Latin Name: Pinus edulis. Other Pinus species also

Other Names: Piñon, pinyon

Many nuts are rich in zinc, a lack of which is said to cause impotence and infertility in men. Pine nuts especially have been used throughout the Mediterranean and the East for centuries to make up love potions. The Roman poet Ovid (a vegetarian) in his work 'The Art of Love' selected 'the nuts that the sharp-leafed pine brings forth' as an effective and powerful aphrodisiac. The Perfumed Garden, (an ancient Arabic love manual), contains many references to pine nuts including this prescription to restore a man's sexual vigor by Galen in 200 AD: "A glass of thick honey, plus 20 almonds and 100 pine nuts repeated for three nights." Nuts have also been found to be an effective brain food, due to a substance called boron that increases electrical activity in the brain. "Pine nuts first got their aphrodisiac reputation from the effort required to get them. They're nestled in the cones of the pine tree, and the best were said to come from the Himalayas," says Martha Hopkins, author of InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook. Like most nuts, they also offer protective cardiovascular benefits and are especially good sources of thiamin, iron, magnesium, and manganese, explains Mittler. Zinc also helps the immune system and promotes wound healing.

Another curiosity: the pine nut with most aphrodisiac power is the type that comes from the PINUS GERARDIANA, a pine tree who grows only in the NW side of the Himalaya Mountains at a height between 2000 and 4000 meters.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, pine nuts

We found 10 foods that are linked with love. Sample the recipes in our countdown with your sweetie and find out if these aphrodisiacs really work!

#10 Avocado
It could be the sensuous pear shape or the rich flavor of the fruit that gives avocado its aphrodisiac reputation. Whether added to salad, pureed in soups or chopped into the perfect bowl of fresh guacamole, the sea-green treat is perfect on your Valentine's table.

#9 Bananas
Rich in potassium and vitamin B, bananas are a feel-good food. For a sweet overindulgence, try a banana milkshake made with ripe bananas, milk and honey. According to banana.com, the combination will calm your stomach and re-regulate your blood sugar.

#8 Chili Peppers
This invigorating spice has an exotic reputation and stimulates endorphins. No wonder it is considered a symbol of love. Arriba!

#7 Honey
Birds and bees ring a bell? Honey is made through pollination and is a symbol of procreation. The word "honeymoon" got its name from mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, which was given to the happy couple.

#6 Pine Nuts
High in energizing zinc, pine nuts are also considered aphrodisiacs because of the effort required to procure these oily gems from pinecones.

#5 Figs
Used by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the fig paradoxically symbolizes both sexuality and modesty.

#4 Arugula
According to gourmetsleuth.com, this peppery plant has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. Toss it in a vibrant salad to give it a try.

#3 Oysters
One of the most notorious aphrodisiacs, oysters are high in zinc and have a reputation for being great for love and fertility.

#2 Coffee
The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that ups the heart rate and makes the blood flow. Additionally, it is the top source of antioxidants in the American diet, according to a 2005 University of Scranton study.

#1 Chocolate
The mysterious powers of chocolate are well loved. Whatever is in the sweet substance that sends us running back for more, it's definitely indispensable to Valentine's Day.


Source: Reader's Digest.com



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, valentines

Norman Cousins used this tool to recover from a serious illness. Savvy couples have used it to revive excitement in a relationship. Singles have used it to calm nerves and rev up enjoyment during dates. What is the free tool that can heal your body, increase intimacy, and prolong your life?

Laughter is the best aphrodisiac that also adds happy years to your life.

How?

The health benefits of laughter have been proven in plenty of scientific research. Laughter releases endorphins, the brain's feel-good chemicals, giving us a natural high. A belly laugh also reduces the stress hormone cortisol and boosts your immune system by almost 40%. A strong immune system helps you fight disease and stay healthy.

A hearty bout of laughter also stimulates circulation and gives your abdominal muscles a good workout. Good blood flow and fit muscles help you enjoy an active sex life throughout life.

I once worked on a film for television, directed by JoAnne Woodward who'd said, "Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but a man that can make you laugh everyday, ah, now THAT'S a real treat."

Joanne Woodward was happily married to Paul Newman for over 40 years until his recent death. I feel for her as she grieves the loss of their true love and daily laughter.

