Spice up this Valentine’s Day with Aphrodisiacal Herbs

Put some spice (or is that “spices”) into your love life this Valentine’s, literally!

Here are some herbs, spices, and recipes to “spice things up” a bit …

• Basil - There’s a reason the French call basil “herbe royale” - basil gives for an exciting sex life and also possess aphrodisiac powers!
• Cardamom is a sensual spice with aphrodisiac properties, and a stimulant especially if added to coffee. Its essential oil has an erotic effect. Cleopatra uses to take baths in cardamom!
• The Cayenne is a hot red chili pepper and when the fruits dried, baked and ground, Cayenne pepper powder is made. It heats the sexual drive!
• Capsicum (”Cayenne Cayenne”, “chili peppers” or “paprika”) increases blood circulation. The male penis benefits greatly from the ingestion of cayenne. It is a widely held belief that cayenne aids in longer lasting erections, with stronger ejaculations and more intense orgasms!
• Cinnamon is used in food for the aroma or as massage oil on the genitals for erotic stimulation.
• Coriander is a herb known as a stimulant since ancient Egypt and Palestine times. Add coriander to wine to increase the semen!
• Cloves is used as a spice or oil, that has strong antiseptic and stimulating properties. It is also used in some cultures in formulas for impotence.
• Garlic has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries in Europe and among the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Japanese. It is said to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, thus aiding digestion and increasing the blood flow. The Romans consecrated it to Ceres, the goddess of fertility.
• Ginger is used as a stimulant, the rootstock is eaten or it can be made into tea. It has hot qualities and heats like fire in the body.
• Mace and Nutmeg are two different spices from the same fruit. Nutmeg is the dried kernel and mace the dried shell which surrounds the seed. Nutmeg is more aromatic, sweeter and more delicate than mace and it is believed to impart strength and enhance sexual prowess. The main component is myristicin, the base of the “love drug” MDMA (ecstasy)! But use with cation, as large-quantities (over 25 g, ~5 teaspoons) can cause ‘nutmeg poisoning’! Nutmeg is an abortifacient, and as such any significant doses should also be avoided by pregnant women. (Nutmeg Risks)
• Mustard is a stimulant and irritant. The ground seeds and plant promote virility, therefore monks were forbidden to eat mustard.
• Parsley is a strong irritant in high doses, and is used as spice, or a decoction is made from its roots. Parsley should not be consumed by pregnant women as it can cause an abortion. It is also used as an aphrodisiac. The stalk is used for “love magic”, and the root is mixed into ointments intended to induce erotic energy.
• Peperoncini are Italian chillies and are used as a condiment, medicine or aphrodisiac. It has been a highly prized spice since the most ancient times.
• Pimento (or Cherry Pepper) is a stimulant and one of the most common spices in ancient America and Indian folk medicine. It warms the body and has aphrodisiacal effects, when taken in large quantities and combined, especially, with cocoa.
• Pepper is used as a stimulant and aphrodisiac. It contains alkaloids and has an irritating effects on mucous membranes. Cubeb pepper (Piper Cubeba), sometimes called Java pepper, has substances that stimulate the sex drive.
• Rosemary is a herb with a strong erotic effect upon the skin, ingested as spice, added to bath or wine. It contains essential oils with a psychotropic effect. In large quantities can be abortifacent. (Rosemary risks)
• Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of the Saffron Crocusca plant and has hot and dry qualities, stimulant or inebriant depending on dosage. Its sun dried filaments, ingested stimulates sexual desires for women. The essential oils evokes long, distinctive orgasms. In high doses saffron oil is abortive and toxic.
• Vanilla can be a stimulant and it’s ingested as a tincture, together with cocoa and arrow root. According to Mexican lore it is a powerful romance-enhancer. Legend has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, transformed herself into a vanilla plant when thwarted in the desire to marry a mere human. As a vanilla plant, the tale goes, she would provide pleasure and happiness for evermore. And indeed, vanilla’s aroma has been proven to evoke a pleasant and romantic feeling in most people!

It should remembered, however, that no single herb or spice will on its own probably achieve the desired “effect” on the libido. Rather, it is the combination of various sensuous reactions that create the required aphrodisiacal qualities:

• The visual stimulation of a beautiful setting, an attractively set table and appetizing food;
• The olfactory arousal brought about by the food’s gorgeous smells; and
• The substantial gratification effected by tasting and eating the glorious food, prepared with one or more of the spices and herbs described above.

Bottom line, for maximum aphrodisiacal effect on Valentine’s, be sure to set the proper mood on Valentine’s by pleasing all the senses!

Recipes for Valentine’s? Here are a few to get you started:

• Foods of Love Aphrodisiac Recipes
• Valentines day suggestions
• Valentine’s day menu suggestions with recipes
• Recipes for Love on StarChefs
• Valentine’s Day Recipes
• Valentine’s Day Recipes and Menu Ideas

A word of warning! The strongest aphrodisiacs are poisonous and overdoses can lead to death. Use psychotropic aphrodisiacs with caution. Herbs are unprocessed drugs and may interact with other medications. Obtain expert or medical advise if necessary. The contents on this page are informational only! Use and experiment at your own risk! We take no responsibility for use or misuse.