Zucchini an Aphrodisiac

Beyond its phallic form which arouses people’s sexual imagination, zucchini’s deep roots absorb trace minerals that build both red and white blood cells, helping to cleanse veins and capillaries, enhancing the circulation of oxygen that increases and intensifies both desire and performance. Eat either an entire zucchini three hours before each performance . . . and don't be surprised by an encore!

Zucchini’s Health Benefits

Zucchini is rich in manganese. Each cup of chopped zucchini boasts 0.22 milligram of manganese. This provides 12 and 10 percent of the Institute of Medicine's recommended daily intake for women and men, respectively. This trace mineral protects your tissues from harmful free radicals. It supports the function of glycosyltransferases, a family of proteins that promote healthy bone tissue development. Manganese also helps your body produce collagen essential for efficient wound healing.

Along with manganese, it also contains the mineral potassium, an important intra-cellular electrolyte. Potassium is a heart friendly electrolyte and helps bring the reduction in blood pressure and heart rates by countering pressure-effects of sodium.

Studies show that the phytonutrients in zucchini aid in reducing the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BOH), a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges and leads to complications with urination and sexual functions in men.

This summer squash is also a good source of dietary fiber that helps reduce constipation, aids in digestion, and offers some protection against colon cancers.

Zucchini’s cancer preventive qualities get even better because of its high vitamins C and A content. Vitamins C and A not only serve the body as powerful antioxidants, but also as effective anti-inflammatory agents. Along with the copper found in zucchini, these vitamins deter the development of many hyper-inflammatory disorders, including asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Zucchini also provides you with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytonutrients that belong to the carotenoid family, which is the same nutrient family that includes beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A. Lutein and zeaxanthin promote healthy eyesight. They filter light rays as they enter your eye, helping to ensure that harmful rays can't damage your eye tissues.

This veggie is a relatively moderate source of folates, provides of 24 µg or 6% of RDA per 100 g. Folates are important in cell division and DNA synthesis. When taken adequately before pregnancy, it can help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.

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Celery an Aphrodisiac

Celery is considered as an important male aphrodisiac for centuries in Europe. Its uncooked roots were once considered cure for impotence. The origin of its reputation as a libido booster may have to do with its resemblance to the male phallus. Historical anecdotes of celery’s significance as an aphrodisiac includes Romans dedicating the plant to Pluto, their God of Sex; and the famous Italian lover Casanova making it a part of his regular diet in order to boost his libido. Again, a quote discovered by Grimod de la Reyniere, in the eighteenth century says “It is enough to stress that [celery] is not in any way a salad for bachelors”; indicating its powers of arousing illicit sexual desire.

Health Benefits of Celery

Celery contains minerals such as calcium, sodium, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. It contains fatty acids and vitamins including vitamin A, C, E, D, B6, B12 and vitamin K. It also contains thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, dietary fibers and lots of antioxidants.

Antioxidants

Celery is a very rich source of antioxidants that help in reducing the risk of cancer. The vegetable contains the following phytonutrients: phenolic acids, flavonols, dihydrostilbenoids, flavones, furanocoumarins, and phytosterols.

Celery contains pthalides, which are organic chemical compounds that can lower the level of stress hormones in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to expand, giving your blood more room to move, thereby reducing pressure. When blood pressure is reduced, it puts less stress on the entire cardiovascular system, and reduces the chances of developing atherosclerosis, or suffering from a heart attack or a stroke.

Celery is also known for its inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and pain around the joints; great for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and gout.

Vitamin A

Its leaves are a good source of vitamin-A. A hundred grams of fresh celery comprises 449 IU or 15% of daily-required levels of this vitamin. Vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin, and for eyesight.

Vitamin C

Celery is rich in vitamin C, which greatly boosts the strength of the immune system. Stimulated by the activity of other antioxidants in celery, it becomes more active and efficient. It also keeps your skin healthy.

Fiber

The vegetable contains 1.6 grams of fiber per 100 grams. Fiber promotes a healthy cardiovascular system, and regular bowel movements.

Vitamin K and minerals

Fresh celery is an excellent source of vitamin-K, provides about 25% of DRI. Vitamin-K helps increase bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. The same goes with calcium and magnesium, which are also crucial elements of bone development.

Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

Celery has nerve-calming qualities, which is primarily the work of its high calcium content. As such it is helpful in easing stress and anxiety.

Other health benefits

Celery is also known for its diuretic and antiseptic qualities making it useful for people with bladder disorders, kidney problems, cystitis, and other similar conditions. Celery seeds also assist in preventing urinary tract infections in women.

According to some sources, celery is particularly beneficial for diabetes since it contains a compound similar to insulin and hence important for management of blood sugar levels.

Aphrodisiac qualities

Recent studies reveal that celery contains androsterone, one of the most potent of the male pheromones. Researchers believe that androsterone is released from the male body through sweating even though it cannot be actually smelt on the body. Androsterone is in fact a product of the metabolism of testosterone and possibly an important link in the chain of the breakdown of the male androgen hormones into chemicals like andro-pheromones, androstenone and androstenol, all of which are known to play a crucial role in sexually arousing women. For this reason consuming adequate amounts of raw celery may increase the natural production of these pheromones and make a man sexually attractive to members of the opposite sex.

The fact that it contains small quantities of essential minerals like sodium, calcium, zinc, iron and phosphorus as well as Vitamins like A, B and C makes it an even healthier choice. Besides helping with one’s sex life, the right body weight is also crucial for a healthy heart, management of diabetes, lowering of blood pressure and overall physical well-being.

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Cucumber, an aphrodisiac

Besides its phallic shape, cucumber is an aphrodisiac according to recent studies. Dr. Alan Hirsch found that the scent of cucumbers, in combination with black licorice, is extremely arousing to women.

This vegetable provides several nutrients essential to maintaining sexual health, including manganese and vitamin C. The silica in cucumbers makes our connective tissues stronger which will not only keep us stronger and robust for action but can also help maintain young, vibrant skin. Cucumbers also prevent water retention which means they not only work as a cure of morning after eyes but can diminish bloat to keep you feeling your sexiest.

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asparagus, a love food

This is nature’s answer to Viagra. Asparagus does not only appear phallic in shape and taste sublime; it is also widely reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

Boost your sex drive naturally! There is actually a lot of truth behind the legend that asparagus "stirs up lust in man and woman" (Nicholas Culpepper 1616-1654, a legendary figure in the field of herbal medicine). Its broad base of nutrients including potassium and vitamin A provide general well-being which ultimately stimulates the glandular and metabolic function, boosting sex drive. More importantly the inability to reach orgasm in both men and women is linked with a lack of histamines. Histamine production appears to be triggered by folic acid, so asparagus as the leading folic acid containing vegetable can help people reach their sexual peak. Traditionally eaten with the fingers, it is also a seductive eating experience!

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Arugula as an aphrodisiac

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 sometimes used as an ingredient in “pesto,” either in addition to [basil] or as a (non-traditional) substitute. A dish in Veneto consists of shredded, cured horsemeat on a bed of arugula dressed with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

Arugula has been grown as a vegetable in the Mediterranean area since Roman times, and was considered and documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. It was grown for both its leaves and the seed. The seed was used for flavoring oils. On another interesting note, the seed has also been used back in the Roman times as an ingredient in aphrodisiac concoctions. It was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios back then. Its leaves were also used along with romaine, chicory, mallow, and lavender and seasoned with a "cheese sauce for lettuce" to form a typical Roman aphrodisiac salad.

The ancient Romans considered arugula a potent aphrodisiac because it was consecrated to Priapus. Unmistakable by virtue of his exaggerated phallus, Priapus was one of Rome’s minor fertility gods and also the protector of gardens and domestic animals. He inspired many epigrammatic poems, which were essentially graffiti clothed in the refined forms of classical poetry. Modern herbalists go light on the aphrodisiac qualities and generally recommend arugula as an aid to digestion though.

Arugula’s complex flavors (spicy and earthy) explode in your mouth. That explosive quality was another reason, besides the etymology, why arugula is also known as “salad rocket.” There are some people who believe that eating its seeds (leaves also) does something to your brain which enlivens it. That, perhaps, and its spicy “rocket like” effect to the palette made the Romans believe that it’s an aphrodisiac.

And finally, a word of caution: eating this might lead to a night of sizzling and sensuous passion you will never forget.

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