Food

The heartbreaker’s dinner: myths about aphrodisiacs

Official medicine considers aphrodisiacs (remedies to enhance love affliction, named after the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite) a relic of the past and considers them part of the cultural heritage of various peoples.

 

The first thing to do is to make sure that you have the right to the right choice, and that you have the right to the right choice, and that you have the right to the right choice. But before you rush headlong into a whirlpool of experiments on yourself, it is worth to think about the possible consequences and choose the most harmless options.

 

What you can, if you really want, and what not

At first glance the first assistant in the affairs of the heart – alcohol: by temporarily improving the mood, emancipation, removal of social and ethical prohibitions. Just do not get carried away – in large doses of ethanol acts as a depressant, so the sexual excitement caused by abundant libation can end in disgraceful failure in bed. But to exclude the traditional champagne with chocolate or strawberries from the menu of a romantic dinner is possible only to irreconcilable fighters for sobriety. Carbon dioxide promotes the absorption of alcohol and carbohydrates by brain cells, chocolate is known for its ability to trigger the synthesis of endorphins, the so-called pleasure hormones that enhance sexual arousal, while fruit acids stimulate the production of androgens – male sex hormones that increase sexual arousal in both sexes.

 

Since time immemorial, narcotic plants (cannabis, coca, and opium poppy) and their synthetic analogues can “release the brakes” even better than alcohol. But better somehow without drugs than somehow with them-with all the well-known consequences.

 

Debunked Legends

In contrast to the ash borer itself, the structural formula of cantharidin (anhydride 2,3-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, C10H12O4) is very similar to the fly.

 

The daily diet of the pyramid builders consisted of three tortillas and foods directly related to the subject of this article: three pitchers of beer, garlic and onions, plus a handful of dates for dessert. Perhaps not coincidentally: the next Pharaoh would need new workers…

Aloe (centenarian) probably still lives on your windowsill. If not, you can buy its extract at the drugstore. In addition to its antiseptic and immune-boosting effects, aloe is rumored to increase blood flow to the genitals. The bitter taste of the juice can be drowned out with honey.

Avocados are not dangerous, but even healthy. “Avocado” is several times ahuacatl, the word the Aztec descendants who still speak nahuatl, use to call both the fruit and testicles (not chicken).

Bananas are rich in potassium and carbohydrates and are second only to chocolate in their ability to stimulate endorphin production.

Onions and garlic stimulate circulation and are high in vitamin C, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. They prevent making new acquaintances, but are suitable for eating together.

Caviar contains a lot of complete proteins, fat, vitamins A and D, zinc and other trace elements.

The Spanish fly (actually, they are not flies, but metallic-green bugs up to 2 cm long) is one of the most famous ancient aphrodisiacs. The famous libertine Marquis de Sade put the powder from dried Spanish flies in the food of his guests and enjoyed the orgies that subsequently occurred, and once during a visit to the brothel treated wine with Spanish flies prostitutes, who, flushed, went on the hunt for passing on the street men. If this is fiction, it is quite plausible. Lytta vesicatoria (ash borer) and its relatives belong to the Meloidae family of blister beetles. The body of these insects, which feed on the leaves of trees and shrubs, contains cantharidin, a poisonous substance that causes severe irritation of the urogenital system, a rush of blood and burning in the corresponding organs. The lethal dose of cantharidin for a man in a single oral intake is 40-80 mg, and regular use of small doses is fraught with the development of priapism (permanent erection) in men and swollen genitals in women. Cantharidin also affects the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. The most innocuous side effect of abuse of this drug is scarring of the urethra, and the most undesirable is death. The drops containing (at least, according to the manufacturers and sellers) an alcoholic solution of cantharidin, you can buy if you want, but it is better not to. The same can be achieved by using pharmacy preparations with far fewer potential complications.

 

Unlike rhinoceros horns, another Chinese folk remedy, the extract of uncured young deer horns (antlers), has entered the official pharmacopoeia. In addition to magic, antler preparations contain biologically active substances that increase blood pressure, general (and obviously sexual) performance, activity of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, skeletal muscle tone and intestinal motility. It should be taken half an hour before … a meal, not what you think. And preferably not from time to time, but with regular courses.

