FOOD FOR SEX !

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Spice up your sex life! (Getty Images) The love affair between food and sex has been a long and torrid one. Known to complement each other, a lot has been said on the use of food in the game of love. From delicious delicacies to entice the lover to fooling around with juicy succulent fruits during the act of love, food can play an important role in spicing up your sex life. In ancient times certain food items were thought to have the power of improving the sexual life of an individual, increase the sexual drive and even cure problems of fertility and sexual dysfunction. These food items were identified as aphrodisiac food, i.e. foods that have the power to boost the libido and ensure that one had a good time. The word Aphrodisiac which comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, means any form of stimulation that can lead to sexual arousal. . Though it may surprise many to hear that food can act as aphrodisiacs, this extract from the 'Encyclopedia Britannica' should corroborate it, "...the psycho physiological reaction that a well-prepared meal can have upon the human organism. The combination of various sensuous reactions - the visual satisfaction of the sight of appetizing food, the olfactory stimulation of their pleasing smells and the tactile gratification afforded the oral mechanism by rich, savory dishes - tend to bring on a state of general euphoria conducive to sexual expression." Food items that by nature represented seed or semen such as bulbs and eggs were considered to have inherent sexual powers. Some other kind of food items were considered stimulating because of their physical resemblance to the genitalia. This ancient belief still carries much weight in these modern times, where the power of food in sex has not been underestimated. However, when one thinks of food and sex one naturally associates it with food items that carry a feeling of excitement, that are exotic and refreshing. Juicy red strawberries, freshly whipped cream, thick dark chocolate or oysters and caviar are the images that immediately jump into the mind. But not once would one imagine that the most common, boring everyday food items would have any power to excite us leave alone create any sexual thrill. But surprises of all surprises you don't have to go hunting for some exotic and expensive fruits or spices to get your aphrodisiacs. Just check your vegetable basket at home and you'll find all your ingredients for erotic stimulation. Here's a take on this angle : Cloves : If you thought they were good enough as mouth-fresheners only, think again. Cloves are the most powerful natural aphrodisiacs and are also effective against mental and physical fatigue. So the next time your partner complains of being tired when you are in the mood, just feed him/her some cloves. Ginger : They don't just add flavour to your dishes, but can also excite your senses. It has been used in drinks and when taken in reasonable doses, it can cause healthy hot flashes. Garlic : The thought of a garlic smelling mouth is hardly a turn-on, but then to get something you need to give up something. The heat in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. So the next time your partner stuffs your dish with garlic, you know what is playing on their mind. Tomatoes : Now we know why this vegetable is a must in almost all Indian dishes. Our ancestors surely knew what they were doing when they made all those recipes. Tomatoes have been associated with goddesses Venus and Aphrodite. Paired with other sensual flavours like, basil and mint they can create a lot of heat and passion. Coriander : They can not only spice up your curries but also your sex life. Dried coriander seeds have an euphoric effect especially on women. So the next time you go vegetable shopping don't forget to stock up some extra coriander. Onion : Remember how widows in ancient India were asked to refrain from using onion and garlic in their food. Well, with the kind of lives these women were expected to lead they couldn’t afford to have their sexual desires kindled. In France, centuries ago, newlyweds were fed onion soup on their wedding day to restore their sexual energy. Horseradish : If you like ‘muli-ke parathe’ you are in luck. Feed your physical and sexual hunger with this vegetable. The pulp of horseradish is said to have aphrodisiac properties. Carrots : Well, here's an excuse to have another bowl of ‘gajar ka halwa’. This phallus shaped vegetable is said to be a stimulant for men. In ancient Middle Eastern royalty they were used to aid seduction. Bananas : Who would have thought that this fruit, so commonly available round the year, would have such properties? Your humble ‘kela’, is much more than a nutritious fruit. The banana flower with its phallic shape is partially responsible for its popularity as an aphrodisiac food. Banana is also rich in potassium and vitamin B which are a necessity for sex hormone production. Grapes : This is one fruit which has often figured as food of love. Pictures of lovers teasing and feeding each other with grapes are quite common. But now we know why. Related to Dionysus, wine and fertility, grapes have long been considered the food of Gods. Saffron : Often used as a flavour in many Indian sweet dishes, these orange flakes, better known in India as ‘kesar’ has stimulating effects on the erogenous zones. Studies have proven that saffron has the same effect as hormones. So you see, getting yourself or your partner into the right mood is not that difficult or expensive. While scented candles, massage oils and caviar are always a welcome treat, for the not-so-special occasions you can give always peep into your refrigerator or your vegetable basket for some help. (These are some of the common non-medical aphrodisiacs that we came across on the net. However, none of these have been medically proven to have aphrodisiacal properties!)