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Health officials have issued a warning about an illegal aphrodisiac made from toad venom after the product apparently killed a man in New York. The product is sold at sex shops and neighborhood stores under names including Piedra, Love Stone, Jamaican Stone, Black Stone and Chinese Rock. It is often sold packaged in plastic, with a barcode, a price tag and official-looking instructions for use. It

via AP NEW YORK (AP) - Health officials are warning New Yorkers to stay away from an illegal aphrodisiac made from toad venom after the product apparently killed a man. The city’s poison... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

"The best aphrodisiac is loving your partner".--Stefan Anitei, Science Editor, SoftpediaOne man's search for the enhanced sexual performance and desire that only an aphrodisiac can give, ended with death instead of desire. Now New York health officials are warning residents to refrain from an illegal aphrodisiac made from--toad venom?What won't humans do for love and sex?The alert went out Friday

An aphrodisiac food is one that is believed to stimulate the sex drive and improve sexual performance. Aphrodisiac foods have been used as far back as the Greeks and the Romans to increase sexual powers. An aphrodisiac food can be suggestive, rather than cause a physical sexual reaction. In fact, many believe that some aphrodisiac foods [...]

Nirmala’s Kitchen Exotic Tea, Aphrodisiac Kama Sutra Tea, 1.5-Ounce Units (Pack of 4) (Grocery)By Nirmala’s Kitchen Inc. Buy new: $15.03 Customer Rating: First tagged “spa” by Edward Fielding “Outdoor Gift Expert” Customer [...]

Male enhancement is one of the most searched topics on the net (web) all over the world. Actually the major reason behind it is the lack of openness in this topic. People don’t like to discuss such private issues No Tags

This post was guest blogged by Donna Turner, who writes about erotic stories, sex advice, and sex toys at Shop Sex Toys Online. Get the best sex toys at The AdultToyShoppe.If you want to try something fun, then collect all the aphrodisiac foods that you can and share them together. What will happen to your sex drive? Does slurping oysters really enhance the mood and increase your sex drive? We are about to find out!Aphrodisiacs originated from a few known places, the first was back in the days of Greek mythology, the reason behind the sexual enhancement brought on by aphrodisiacs that at that time is that food was at times scarce. Full and complete nutrition is a basic need for life and once this need was met, then a person could focus on other needs, hence sex. Also a mal-nourished body h

Celebrated as the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day brings with it flowers, candies, cookies, chocolates, cupid, candlelight and love. Our romantic fantasies may begin with Cupid and Roses, but somehow they always seem to end with luscious food, because no celebration is complete without delicious food, and perhaps some alcohol! It is probably a universal belief that certain food and beverages can act as strong aphrodisiacs due to certain chemicals they release in our bodies, as chocolate has been proven to do. But most of the times they excite many of our senses through a combination of taste, texture and appearance. The shape of some foods is highly associated with arousal in humans. But whatever may be the reason, it's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with some fo

Our search for better sex – is never-ending. For thousands of years lovers have been on the look out for all kinds of magic substances, foods, activities and herbs helping to influence their erotic life. Today these substances are known as aphrodisiacs. Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and sensuality, an aphrodisiac is anything that turns you on. The most powerful of aphrodisiacs are those influencing our physiological and psychological state, in other words, body and mind. And it is believed that SCENTS have such a powerful effect...Why scents worth all of the fuss?Scent is nature’s secret weapon of pleasure that works naturally and every time. Using scents and fragrances we can influence each other’s sensuality and even activate sexual feelings. The idea is t

Yes, its real deer antlers and they’re from live deer. You might think that they were hunted down to extinction for this purpose, but that’s a “no”. (It might be true for their pelt but not for their antlers.) It might be true before, perhaps, but today, according to the sources I’ve read, they take it from the deer without killing them since it’s only the tip of their antlers that they’re after.They call this tip as “deer antler velvet”, or just “deer velvet”. Deer velvet is named after the soft velvet-like covering of deer antlers while they are growing and still in a cartilaginous state, before they harden into bone. “Deer antlers”, by the way, are organs of bone which regenerate each year from the heads of male deer. They grow with remarkable swiftness and eve