 

Tincture of Spanish fly, for all its shortcomings, contains an undoubtedly active chemical substance. This is a very effective way to obtain the strongest sedative power, which is directed only at the person who has the greatest influence on the organism, but which also has the greatest influence on the organism, because it is always necessary to have a strong influence on the organism. Because of the vagaries of Oriental medicine, the smallest species of rhinoceros, the Sumatran rhinoceros, and two other Asian species, the Indian and the Javanese rhinoceros, are practically extinct. African species – black and white rhinoceroses – are also on the verge of extinction, although many firms, which sell the cherished remedy, assure that they make do without lethal killings and politically correct use horns of animals that have died of their own death. You might as well grind cow horns and hooves: both they and the legendary rhinoceros horn (it’s not actually a horn, but a fused bundle of wool) and your own hair are mostly composed of the protein keratin, which even in hyena stomachs cannot be digested.

 

So what can help us?

Nuts are a very nutritious product. In addition to protein and vegetable fats (up to 55%), they contain various vitamins and trace elements. Almonds in particular are rich in vitamin E and pistachios in zinc.

Olives and olive oil are easy to digest, contain essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, improve digestion.

Sprouts of wheat contain a large number of vitamins and other biologically active substances.

Celery, parsley and a plant with the expressive name of lovage. These plants have a pronounced magical effect due to the shape and size of their roots (especially for lily of the valley, whose bushes reach 2 m in height). Besides this, their tops and roots contain a lot of vitamins and trace elements.

Dates are the “bread of the desert”. They contain up to 70% easily digestible carbohydrates and a lot of potassium, which, according to Bedouin folk medicine, compensates the effect of coffee, which overly invigorates (among other organs) the heart muscle.

Seafood is rich in iodine, zinc and other trace elements. Algae have practically no nutrients, but fish and shellfish are a source of complete proteins, essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins E and D.

Mushrooms. The shape of mushrooms speaks for itself. They are rich in zinc. Truffles and morels are considered particularly valuable.

This is yet another magical love potion: lamb’s or bull’s testicles. If in a Latin American restaurant they tell you that dishes made from them have a beneficial effect on male strength because they contain a large amount of testosterone, do not believe them. Heating destroys the hormone contained in testicles. But on the other hand there is no harm, and the effect of self-humiliation may well appear.

 

In the image and likeness

The old joke: oysters, oysters… It’s all a lie: yesterday I ate a dozen, but only five worked!

 

Oysters became famous as an aphrodisiac not only because of their spicy shape. As hermaphrodites with features of both sexes, they carry a double (magical!) charge of sexual energy. The same fact underlies another legend, according to which eating oysters shifts one’s sexual orientation to the non-traditional side.

 

 

 

In fact, oysters, especially when eaten regularly, not half an hour before, have a positive effect on health in general and potency in particular due to the high content of easily digestible proteins and trace elements, especially zinc, which is necessary for the synthesis of male sex hormones. If you can’t afford oysters, don’t worry: other seafood also contains a lot of zinc. Even a handful of hazelnuts or pumpkin seeds can provide enough zinc to get you through the day.

 

Because of the resemblance to the genitals or to the human figure, there is a whole group of other aphrodisiac drugs on the list. Let’s start again with the most dangerous.

 

In the Middle Ages, the mandrake root, which resembled a human figure, was considered very effective. It could be dug out only on the solstice night. One should try not to get his heart broken by the shriek of exhaustion emitted by the root when digging it out of the ground. In fact, the mandrake, which belongs to the Solanaceae family, contains poisonous alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. These substances excite the nervous system and are used in small doses in medicine, and their overdose can lead not only to hallucinations and psychosis, but also to death. The non-hazardous and even useful remedies on this list include ginseng root, which also looks like a man, parsley, celery and horseradish roots, and avocado fruit (what it all looks like, guess what).

 

There will be no harm

Placebo (Latin for “like”) is a pacifier pill that does not contain any medication, but in appearance (smell, taste) imitates a medication. It is used for control in clinical studies of new drugs, when one group of patients is given a placebo, and another – the real drug. In some cases (e.g., as antidepressants, analgesics, anti-allergic drugs) placebo relieves more than half of the patients in the control group.

