We've always enjoyed pomegranates for their sweet, tart flavor, but now there's a new reason to embrace this robust-looking red fruit. They're being touted as a nutritional powerhouse, and they're popping up in everything from cocktails to body lotion.

A prominent player in aphrodisiac lore, pomegranate was regaled as a culinary symbol of Aphrodite by the ancient Greeks. Some say the forbidden fruit of the Bible was not apple at all, but a pomegranate fruit. In other Western lore, the mythological unicorn was tied to a pomegranate tree. Since the early days of the written word, the promise of the pomegranate has made a lasting impression as a sensual symbol, appearing in poetic works of great authors from Homer to Shakespeare.

In the Orient, pomegranate has been used for generations to treat depression, settle sore stomachs and neutralize internal parasites. According to Chinese lore, this particular fruit, based upon its abundance of seeds, promotes and serves, as a symbol, of prosperity, in the form of an abundant household. Such abundance is measured in the size of the family, based, of course, on procreation. Hence, procreation is brought about through sexual interaction.

The fruit is also used frequently as a symbol in Christianity. The whole fruit is symbol of hope and eternal life. The seeds serve as a symbol of the Church and its many believers. Pomegranate brings a swatch of crimson color to many depictions of the Madonna and Christ, (including the famed portrait by Botticelli.

With its edible seeds inside juicy sacs, the pomegranate is high in vitamin C and potassium, low in calories (80 per serving, which is just under one-third of a medium fruit), and a good source of fiber. Pomegranates are especially high in polyphenols, a form of antioxidant purported to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. In fact, pomegranate juice, which contains health-boosting tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, has higher antioxidant activity than green tea and red wine. It’s because of antioxidants that the pomegranate became known for its passion power. It protects the lining of blood vessels, allowing more blood to course through them. The upshot? Increased genital sensitivity.

Although it is the stunning red seeds of the pomegranate tree that are held in regard as aphrodisiac, the plant’s roots also have medicinal use in treating fever as well as in wound care. (Please note that pomegranate bark used medicinally should only be administered by a professional. In too large a dose, the tree’s bark and roots can be toxic).

According to the American Dietetic Association, studies involving mice and humans show that eating pomegranates may help prevent clogged arteries. In addition, a recent study from Jonsson Cancer Center at UCLA found that levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen), a protein marker for prostate cancer, increased 35% more slowly in men with recurrent prostate cancer who drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily after surgery or radiation. (The study also found that it took 54 months to double PSA levels, compared to 15 months in men who did not drink the juice.) Increasing the time it takes for a man's PSA levels to double may postpone cancer recurrences and reduce his need to have other cancer treatment procedures, such as surgery or radiation, in the future.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, pomegranate

Are you suffering from low sexual confidence? Walnut may be a fruit for you to patronize. Some people have a constantly low libido, whereas others experience episodes of loss of libido. Walnuts are rich in protein, and high in potassium and other minerals such as zinc and iron. Because of this, it is being touted as an aphrodisiac. Besides this, the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts are helpful in protecting the body from cardiovascular diseases by preventing erratic rhythms in the heart, making the blood less likely to clot inside the arteries, and improving the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.

Mounting scientific research shows the health benefits of walnuts. Walnuts are the healthy nut and go beyond lowering cholesterol. A new clinical study from the University of Barcelona shows that substituting walnuts for monounsaturated fat in a Mediterranean diet improves, and even restores, endothelial function (the property of arteries to dilate in order to meet an increased demand of blood). Walnuts also reduce harmful cell adhesion molecules which are associated with atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries. These dual effects enhance the circulatory system, therefore aiding in the prevention of heart disease. According to the researchers, walnuts are the first whole food to show such cardiovascular benefits.

Walnuts are a complete aliment, and have a high energetic value: up to 6,500 calories per kilogram. This is due to their high content in polyunsaturated fats. They are also rich in iodine, they are considered good for preventing goiter caused by thyroid gland impairment and all hormonal unbalances associated with it.

Did you know that ancient Romans and other cultures threw walnuts instead of rice at weddings because they believed walnuts held aphrodisiac powers? Just recently, researchers announced they have produced a Viagra alternative from it too, the tablet called N-Hanz. The team of researchers at Universiti Malaya (UM) was able to its potentials as a local alternative to Viagra. Prof. Kim Kah Hwi, who headed the team of researchers, said he was inspired to look into walnuts after reading about their use in history and so far 40 volunteers had tried the tablet containing walnut extract and responded positively. Prof. Kim said the new pill was comparable to Viagra as well as safe, although a person would have to consume about 3.3kg of walnuts for the same effect as one tablet. He said, it takes about an hour for the effects to set in and it will last for about four hours. Furthermore, because it is not a drug, he said it is safe for those with hypertension or diabetes, or (those) who have recently had heart by passes, adding that some of the volunteers had undergone bypass surgeries.