It is quite uncertain how and why it started; but it hasn’t gone unnoticed for many psychologists that most aphrodisiacs, especially from the east, are derived mostly from creatures that are either dangerous, or are so rare that it is difficult to come by. Because of these beliefs of power being drawn from the bellies of rare poisonous and fierce animals, it often lead to disastrous consequences such as lives sacrificed for obtaining such precious (and most often highly priced) elixirs, and the demise of a species hunted down to extinction. One such animal is the cobra. The more poisonous the species is, the more potent its aphrodisiac qualities. (Of course, it follows that the more powerful the effect is the more expensive, right?)Drinking these serpents’ blood is the usual method to

maca-kapagpatigas, maca-kapagpatayo, maca-kabuo ka ng babykung mahilig ka sa maca...Lepidium meyenii or maca is an herbaceous biennial plant or annual plant (some sources say a perennial plant) native to the high Andes of Bolivia and Peru. It is grown for its fleshy hypocotyl (actually a fused hypocotyl and taproot), which is used as a root vegetable and a medicinal herb. Its Spanish and Quechua names include maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, and ayak willku.The growth habit, size, and proportions of the maca are roughly similar to those of the radish and the turnip, to which it is related. The stem is short and lies along the ground, with only the tips curling up. The frilly leaves are born in a rosette at the soil surface, and are continuously renewed from the center as the outer leaves die. The off-white, self-fertile flowers are born on a central raceme, and are followed by 4-5 mm siliculate fruits, each containing two small (2-2.5 mm) reddish-gray ovoid seeds. The seeds, which are

Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and in northern Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil.Like many weedy species, this plant has many common names. Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, Gokshura, and Goathead are the most widely used; others include automobile-weed, bindy eye, bindii, bullhead, burnut, burra gokhroo, calthrops, cat's head, common dubbeltjie, devil's thorn, devil's weed, doublegee, dubbeltje, ground bur-nut, isiHoho, land caltrop, Maltese cross, Mexican sandbur, puncture weed, rose, small caltrops, sticker, tackweed, and Texas sandbur (also T. micrococcus).It is a tap-rooted herbaceous perennial plant that grows as a summer annual in colder climates. The stems radiate from the crown to a diameter of about 10 cm to over 1 m, often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming flat patches, tho

"Ashawa mo ghaghanda (hik) kapagnaka (hik) ashwagandha ka (hik)....."Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in Solanaceae or nightshade family. It grows as a stout shrub that reaches a height of 170cm. Like the tomato which belongs to the same family, ashwagandha bears yellow flowers and red fruit, though its fruit is berry-like in size and shape. Ashwagandha grows prolifically in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.“Ashwagandha”, in Sanskrit, means "horse's smell", probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse. The species name somnifera means "sleep-bearing" in Latin, indicating it was considered a sedative, but it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen. Some herbalists refer to ashwagandha as “Indian ginseng”, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine in a way similar to that ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine.In Ayurv

Also referred to as “potency wood”, “marapuama”, and “Potenzholz”; Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum Olacoides) is a native shrub with white flowers found in Brazil and the Amazon forest area. Reaching up to 5 meters in height and produces pungent flowers with a jasmine like fragrance, it grows abundantly across the Amazon River basin. There are only two species of small trees under the genus, Ptychopetalum. One variety, P. olacoides, grows in the tropical parts of America, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. The P. uncinatum is found only in Brazil.For many decades, Muira Puama has been used as medicine owing to its parts which have medicinal and healing properties. The indigenous people living in the Amazon basin have been using Muira Puama as a healing medicine. The stems and roots of young plants were used as tonics to treat neuromuscular problems. The natives also used a root concoction in baths and massages. It was believed to have therapeutic effects on paralysis a

Papa Yeah Papa yah!!!The papaya (from Carib via Spanish), is the fruit of the tree Carica papaya, in the genus Carica. It is native to the tropics of the Americas, and was cultivated in Mexico several centuries before the emergence of the Mesoamerican classic cultures. Nowadays, the papaya is also known as fruta bomba (Cuba), lechosa (Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic), mamão, papaw (Sri Lankan English), Papol Guslabu (Tree melon - in Sinhalese ), pawpaw or tree melon, as well as tree melon (木瓜) in Chinese and đu đủ in Vietnamese.It is a small tree, the single stem growing from 5 to 10 m tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk; the lower trunk is conspicuously scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. The leaves are large, 50-70 cm diameter, deeply palmately lobed with 7 lobes. The tree is usually unbranched if unlopped. The flowers are similar in shape to the flowers of the Plumeria but are much smaller and wax

