Aphrodisiacs

It's the day of old love, new love. Valentine’s Day came to be by Saint Valentine in AD 269 who was persecuted for marrying soldiers who were forbidden to be wed.

Before Saint Valentine and much of Christianity came to be in BC mythology was a popular belief. Mythology contained stories of gods and supernatural heroes that all represented and controlled human actions or nature.

Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. While Greek and Roman mythology is still studied today, it is rare to find true believers. However we have molded certain theories and words from the mythological times.

One such word is aphrodisiac which comes from the goddess, Aphrodite. Aphrodisiacs are any type of action, trait, or food that excites or creates a desire within the body.

According to Reader’s Digest the top ten aphrodisiacs foods are avocados, bananas, chili peppers, honey, pine nuts, figs, arugula, oysters, coffee and the number one is chocolate. While none of these foods have one specific chemical they all have been found to stimulate the production of hormones and positively affect our libidos.

Aphrodisiacs foods usually take on a “feel good” sensation such as chocolate or bananas, but they can also make the body feel hot which is why chili peppers makes it into the top ten. This “feel good” sensation leads to a more energized mood and leaves the body with an overall light feeling, without the constant stresses and anxiety that can plague our minds today. Most foods can become aphrodisiacs because of the way they symbolize procreation, love, or simply sexuality.

Miri Rotkovitz, who studied Nutrition and Food at NYU, comments on how ginger is not a commonly talked about aphrodisiac, but creates a “warm woodsy” aroma that stimulates the blood flow. Another rare aphrodisiac is saffron, a spice that has made its way from Cleopatra to relax and boost the mind.

All the way from the Incans came Maca root that is considered one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs. Maca root not only possesses high levels of vitamins, minerals, and iron, but also holds healing powers that the natives of the Peruvian Andes have found beneficial in their high elevation. Maca root helps to decrease anxiety and stress, while increasing energy and stamina.

A famous aphrodisiac that is warned against using for the cause of inflammation, convulsions, and even death is the Spanish fly. This beetle creates a juice called cantharidin. The Spanish fly was crushed and used to create a powder that was thought to arouse and bring on a sexual sensation that was later found out to be nothing more than a burning in the urinary tract. Although it was found to be toxic, this powder is still available today, most commonly sold in a form of pepper.

Although aphrodisiacs commonly are associated with foods, they can also be traits such as respect that creates a mutual bond or an action like getting in shape. These both are positive aphrodisiacs that help to decrease stress and increase healthy endorphin levels that create a feeling of well-being.

Enjoy the chocolate, add the maca root in a smoothie, respect those around you, go for a walk, and stay away from the Spanish fly. Don’t wait another day to love because life is too short to be filled with doubt and stress. Enjoy the sensations and experiences that come your way because at the end of the day, the greatest aphrodisiac is love and the breaths we are given each day to do so.