Prof Kim said the active ingredient was arginine, an amino acid that is absorbed into the body and converted into nitric oxide known to help to enlarge blood vessels and enhance blood flow to the penis. All these foods that have aphrodisiac properties are within easy reach, including walnut, and so low libido should no more be a dilemma.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, walnut

This is a guest post by one of Love Potion's readers, Deborah H. Land

a. Myths about Cholesterol – the Good and Bad Sides

Most people think that cholesterol is always bad, but there are actually two types of cholesterol. LDL is considered the "bad" cholesterol, and HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol. If there is too much LDL in our bloodstream, it will form plaque on our arteries. Over time, this narrows our arteries and can eventually block blood flow completely. Dietary cholesterol actually isn't the primary reason for high cholesterol in the blood; it is high amounts of saturated fat and trans fat. To keep cholesterol low, you should eat unsaturated fats, eat fibrous foods, and exercise more.


b. The Meaning of Numbers in Cholesterol

Adults should see to it that they have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. Four results are given to you, which will show the levels for your LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Should you find your cholesterol levels over or even under the normal range, you need to diet and exercise as a result.
Total Cholesterol - less than 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L)
LDL Cholesterol - less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
HDL Cholesterol - greater than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)
Triglycerides - less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)


c. Can Vitamin E Protect Your Heart?

Vegetable oils, nuts and leafy vegetables are good sources of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is not proven to stop you from getting a stroke, but it can lessen your heart disease risk level.


d. Five Fabulous Foods to Decrease Cholesterol Levels

1. Oatmeal and Oat Bran: These contain a high amount of soluble fiber, which can lower LDL.

2. Fish: Fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which lowers LDL and raises HDL.

3. Nuts: Not only are nuts high in fiber, but they contain the healthy fats you need to keep LDL in check.

4. Plant Sterols: This is found in foods like margarine, salad dressing, orange juice, and functional cookies. 2 grams per day will lower your LDL by 10-15%.

5. Soy: This popular meat replacement can lower LDL by up to 3%.



e. Plant Sterols and Benefits to Health
Foods such as VitaTops Muffin Tops, Benecol Spread, granola bars and fat free milk are rich sources of plant sterols. You can easily help your heart when you start eating foods packed with plant sterols and avoid eating foods that contain saturated fats. A saturated fat-filled diet is not canceled out by this. Exercising often as well as eating healthy food will keep your cholesterol in check.



About the Writer - Deborah H. Land writes for the cholesterol diet foods site, her personal hobby blog she uses to help people lower bad cholesterol levels.



Tagged as: love, cholesterol, healthy, diet

Cordyceps sinensis is a type of fungus that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Cordyceps is also known as Chinese catepillar fungus, because it is a parasite that grows on the Tibetan caterpillar until the caterpillar dies, at which point it sprouts a mushroom. (Don’t worry; most cordyceps produced commercially in Western countries is actually grown on plant sources, such as soybeans.)

Traditionally, it is cultivated in the Chinese highlands and also in Nepal and Tibet, at altitudes above 10,000 feet. The Chinese have long used cordyceps to promote overall good health. It’s hard to imagine that it ever got noticed and discovered, let alone that it’s now become one of the most sought after medicinal mushrooms in the world.

Since the time of Christ, Oriental physicians have administered Cordyceps sinensis to improve physical as well as sexual prowess and stamina. The earliest written record of this can be found in the book The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman from around 200 A.D.

The normal life cycle of the “Caterpillar fungus” consists of parasitizing on non-vital tissue of the silk-worm caterpillar. In the end, it overwhelms its host (the caterpillar), kills it, and sprouts out of the dead carcass. That doesn’t sound like anything you would want to put in your mouth, does it? Well, have no fear. With modern technology, Cordyceps sinensis mycelium can now be grown on a bed of rice medium. The extract of the fungus grown in this way contains the same compounds as wild harvested specimens. An additional perk is that it is much less likely to contain any traces of other types of fungi, bacteria, or heavy metals.

Cordyceps sinensis has a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. Recent studies performed in both China and Japan demonstrated a 64 percent success rate among men suffering from impotence. Scientists have isolated two chemical constituents in cordyceps, (deoxyadenosine) and cordycepic acid (mannitol), which are thought to be the active compounds that increase sex drive. These same compounds are also thought to improve lung function and increase energy levels; it is well known that Chinese athletes use cordyceps to help increase their stamina and endurance. It has been theorized that cordyceps enhances athletic performance because it helps increase blood flow and oxygen supply throughout the body, which helps the heart, lungs, and other organs function more efficiently. In one study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers reported that athletes who took 4.5 grams of cordyceps daily for six weeks had double the rate of oxygen intake as those in the placebo group.

So what’s the mechanism behind Cordyceps’ apparent effect as an aphrodisiac and sexual potentiator? The following three factors may help explain:

Cordyceps sinensis has been shown to improve physical vitality and stamina in general. In 1993, a group of nine Chinese women set world records at the Chinese National Games. When asked about the secret to their success, they attributed it to their use of Cordyceps.

Cordyceps sinensis helps dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow which is certainly an important factor in erectile function.

Thirdly and perhaps most important of all is that two studies have shown Cordyceps sinensis to “significantly increase” the production of testosterone in males.

Modern research also suggests that cordyceps also improve our immune system. It also appears to act as an antioxidant in the body, protecting it from free radical damage.

Cordyceps gathered in the wild, particularly in the Tibetan regions, is thought to be the most medicinally potent. You can buy wild cordyceps in some Chinese specialty stores, still attached to the caterpillar. However, this form is expensive, and costs up to $10 a gram. In addition, there is some concern that imported wild cordyceps may carry the risk of lead poisoning, because some fungus harvesters attach a lead filament to caterpillar-grown cordyceps in order to increase its weight and get a higher price. Dietary supplements containing cordyceps are a safer and less-expensive alternative, and are not associated with any significant side effects. Cordyceps is available in capsule, extract, and tincture forms at health food stores and from online distributors. The suggested dosage is 2 to 3 grams each day with meals.



Tagged as: love, sex, aphrodisiac, cordyceps