Salmonete sa platoSalmon is the common name for several species of fish of the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the family are called trout. Salmon live in both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Great Lakes and other land locked lakes.Typically, salmon are anadromous: they are born in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, then return to fresh water to reproduce. Folklore has it that the fish return to the exact spot where they were born to spawn; research indicates that at least 90% of the fish that spawn in a particular stream were born there. In Alaska, the crossing-over to other streams allows salmon to populate new streams, such as those that emerge as a glacier retreats. The precise method salmon use to navigate has not been entirely established, though their keen sense of smell is involved. In all species of Pacific salmon, the mature individuals die within a few days or weeks of spawning, a trait known as semelparity. However, even in those species of salmon that

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which also includes many other herbs. Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach 1.5 m tall, rarely 2 m. The leaves are evergreen, 2-4 cm long and 2-5 mm broad, green above, and white below with dense short woolly hairs. The flowers are variable in color, being white, pink, purple, or blue.The fresh and dried leaves are used frequently in traditional Mediterranean cuisine as an herb; they have a bitter, astringent taste, which complements oily foods, such as lamb and oily fish. A tisane can also be made from them. They are extensively used in cooking, and when burned give off a distinct mustard smell, as well as a smell similar to that of burning which can be used to flavor foods while barbecuing. Rosemary, in the dried form, is extremely high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B

Eurycoma longifolia (aka, long jack or Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a small evergreen tree growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) long with 13-41 leaflets. The flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different trees; they are produced in large panicles, each flower with 5-6 very small petals. The fruit is green ripening dark red, 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad.It is traditionally used for the treatment of malaria, high blood pressure, fever and loss of sexual desire. However, the plant is a traditional secret of Malays as a booster for strength, stamina and possibly immunity. The first documentation on tongkat ali was done in 1939 in the Dictionary of Malaysian Medicine. It is the roots of at least a 7-year old plant that is harvested. It is said that tongkat ali is five times more potent than ginseng.Scientific studies suggest that

Damiana, of the Turneraceae plant family, is a small aromatic shrub that reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet with small yellow flowers that bloom in summer and are followed by small fruits with a fig-like taste. It grows on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides in south Texas, Southern California, Mexico, and Central America. The two species used in herbal healing, both of which are referred to as damiana, are Turnera aphrodisiaca and Turnera diffusa. Its pale green leaves, which turn yellow-brown when dried, are 0.5–1 in (15–25 mm) long and quite narrow. They have serrated (jagged) edges. The leaves and sometimes the stems of the plant have traditionally been made into a tea which was used by native people of Central and South America for its reputed aphrodisiac effects. Other names for damiana include old woman's broom, Mexican damiana, pastorata, hierba del venado, oreganello, and the bourrique.In herbal medicine, damiana is used to treat conditions ranging from coughs, to constipation, to d

The Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba; '銀杏' in Chinese), frequently misspelled as "Gingko", and also known as the Maidenhair Tree, is a unique tree with no close living relatives. It is classified in its own division, the Ginkgophyta, comprising the single class Ginkgoopsida, order Ginkgoales, family Ginkgoaceae, genus Ginkgo and is the only extant species within this group. It is one of the best known examples of a living fossil. Ginkgoales are not known in the fossil record after the Pliocene, making Ginkgo biloba a living fossil.For centuries it was thought to be extinct in the wild, but is now known to grow in at least two small areas in Zhejiang province in eastern China, in the Tian Mu Shan Reserve. However, ginkgo trees in these areas may have been tended and preserved by Chinese monks for over 1000 years. Therefore, whether native ginkgo populations still exist is uncertain.The (older) Chinese name for this plant is 银果 yínguo ('silver fruit'). The most usual names today are

