Natural Aphrodisiacs

An aphrodisiac is a substance which is consumed by people and believed to enhance either sexual desire or performance. Many food, herbs and spices are said to be sexual enhancers, but not all of these claims are true. People who are suffering from reduced sex drive due to various reasons like illness, stress or menopause in women often opt to use aphrodisiacs either natural or chemical in a bid to get the zing back into their sex life. It is of course always better to use natural aphrodisiacs before resorting to chemical ones.

Natural Aphrodisiac Foods

Here is a list of natural aphrodisiac foods that are very popular.

Oysters - Oysters are one of the best known natural aphrodisiac. Oysters are a kind of shellfish and are considered to be gourmet food. It is rich in zinc, which is believed to be a key mineral that helps in the production of testosterone. High levels of testosterone is linked with heightened sexual awareness as well as greater sexual desire in both men as well as women.

Chili - Another natural aphrodisiac is different types of chili, from colorful bell peppers to the potent bird eye chili. Chillies contain capsaicin which is a chemical that is believed to release endorphins in our body. This stimulates the nerve endings, making the body highly sensitive and increasing the pulse. One of the reasons chillies are considered to be an aphrodisiac is that after consuming chillies, a person's body temperature rises, he/she has flushed cheeks which are classic signs of sexual arousal.

Figs - Fig is a fruit that is believed to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs. Figs contain magnesium which is one of the most vital minerals required to produce sex hormones in the body.

Chocolates - Dark chocolate which contains 70 to 80 percent pure cocoa is also another natural aphrodisiac. Traditionally chocolates has always been considered as sensual food that tempts a person to have more. It contains chemicals called phenylethylamine and tryptophan which increases sexual desire. Phenylethylamine also releases dopamine in the brain and this induces sexual excitement.

Wasabi - A good natural aphrodisiac for women, wasabi is nothing but Japanese horseradish. It acts as a natural stimulant and increases blood circulation in the body. A bit of wasabi in your salad can also stimulate the nerves of the body.

Avocado - Avocado is another food that is considered to be an aphrodisiac. It contains bromocriptine which increases sexual desire in both men and women. In addition to this it also contains vitamin E, vitamin B6 and potassium which provides the body with energy.

Garlic - Because of its pungent aroma, garlic is often overlooked as an aphrodisiac. However, garlic is actually one of the oldest aphrodisiacs known to men. Eating raw crushed garlic is believed to increase sexual desire in men.

Celery - Celery is a female aphrodisiac and it is believed to increase sexuality and desire. It contains androsterone which is a male hormone and it stimulates sexual arousal in women. Celery can be easily incorporated into the diet by adding them in soups and stews.

Other aphrodisiac foods for women as well as men are pine nuts, lobster, asparagus, bananas, strawberries, ginseng, sweet basil, cinnamon and honey. In addition to these foods, aphrodisiac scents like jasmine, ylang ylang, bergamot and rose essential oil, also increases sexual desire in men and women.