Ten Natural Aphrodisiacs That Deliver Health Benefits and Some Heat Between the Sheets
January 11, 2010
The Love Chef
Ten Natural Aphrodisiacs That Deliver Health Benefits and Some Heat Between the Sheets
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With all the financial stresses and quarterly deadlines that tend to bear down on us this time of year, getting in the mood for a little ‘Suki Suki’ can be more challenging than a fifth grader. But, a little foreplay is just what the doctor ordered … or more appropriately, what the chef ordered. A little time spent wisely in the kitchen can actually turn up the heat off the stove.
According to experts, some foods have a direct impact on your sex life, affecting your hormones, brain chemistry and energy and stress levels. While some have psychoactive properties, others can even increase blood flow to the genitals.
Work some of these into the evening’s menu and prepare to knock some boots, sista.
ASPARAGUS. Dating back to the 17th century, scholars have believed that asparagus “stirs up lust in a man and a woman.” Besides its more obvious phallic shape, asparagus is a great source of vitamins A, C, E and B6, potassium, fiber, thiamin and folic acid, which help boost histamine production essential in reaching orgasm in both sexes. Vitamin E is also considered to stimulate production of our sex hormones for a long, healthy sex life.
AVOCADO. The Aztecs thought the fruit resembled testicles when hanging in pairs on trees, Catholic priests in Spain forbade it due to its sexual innuendos and its been used as a remedy for erectile dysfunction in traditional husbandry. Rich in folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium, the avocado has similar histamine-boosting superpowers as asparagus. Its aphrodisiac effect has also been rumored to come from a component named bromocriptine, which in certain conditions, can influence the functioning of certain glands.
DARK CHOCOLATE. The queen of aphrodisiacs, pure chocolate exudes PEA (phenylethylamine), which releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain and helps induce feelings of excitement during orgasm, anandamide, the psychoactive ‘feel-good’ chemical and cacao. Cacao contains tryptophan, which is known to entice a sense of well-being and relaxation. Round two, anyone?
CHILI PEPPERS. Is it getting hot in here? Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which stimulates our nerve endings and evokes physiological responses in our bodies (sweating and increased heart rate) that are reminiscent of sex. Spicy foods are also believed by some to trigger the release of endorphins, body chemicals that give us a natural high essential to lovemaking.
GARLIC. Yes, your breath alone could be a bit of a buzzkill on a first date, but garlic is chock-full of allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow. Garlic is also considered to treat ailments like the common cold and acne due to its anti-bacterial component. Just keep the gum handy.
GINGER. Sprinkle some grated or sliced ginger into an Asian-inspired dish or dessert cake. Gingerroot raw, cooked or crystallized is actually a stimulant to your circulatory system. Ginger also reduces pain and inflammation, provides relief from migraines and menstrual cramps and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of morning sickness.
FIG. Figs became known as an aphrodisiac because of its suggestive shape resembling the female organs. They are packed with amino acids that improve sexual stamina, and its heady sweetness and creamy consistency is said to induce amore. Figs are also an excellent source of potassium and are packing loads of fiber and calcium.
VANILLA. The tantalizing scent of vanilla is said to increase lust and cure male impotency. In 1762, a German physician claimed that 342 impotent men were changed into astonishing lovers from sipping on vanilla decoctions. The aroma of vanilla also triggers the release of serotonin, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter that causes satisfaction. On the nutritional scale, vanillin, the active component of vanilla, is also a powerful antioxidant, while studies have shown the expensive spice to help prevent against cancer and tumors.
Now, get cookin’ gorgeous. And consider wearing nothing under that apron for once.
Taken from: Healthy Bitch Daily which is a daily health and self-interest guide that gets down and dirty with women on nutrition, health, fitness, beauty, environmental and social awareness, and the forward-thinkers that are changing the world we live in. Created by Kim Barnouin- the co-author of New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch – HBD rounds up a team of experts, celebrities and personalities to offer women the tools and resources they need to change their filthy ways and the world around them. www.healthybitchdaily.com
Learn About The Health Benefits of Parsley
January 11, 2010
Learn About The Health Benefits of Parsley
By Russell Cantwell
Health Benefits of Parsley
Although most of us think of it as a simple garnish, herbalists and other traditional healers believe that the benefits of parsley are numerous. Scientific evaluation of the dietary effects of parsley support some of these traditional uses. And, the nutritional value of parsley is higher than you might expect.
One of the primary health benefits of parsley is as a food source. Over the years both the leaves and the roots of some varieties have been eaten by people all over the world. Some ethnic dishes rely on the herb for its fresh flavor. It goes particularly well with fish, but can also be used in sauces, soups, stews and salads.
Unfortunately, in America, most people view parsley as a garnish and leave it uneaten. Big mistake.
As a food source, the nutritional value of parsley comes mostly from its vitamin C content. A mere 3 ½ ounces contains 133mg of vitamin C, more than double the USRDA for the vitamin. Although when it comes to vitamin C, many nutritionists feel that individuals can benefit from thousands of milligrams per day, particularly from food sources.
The high nutritional value of parsley also comes from its vitamin A content; 421 mcg per 3 ½ ounces, about 50% of the USRDA for that vitamin. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, meaning it reduces the damaging affects of oxygen on the cells of the human body. But, the dietary effects of parsley do not end with its vitamin content.
The health benefits of parsley in herbal medicine include its use in the control of high blood pressure. Chinese and German herbalists recommend parsley tea for this purpose. Scientific evaluations of the dietary effects of parsley seem to support this recommendation.
Several different underlying problems have been associated with hypertension or high blood pressure. One, the kidneys lose their ability to excrete sodium (salt) efficiently, disturbing the natural balance of water and salt in the body.
Two, people who have high blood pressure are usually “salt-sensitive”; salt tends to increase fluid retention in their bodies.
And three, the body’s natural systems designed to control blood pressure in the short term is overactive in people with chronic hypertension.
This leads to constriction of the blood vessels and increases retention of water and salt. Some of the prescription medications for the treatment of high blood pressure are designed to improve the body’s ability to rid itself of excess fluids and salt. They are called “diuretics”.
Scientific evaluations of the dietary effects of parsley have shown that it enhances the kidney’s ability to excrete sodium and water, thus it acts as a natural diuretic. It also improves the function of potassium in the body. Potassium counteracts the negative effects of salt.
Other reported health benefits of parsley are to improve blood flow in the pelvic region and to strengthen the bladder. Modern evaluations of the dietary effects of parsley do not support these claims.
Parsley contains a compound (oxalic acid) that is involved in the formation of kidney stones. If consumed in large amounts over long periods of time, this compound can result in calcium and other nutrient deficiencies, because it binds to these minerals, making them unavailable for use in the body.
On the other hand, when calcium supplements are taken with foods containing oxalic acid, the effect is counteracted. The oxalic acid is not absorbed and it is excreted from the body harmlessly. A handful a day or the amount found in whole food supplements should provide the health benefits of parsley, without the possible effects of over consumption.
Numerous public health organizations have made recommendations to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, nuts and whole grains. The nutritional value of parsley is high, but it does not contain everything that the body needs to function efficiently on a daily basis.
The health benefits of parsley and other vegetables, as well as fruits, nuts and whole grains cover every system of the human body. For those who do not get their recommended 5-10 servings per day, a whole food supplement is a good option.
Russell Cantwell is the editor of http://www.whole-food-supplements-guide.com/. Visit health benefits of parsley now to learn more about this amazing green veggie, and to discover whole food supplements that contain it and much more.
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