What THYME na ba? Late ka na naman!!!Thyme (Thymus) (pronounced "time") is a genus of about 350 species of aromatic perennial herbaceous plants and sub-shrubs to 40 cm tall, in the family Lamiaceae and native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. A number of species have different chemotypes. The stems tend to be narrow or even wiry; the leaves are evergreen in most species, arranged in opposite pairs, oval, entire, and small, 4-20 mm long. The flowers are in dense terminal heads, with an uneven calyx, with the upper lip three-lobed, and the lower cleft; the corolla is tubular, 4-10 mm long, and white, pink or purple.---WikipediaThyme is used most widely in cooking. Thyme is a basic ingredient in French and Italian cuisines, and in those derived from them. It is also widely used in Lebanese and Caribbean cuisines. Thyme is often used to flavour meats, soups and stews. It has a particular affinity to and is often used as a primary flavour with lamb, tomatoes and eggs.Traditionally, thyme ha

New research shows that not only does Viagra help men overcome medical barriers to sex, it’s also an aphrodisiac. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison report this month that sildenafil, sold in the U.S. as Viagra, increases the amount of oxytocin released by the pituitary gland. Sometimes called the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” oxytocin has been linked to sexual arousal and plays several important roles in social interactions and reproduction, including triggering uterine contractions and lactation. It is also released during orgasm. The finding is the first indication that erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra may have physical effects in addition to increasing blood flow to sexual organs, said study author Meyer Jackson, a physiology professor at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, in a news release. Oxytocin release is regulated by an enzyme that acts like a braking system, limiting hormone release by dampenin

Pre!!! "Ginseng" ka na ba?!!! Ako tulog pa, ha ha ha!!!Ginseng refers to species within Panax, a genus of 11 species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, in the family Araliaceae. They grow in the Northern Hemisphere in eastern Asia (mostly northern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates; Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng found. This article focuses on the Series Panax ginsengs, which are the adaptogenic herbs, principally Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. Ginseng is characterized by the presence of ginsenosides.The English word ginseng derives from the Chinese term rénshēn (simplified: 人参; traditional: 人蔘), literally "man root" (referring to the root's characteristic forked shape, resembling the legs of a man). The difference between rénshēn and "ginseng" is explained by the fact that the English pronunciation derives from a Japanese reading of these Chinese characters. However, the current

Caviar is the processed, salted roe of certain species of fish, most notably the sturgeon. It is commercially marketed worldwide as a delicacy and is eaten as a garnish or a spread. Given its high price in the West, caviar is synonymous with luxury and wealth. In Russia and other Eastern cultures, though still expensive, caviar is commonly served at holiday feasts, weddings, and other festive occasions.The word caviar entered English from Turkish, but there are various purported etymologies of the word. While some claim that it was the Turkish who first generated the word khavyar, some say it derives from the Persian word خاگ‌آور (Xâg-âvar), meaning "the roe-generator"; others say chav-jar, which means "cake of power", a reference to the ancient Persian practice of eating caviar in stick form as a kind of elixir. In Persian, the word refers to both the sturgeon and its roe; in Russian, the word икра (ikra), "roe", is used.Contemporary black caviar is roe from sturgeon fis

Yummy!!!The sea cucumber is an echinoderm of the class Holothuroidea, with an elongated body and leathery skin, which is found on the sea floor worldwide. It has a gelatinous characteristic and is distantly related to star fish and sea urchins. It is so named because of its cucumber-like shape. Like all echinoderms, sea cucumbers have an endoskeleton just below the skin. It has a distinctly phallic appearance, which may account for its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Sea cucumbers are generally scavengers, feeding on debris in the benthic layer. The diet of most cucumbers consists of plankton and decaying organic matter found in the sea. One way they might get a supply of food is to position themselves in a current where they can catch food that flow by with their tentacles when they open. Another way is to sift through the bottom sediments using their tentacles.Sea cucumber is considered a delicacy in Far East countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. It

Aruuy Guulaay!!!Arugula, also known as rocket, garden rocket, rocket salad, rugola, rucola and roquette, is a type of leaf vegetable, which looks like a longer leaved and open lettuce. Rocket is an herbaceous annual or perennial; a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae = Cruciferae). It is aromatic and rich in vitamins A, C, and iron. The term arugula (variations of Italian dialects around “arigola”) is the term often used by the Italian diaspora in Australia and North America; both words arugula and rocket ultimately come from the Latin word stem roc and eruca which means “harsh,” in reference to its bitter flavor especially when collected from the wild.Arugula is generally used in salads but also cooked as a vegetable with pastas or meats and in coastal Slovenia (especially Koper), it is added in the “squeaky cheese burek.” In Italy, it is often used in pizzas, added just before the baking period ends or immediately afterwards, so that it can wilt in the heat. It is

