The Food of Love: The Most Effect Aphrodisiacs!

There are a few things in life that some people will swear to, while others shake their heads in disbelief. For starters: horoscopes getting it right, Oasis making a decent album again, Feng Shui having an impact on your life and even those who argue that sex is purely physical and not mental...

Well is it possible that aphrodisiacs have some merit and actually can get you in the mood for a bit of what you really fancy? What defines an aphrodisiac is difficult to say, but checking with Wikipedia to see where we stand with modern day solutions tells us;

'Anti-erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra and Levitra, are not considered aphrodisiacs because they do not have any direct effect on the brain, although increased ability to attain an erection may be interpreted as increased sexual arousal by users of these drugs.'

So in other words - nope, that is just cheating! And the same can be said for a bit of Dutch courage:

'Some psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis, methaqualone, GHB and MDMA can increase libido and sexual desire. However these drugs are not aphrodisiacs in the strict sense of the definition, as they do not consistently produce aphrodisiac effects as their main action. However, these drugs are sometimes used to increase sexual pleasure and to reduce sexual inhibition'

Okay kids, now we have that sorted let's move on to the good stuff - all natural ingredients that will apparently get you in the mood!

Incase you didn't know an aphrodisiac is something that arouses you or intensifies sexual desires. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. There are a few well known ones; here our are favourites:

• Asparagus: Three courses of asparagus were served to 19th century bridegrooms due to its reputed aphrodisiacal powers.

• Banana: Not just for the obvious shape, you smutty thing! Actually some studies show its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.

• Caviar: It's high in zinc, which stimulates the formation of testosterone, maintaining male functionality.

• Chocolate: Contains both a sedative which relaxes and lowers inhibitions and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. It was actually banned from some monasteries centuries ago.

• Figs: Seasonal crops were celebrated by ancient Greeks in a frenzied copulation ritual.

• Ginseng: Increases desire for physical contact... (grrr)

• Oysters: Some oysters repeatedly change their sex from male to female and back, giving rise to claims that the oyster lets one experience the the masculine and feminine sides of love.

Others that spring to mind are strawberries, garlic, cherries and honey (apparently that is where the term 'honeymoon' comes from), but there is no scientific proof that any of them will directly improve your mojo. It does seem that most aphrodisiacs are good for you and the type of food you don't have very often, it could be why it gets some people in the mood. Perhaps healthy equals horny? Or maybe it is the way you serve the dish...

Feeding your play-thing can be fun (make sure they have manners first or it will just get plain ugly). A fun way of playing with all the senses is blindfolding and then testing exactly what works. We say ignore science and even common sense and get stuck in!