardamom, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cinnamon, ylang-ylang (releases anger and soothes the heart), tangerine, nutmeg, frankincense, calamus, vanilla, and sassafras. DO NOT use lavender or marjoram in the bedroom, as they have Anaphrodisiac properties and will shut down desire!

I hope you enjoy exploring the wild and invigorating world of aphrodisiacs! Email me your ideas and results!