mmmMustard!!!Mustards are several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis whose small mustard seeds are used as a spice and condiment also known as “mustard.” The seeds are also pressed to make mustard oil, and the edible leaves can be eaten as mustard greens.The mustard condiment is a thick yellow or yellow-brown paste with a sharp taste that is prepared from the ground seeds of mustard plants (white or yellow mustard or Sinapis hirta, brown or Indian mustard or Brassica juncea, and black mustard or Brassica nigra), by mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, and adding ingredients such as flour. A strong mustard can cause the eyes to water, burn the palate and inflame the nasal passages. For this reason, mustard can be an acquired taste for some.Mustard is the oldest condiment known to the human race, although no one knows for sure who first used it to flavor food. It is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt where seeds have been found in the tombs of the

Aromatheraphy is the use of volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health. Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. It has a particularly Western currency and persuasion. Medical treatment involving aromatic scents may exist outside of the West, but may or may not be intended by the term 'aromatherapy'.Aromatherapy has roots in antiquity with the use of aromatic oils. However, as currently defined, aromatherapy involves the use of distilled plant volatiles, a twentieth century innovation. The word, aromatherapy, was first used in the 1920s by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé, who devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils after a lucky accident in his perfume laboratory. In the acc

Quit "wine"ing!!!Wine is an alcoholic drink and can give beneficial effects to the body, especially its anti-aging properties, but did you know that it’s an aphrodisiac as well. Many substances have been said to induce sexual desires as well as to enhance intercourse. The use of alcoholic beverages is one of the most ancient forms of libido stimulation and it is still one of the most widely used aphrodisiacs worldwide. Wine is one of them.Drinking wine can be an amazingly erotic experience, enhancing a romantic interlude by relaxing our bodies and stimulating our senses. Alone, it adds a sophisticated “sex appeal” to social events and personal meals. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid, caress the glass, and savor the taste on your lips. Pair it up with many of the classic “love foods” and your night will surely sizzle, but watch out the intake. Drink more than the right dose and your sizzling night will fizzle in dismay. It makes you too drowsy thus ugly.So what d

Oh look, a FIIIG!!!The Common Fig, Ficus Carica, produces a commercial fruit called a fig. The fruit of many other species of the genus Ficus are edible though not widely consumed. Other examples of figs include the banyans and the Sacred Fig (Peepul or Bo) tree. Most species are evergreen, while those from temperate areas, and areas with a long dry season, are deciduous.A fig "fruit" is derived from a specially adapted type of inflorescence (structural arrangement of flowers). What is commonly called the "fruit" of a fig is actually a specialized structure- or accessory fruit- called a syconium: an involuted (nearly closed) receptacle with many small flowers arranged on the inner surface. Thus the actual flowers of the fig are unseen unless the fig is cut open. The syconium often has a bulbous shape with a small opening (the ostiole) at the distal end that allows access by pollinators. The flowers are pollinated by very small wasps that crawl through the opening in search of a suitabl

kape, kape't, kape muliCertainly, we all know what's in a cup of coffee and what a coffee is. We all have experienced its exquisite taste and highly appreciated aroma. But did you know that it is a potent aphrodisiac as well?Legend has it that Turkish people claimed coffee to be an aphrodisiac and husbands kept their wives well supplied. If the husband refused, it was a legitimate cause for a wife to divorce.A recent study has suggested that coffee could be a potent aphrodisiac for women who infrequently consume the beverage. The experiment was done on female rats where they had to ingest a certain amount of caffeine. The female rats that ingested the substance before mating were quicker than the "not caffeinated" females to enjoy another hanky-panky moment.Although the experiment is highly suggestive of caffeine's aphrodisiac powers, an underlying fact that it was done on animals that haven't had any caffeine in their life still remains. Most of the time, women drink coffee

kape, kape't, kape muliCertainly, we all know what’s in a cup of coffee and what a coffee is. We all have experienced its exquisite taste and highly appreciated aroma. But did you know that it is a potent aphrodisiac as well?Legend has it that Turkish people claimed coffee to be an aphrodisiac and husbands kept their wives well supplied. If the husband refused, it was a legitimate cause for a wife to divorce.A recent study has suggested that coffee could be a potent aphrodisiac for women who infrequently consume the beverage. The experiment was done on female rats where they had to ingest a certain amount of caffeine. The female rats that ingested the substance before mating were quicker than the “not caffeinated” females to enjoy another hanky-panky moment.Although the experiment is highly suggestive of caffeine’s aphrodisiac powers, an underlying fact that it was done on animals that haven’t had any caffeine in their life still remains. Most of the time, women drink coffee