Since we know the health and happiness benefits of laughter, why aren't we all using this tool more often?

You may not feel like laughing when worries weigh you down in challenging times. Yet, this is when you need a big dose of laughter to lift your spirits. Researchers tell us that your body doesn't know the difference between genuine or faked laughter -- the health benefits are the same.

Should you fake it until you feel it?

It's definitely worth a try. Some spas now use laughter exercises to warm up a group as they bellow a hearty, "ho, ho, ho--ha, ha, ha," while they look in the eye of each person in the room. This faked laughter often leads to the real thing, stimulating a twinkle in the eye and a rosy glow in your cheeks.

If you can't find someone to laugh with or something to laugh about, you may be overlooking the greatest source of amusement--yourself. When you can laugh at your quirks instead of being self critical, you know a secret to a happy life.

Is laughter an aphrodisiac?

Who says sex has to be so serious? Humor is a secret of a happy love life. A playful attitude is sexy, when you leave your worries and inhibitions behind. Put-down humor is cruel--never a turn on for your partner.

You can spark up your romantic routine by telling an erotically-charged joke as foreplay or between caresses. There are books of hot jokes so you don't have to write them--only share your favorites to heat up your libido and lovemaking.

I suggest you find ways to use laughter to relieve stress, revive intimacy and rev up sexual vitality and happiness in your relationship.


Click here to view source.

How to make people laugh? Click here.


Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, laughter

Fennel’s botanical name is Foeniculum vulgare and it belongs to the Apiaceae family which also includes plants like parsley and carrot. Fennel is native to southern Europe though it is now naturalized in northern Europe, North America and Australia besides being cultivated almost all over the world. Fennel is related to plants like cumin, dill, anise and caraway in that all these herbs bear small, aromatic fruits which are popularly called seeds.

Fennel has a long history of magical, medicinal and culinary uses. The first known use of the herb was made by the ancient Egyptians who regarded fennel as a potent nutritional supplement and libido booster and employed the herb in various medicinal and culinary recipes. In ancient China, fennel was believed to treat cases of snake bite too. In Ancient Greece, fennel was called marathon for its association with strength, longevity and courage. Pliny the Elder, the legendary Roman scientist and scholar, promoted fennel’s medicinal properties and recommended approximately two-dozen remedies using fennel.

From the medicinal, it was a small step to the magical when fennel was started to be used in the Middle Ages as protection against witches and evil spirits and accordingly hung over the doorway of houses on Midsummer Eve. Eventually fennel came to be used as an important ingredient in love potions, a tradition which continued with modifications till recent times as evidenced by fennel’s presence in modern stimulants like absinthe.

The key to fennel’s reputation as an aphrodisiac lies in the fact that the plant contains certain compounds that are similar to the female hormone estrogen. These plant-based estrogen-like compounds are known as phytoestrogen and are believed to stimulate sexual desire among women. Probably for this reason too, fennel was used as a breast enlarger in folk medicine. In fact, so rich is fennel in phytoestrogens that in the 1930s, the herb was considered as a source for producing synthetic estrogens.

Besides working directly to enhance the libido, fennel is packed with valuable nutrients essential for building up immunity and the proper functioning of all systems of the body including the sex organs. The herb is rich in fiber, vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron, all of which are essential for a healthy sex life. Being stocked with essential vitamins and minerals, fennel has powerful antioxidant properties which prevents signs of aging and helps to boost immunity, longevity and sexual vigor.

Fennel has been known to alleviate several types of gynecological disorders. One example is its ability to encourage menstruation among women suffering from absence of or scanty periods. According to traditional medicine, the herb is also an effective means of reducing distressing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings related to pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause.

Fennel oil is sweet and aromatic which has been traditionally used to stimulate sexual desire in women by appealing to the olfactory senses. In fact, fennel seeds were chewed to obtain sweet-smelling breath in the past when artificial mints and breath fresheners were not available. And everyone knows how conducive a fresh, sweet smelling breath is to amorous encounters! This is also one reason why the essential oil made from fennel seeds has emerged as a significant ingredient in the manufacture of perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals in modern times.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, fennel