 

Eating for pleasure

From the above it is clear that the effect of aphrodisiacs (not counting the placebo effect) is due to the content of various substances affecting both the body as a whole, and the individual organs and systems (sexual, nervous, cardiovascular). The list of such products is practically endless, and if you set out to improve your sex life by enriching your diet, do not necessarily chase expensive gimmicks: homegrown vegetables and fruits can work just as well.

 

If you do not know what to do and what to eat, you must be able to guess what you are looking for:

 

– easily digestible with the release of a sufficiently large amount of energy, without leaving a feeling of heaviness in the stomach;

 

– contain vitamins and trace elements that affect the functioning of glands, the synthesis of sex hormones and sperm (zinc, selenium, vitamins A, E, B1);

 

– Increase blood circulation, especially in the pelvic organs;

 

– Tone the body and increase stamina and performance (vitamins C, E);

 

– Improve the emotional state.

 

Read about the products that cope with this better than others, in the box.

What can help us?

Honey contains fructose, which is absorbed better and faster than sucrose, and in the liver is easier than other sugars to convert into glycogen – an emergency supply of carbohydrates. Honey and especially bee pollen contain a lot of restorative biologically active substances.

Horseradish is a plant antibiotic and contains vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.

Chocolate stimulates the production of pleasure hormones – endorphins that lift your mood and cause positive emotions. It is a source of high-calorie fats and carbohydrates.

Eggs are a source of easily digestible protein, vitamins A, B1 and zinc.

This list is not complete, but the main principles of the selection of aphrodisiac products are obvious. Experiment, guided by your gastronomic preferences, imagination and common sense. You can add a small amount of alcohol to the dinner “before” and just need a variety of spices, which not only enrich the taste of dishes, but also they are aphrodisiacs. You should pay special attention to anise, basil, vanilla, angelica, ginger, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, lovage (and equivalent celery and parsley), marjoram, nutmeg, red and black pepper, celery, cumin, dill, fennel.

 

Passion Flavors

Most of the plant substances that are traditionally called aromatic oils are not oils (fats), but esters, aldehydes or alcohols of the aromatic series. Many of them are extremely volatile and are used in the form of oil solutions or alcohol extracts. One thing they have in common is the presence of a subtle, multifaceted aroma. According to the statements of aromatherapists (not scientifically validated methods, but for what they bought – for that we sell), many herbal fragrances increase muscle tone, improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs, normalize the endocrine glands, suppress inflammatory processes, charge positive emotions, awaken sexual desire and increase potency.

 

In southern countries such as India, Egypt, China and Greece, where most aromatic plants are native, aromatic oils have been used for thousands of years for seduction and creating a romantic atmosphere. They are used to scent underwear and bedding, to fume rooms, to apply to skin and hair, and to massage and bath. Traditionally women are occupied with all these things, so let’s leave the description to ladies’ magazines, but the strong representatives of this world are quite able to create an erotic atmosphere in their cars, dripping a couple of drops of oil on the powerlessly hanging over the “torpedo” fragrance. It is possible to use not only separate oils for this purpose, but also any combinations of them – experiment on your health.

 

As everything in this world, aromatic oils are divided into two groups, according to the principle of correspondence to the male or female beginning. The most popular representatives of the female group are essential oils of bergamot, geranium, ylang-ylang, lavender and rosemary, and of the male group – patchouli and cedar.

 

The main principle of creating aromatic compositions is to follow your sensations and moods, as well as those of your partner. Do not forget that too many aromatic oils often have the opposite effect and can cause headaches. In addition, there is the possibility of encountering an individual intolerance to a particular component.

 

In conclusion, let’s repeat once again: the action of food, fragrances and pre-scientific remedies that are traditionally regarded as aphrodisiacs, in most cases, has not received a scientifically grounded confirmation (or, as in the case with the Spanish fly, it would be better not to receive it). Pay more attention to your diet, rest and sports – then aphrodisiacs (definitely, bambara-chufara, lorikee-yorikee!) will add spice to your life.