A few weeks ago, a couple clearly on the rocks came in and sat at a dining table. They were far from any and all distractions. Maybe this, one or both of them thought, is what we need: a quiet night out to get back to the roots of our relationship. Perhaps this dimly-lit corner will rekindle something. They looked to be in their early or mid-20’s. The price of the meal, sadly, will give away an individual’s age faster than their appearance. I treated them just like I treat every other couple that chooses to sit away from everyone else even though there’s plenty of tables on the main floor: with inner-discontent but outward-peppiness. It would be so much more convenient for them to sit five feet from my other tables, I’d think. As I dropped off their dinners, I made eye contact with both of them. It was merely subconscious (who looks away from someone when you ask “Who had the Filet Mignon?” and they meet your face) but looking back on it, there was s

By Patricia FasonThe saying may go, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach", but what about women? It is a long standing tradition to present a woman with a box of chocolate as a romantic gesture. Is it simply because women love chocolate or does the root of this tradition go deeper? Curiosity led me to do some research on the subject and here is what I found.First of all I wanted to know if chocolate was truly an aphrodisiac. An aphrodisiac is reputed to "put you in the mood for love" and the name comes from the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. It is possible that the aphrodisiacal qualities come from our own mindset and expectations. First of all, we get a certain amount of pleasure from consuming chocolate. For one, the melting point of chocolate is slightly below human body temperature so it melts in your mouth. That in itself is a stimulating experience but what about the substances found in chocolate? And what are the roots of chocolate as an aphrodisiac in history? I

I like chocolate truffles moreThe true truffles are a group of several valuable and highly sought-after edible species of underground ascomycetes belonging to the fungal genus Tuber. All are ectomycorrhizal and are therefore found in close association with trees.The ascoma (fruiting body) of truffles is highly prized as food. It has a smell similar to deep-fried sunflower seeds or walnuts, though not all people are able to catch the odor of this fungus. The water after soaking truffles can taste a bit like soy sauce. Brillat-Savarin called the truffle "the diamond of the kitchen" and praised its aphrodisiacal powers.While the aphrodisiacal characteristics of truffles have not been established, it is still held in high esteem in traditional French, northern Italian and Istrian cooking, and in international haute cuisine.Strictly speaking, the true truffles are those several species of the genus Tuber; however the term has been applied to several other genera of underground fungi around

The nutmegs Myristica are a genus of evergreen trees indigenous to tropical southeast Asia and Australasia. They are important for two spices derived from the fruit, nutmeg and mace.Nutmeg is the actual seed of the tree, roughly egg-shaped and about 20–30 mm long and 15–18 mm wide, and weighing between 5 and 10 grams dried, while mace is the dried "lacy" reddish covering or arillus of the seed.Several other commercial products are also produced from the trees, including essential oils, extracted oleoresins, and nutmeg butter (see below).The pericarp (fruit/pod) is used in Grenada to make a jam called Morne Delice. In Indonesia, the fruit is sliced finely, cooked and crystallized to make a fragrant candy called manisan pala ("nutmeg sweets").The most important species commercially is the Common or Fragrant Nutmeg Myristica fragrans, native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia; it is also grown in the Caribbean, especially in Grenada. Other species include Papuan Nutmeg M. argentea from

Basil Valdez a Filipino BalladeerPersonally, I think he has nothing to do with "basil plant". However, who could tell?Basil (Ocimum basilicum) of the Family Lamiaceae is also known as Sweet Basil. It is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial in warm, tropical climates. Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is prominently featured in varied cuisines throughout the world including Italian, Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian. It grows to between 20–60 cm tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves 1.5–5 cm long and 1–3 cm broad. The flowers are quite big, white in colour and arranged in a terminal spike. Unusual among Lamiaceae, the four stamens and the pistil are not pushed under the upper lip of the corolla, but lay over the inferior. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla falls off and four round achenes develop inside the bilabiate calyx. The plant tastes somewhat like

Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse? Can specific food categories be the cause of the increase or decrease of male or female libido? Is there any scientific evidence that suggests some types of foods can help the sex life of today's individuals, or all these are just a legend that goes back to the ancient times? Although a balanced diet is considered today to be the best aphrodisiac, this article can help you spice up your life and answer some of your questions on the subject of aphrodisiac food materials.- What is the role our brain plays? The sexual disposition and activity of a person are directly related with the brain's activity. Crucial for the transferring of sexual stimulus are considered the neurotransmitters, the chemical substances that transfer messages to and out a person's brain. These neurotransmitters contribute to one's good memor

Coriander leaves or CilantroCoriander (Coriandrum sativum), also commonly called cilantro in North America, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to southwestern Asia west to north Africa. It is a soft, hairless, fetid plant growing to 50 cm tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the centre of the umbel longer (5-6 mm) than those pointing to the middle of the umbel (only 1-3 mm long). The fruit is a globular dry schizocarp 3-5 mm diameter.Also referred to as “cilantro” and “Chinese parsley”, it is a fast growing annual reaching 12 - 24 inches tall. The entire plant including the leaves, the seeds and roots are all edible. It has a very pungent odor and is widely used in Mexican, Caribbean and Asian cooking.Coriander has been cultivated for thousan

dried licorice rootsLicorice (or liquorice) is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) and native to southern Europe, Middle East, and parts of Asia where it grows wild. It is a herbaceous perennial, growing to 1 metre in height, with pinnate leaves about 7–15 centimetres (3–6 inches) long, with 9–17 leaflets. The flowers are 0.8–1.2 cm (1/3 to 1/2 inch) long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced in a loose inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong pod, 2–3 centimetres (about 1 inch) long, containing several seeds.Licorice gets its name from the Greek glyks, meaning “sweet” and rhiza meaning “root”. It is the sweet tasting rhizomes (underground stems) and roots that are used as flavorings. Licorice is mentioned in the Hippocratic texts, and to the Romans, who made licorice extract as we do today. Ancient Chinese herbalists used licorice, distilling the root’s essence and pr

Though called a root, it is actually the rhizome of the monocotyledonous perennial plant Zingiber officinale. Originating in southern China, the cultivation of ginger spread to India, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The English word ginger is etymologically related to the Tamil iÃ±ci (à®‡à®žà¯à®šà®¿), having been borrowed into Indo-European languages from a Dravidian language.Ginger is commonly recognized as a digestive aid, but its proven nutritional and medical values could qualify it as a wonder spice. Ginger can help to alleviate indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea, nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and also contains many antioxidants. It has also been commonly used to treat inflammation, although medical studies as to the efficacy of ginger in decreasing inflammation have shown mixed results. There are several studies that demonstrate very positive results on minimizing joint pain from arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. It may also have blood thinni

"Sili" you sillyCayenne pepper is a hot red pepper used to flavor dishes; its name comes from the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. Its powdered form comes from the fruit of several cultivated varieties of the Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum frutescens very closely related to bell peppers, jalapeÃ±os, paprika, and others. All are related species of the nightshade family (Solanaceae).Cayenne pepper is a hot red pepper used to flavor dishes; its name comes from the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. Its powdered form comes from the fruit of several cultivated varieties of the Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum frutescens very closely related to bell peppers, jalapeÃ±os, paprika, and others. All are related species of the nightshade family (Solanaceae).Cayenne is used in cooking spicy hot dishes, as a powder or in its whole form (such as in Szechuan cuisine). It is generally rated at 40,000 to 90,000 Scoville Units.There are numerous studies going on for the medicinal applications of Cayenne pe

Ylang-ylang (ee-lahng-ee-lahng), Cananga odorata, is a small but beautiful flower of the cananga tree. The tree attains an average height of 12 meters, grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat. The leaves are long, smooth and glossy. The flower is greenish yellow or pink, curly like a starfish, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil. A related species is Cananga fruticosa which is a dwarf Ylang-Ylang growing as small tree or compact shrub with hightly scented flowers. Ylang Ylang has been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditions.The word derives from the Tagalog (one of the native languages of the Philippine Islands) plant name ilang-ilang, and does not allude to the pleasant scent of ylang-ylang flowers.Ylang-ylang essential oil is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and considered to be an aphrodisiac. According to Margaret Mead, i

The Almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus, or Amygdalus communis) is a small deciduous tree belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae; an almond is also the fruit of this tree. The plant is classified with the peach in the subgenus Amygdalus within Prunus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell.The tree is a native of southwest Asia. The domesticated form can ripen fruit as far north as the British Isles. It is a small tree, growing to 4-9 m tall. The leaves are lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, and serrated at the edges. The flowers are white or pale pink, 3-5 cm diameter with five petals, produced before the leaves in early spring.Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fats, one of the two "good" fats responsible for lowering LDL cholesterol.Almonds can help boost the sex drive. The kernel of Indian almond was not only shown to have aphrodisiac activity, it is also useful in the treatment of some f

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a perennial plant in the family Alliaceae and genus Allium, closely related to the onion, shallot, and leek. It grows in the wild in areas where it has become naturalised, but is thought to have originally arisen in cultivation, probably descended from the species Allium longicuspis, which grows wild in south-western Asia. Garlic has been used throughout all of recorded history for both culinary and medicinal purposes.Regarding its medicinal use, garlic proves to be one outstanding bulb. It prevents and fights common cold; diminishes platelet aggregation; lowers LDL-C ("low density lipoprotein" --- carries cholesterol); treats hyperlipidaemia; significantly inhibits atherosclerosis via its aged extract "kyolic"; protects and keeps the elastic properties of elderly people's aortas; prevents complications by diabetes mellitus; has cancer-fighting properties; treats intestinal worms and other internal parasites; and remedies chest problems, digestive d

Vanilla PlantVanilla is an orchid. There are about 60 species scattered around the globe, but most are not suitable for the production of Vanilla beans, that culinary delight which is found in delicatessens. Yes, Vanilla is one expensive spice, second to Saffron. If you're wondering why you have a cheap one in your kitchen, they are most probably the "cheap imitation vanillas" whose mixture is made from synthetic substances which imitate the vanilla smell and flavor. The one commercially used as a spice is Vanilla planifolia (formerly known as Vanilla fragrans). It is mostly from Mexico. It is a robust, climbing vine producing a single leathery leaf about 12cm long at each node together with its roots which cling tenaciously to its host tree or, in cultivation, trellis. The vine itself can be 20mm in diameter. Vanilla planifolia comes in two varieties - the plain and the variegated form. The plant usually does not flower until at least 3 metres tall and it can reach a size of 20

Luscious redsThe strawberry (Fragaria) is a genus of plants in the family Rosaceae, and the fruit of these plants. There are more than 20 named species and many hybrids and cultivars. The most common strawberries grown commercially are cultivars of the Garden strawberry, Fragaria ananassa. Strawberries are a valuable source of vitamin C.A perfect little red heart, the strawberry is an edible Valentine. Touted as an aphrodisiac fruit since the times of ancient Rome, the strawberry was a symbol of Venus. In the French countryside, there was once a tradition of serving newlyweds cold strawberry soup to help promote the aphrodisiac of honeymoon romance. There's also a legend saying that if you break the strawberry in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.Often a chocolate strawberry is synonymous with being an aphrodisiac. Although no scientific information is available to confirm this belief, chocolate has been proven to increase

aniseed, anise seed, Anny's seed, or Anny's teeth?Anise or Aniseed, less commonly anÃs (stressed on the first syllable) (Pimpinella anisum) is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. It is a herbaceous annual plant growing to 50 cm tall. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 2-5 cm long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous leaflets. The flowers are white, 3 mm diameter, produced in dense umbels. The fruit is an oblong dry schizocarp, 3-5 mm long.Its other names are Anise, Aniseed, Sweet Cumin, star anise, Chinese anise, illicium. Its seed, leaves, oil, and anethole are what it is commonly valued for.Anise leaves are used to treat digestive problems, to relieve toothache, and its essential oil is used to treat lice and scabies. In India, aniseed (Saunf in Hindi ) is also used as mouth freshener. It is also used for flavoring some foods.Historically,