Natural Aphrodisiacs - A Valentine's Day Special!

My friends often ask me questions about how to spice up their love life and increase libido. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, here is my top list of natural aphrodisiacs!

Aphrodisiacs are named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Aphrodisiacs are known to increase sexual desire based not only on their chemical properties, but also on their physical properties - color, texture, smell, taste, shape, and how they appeal to our senses.

Most of the items listed below have not been proven by research or studies to be effective, but have been linked to years of story-telling and successful practice by experts in Alternative Medicine.

1. Bananas

 During ancient times in Central America, the sap of the red banana was considered as the "elixir of love" and was often presented to a newly married couple on their first night together. Interestingly Hindus (both past and present) often use bananas during wedding rituals and ceremonies as a symbol of love, sweetness, and fertility. Bananas are mixed in a drink with milk and honey, which Indian newlyweds feed to one another on the first night of marriage as a means of enhancing the sexual experience.

In addition to its suggestive shape, bananas are rich in Potassium and Vitamin B which are vital in the production of sex hormones.

2. Ginger

Ginger’s aphrodisiac qualities have been endorsed by the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides; a citation in Arabia’s "A Thousand and One Nights", and Italy’s famed University of Salerno medical school where it was prescribed as a rule for happy life in old age-“eat ginger, and you will love and be loved as in your youth.” 

Ginger is known to stimulate the circulatory system through vasodilation of blood vessels. These "vasodilatory" effects allow increased blood flow to all sexual organs, which is important for maintenance of erection and achieving orgasm. In ayurvedic medicine, ginger is also used to prevent heart disease and high cholesterol. 

     3. Honey

    Honey is one of the oldest known aphrodisiacs, and dates as far back as 500 B.C. Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine", prescribed honey as a cure for impotence and increased sexual drive. In ancient Persia, people drank mead (honey wine) every day for a month (which is where the term "honeymoon" comes from) to ensure a lifetime of happiness and fertility.  Honey is rich in Vitamin B and boron which are important components of testosterone and estrogen respectively.

    4.  Oysters

Legend states that the great lover, Casanova, would eat more than 50 raw oysters for breakfast, which is how he maintained his sex drive and "manliness".  Interestingly, a research study performed at the NIH on animal models demonstrated that injecting the amino acids - D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate-  from mollusks (like oysters) showed an increase in testosterone (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone) production. 

Oysters are also high in zinc, which is necessary for sperm production. 

5. Chocolate
You knew this one had to make the list! The cocoa bean has been used as an aphrodisiac since the days of Emperor Montezuma in Aztec times. Chocolate has phenylethylamine and serotonin, two chemicals that are known to uplift mood and increase energy. Chocolate also contains theobromine which boosts mood. It's no wonder why so many women rely on chocolate during times of PMS!
Chocolate is rich, smooth, and creamy - which on its own is quite sensual, appealing to every one of our senses. 

6. Licorice

Black licorice has been an aphrodisiac for centuries. In ancient China, people used licorice to enhance love and lust. In Roman times, licorice was fed to the military troops prior to battle to increase their stamina.  

The smell of licorice also appears to be particularly stimulating. Alan R. Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, researched into how different smells stimulate sexual arousal. He found that "the smell of black licorice increased the blood flow to the penis by 13 percent."

Licorice root extract is believed to have some estrogen-like properties and people actually use this to treat symptoms related to menstruation (i.e. abdominal cramps, bloating, irregular bleeding) and menopause (i.e. hot flashes, headaches). It is also believed that chewing on licorice root, can lead to an increased sexual vigor.

7.   Papaya

    The green papaya (which is unripened) is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Papaya has estrogenic properties which can boost female libido. It is an excellent source of vitamins C, A, K, as well as folate and Potassium - which are all important for a healthy reproductive system and sex hormone development.

In my opinion what truly will make the best impact on your sexual health and libido, are eating whichever foods make YOU feel healthy and beautiful. Once you feel good inside and on the outside.. it will automatically reflect in your personality, uplift your mood, and help you build confidence in and out of the bedroom.

I hope you all enjoy your Valentine's Day! 

As always, please email all questions to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com

**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**