Forget perfume, the keys to spicing up your Valentine's Day and sex life may already be in your kitchen.

Researchers say the smell, taste, and even appearance of certain foods can act as potent aphrodisiacs that not only get you in the mood for love, but also may even make you a better flirt and lover. And knowing what foods are appropriate at each stage of the sex and mating process can maximize these effects.

"Different foods have different nutrients and substances that affect the body physiologically in different ways, that's why different foods work for different stages," says clinical sexologist Ava Cadell, PhD. "Some foods lower inhibitions, some get the blood flowing directly to the genitalia, and some foods release happy hormones."

Cadell has grouped aphrodisiacs into three groups based on the physiological effects they have on the body and how those effects can enhance sexual performance at each stage of a person's sex life.

Foods for Flirting

When looking for a potential mate, Cadell says it's important to choose foods that secrete chemicals and hormones that make you happy in order to increase self-confidence, lower inhibitions, and make you a better flirt.

Flirt-friendly foods include:

• Chili peppers. Spicy foods get the heart pumping and induce sweating.
• Bananas. They contain chemicals that reportedly have a mood-lifting effect on the brain and raises self-confidence.
• Carrots. Their phallic appearance and high-fiber content may induce sexual desire.

Foods for Seduction

In the next stage, seduction, aphrodisiacs can help trigger the release of sex hormones, such as testosterone, provide a quick energy boost, and increase blood flow to the genitals to get the body "in the mood" for love.

At this stage, Cadell says it's important to create a visual stimulation with foods that look like the genitalia, such as oysters, fresh figs, or carrots.

"Anything that is visually erotic is automatically going to set your brain in motion," says Cadell. "Second, certain foods release hormones, like testosterone in women that makes them more sexually aggressive and adventurous."

Other foods for seduction include:

• Shrimp. High in iodine, shrimp and other types of seafood are vital to the thyroid gland, which is vital for energy.
• Chocolate. Not only does chocolate provide a jolt of caffeine, the plant has a flower that looks like sex organs.
• Ginger. This root reportedly increases blood flow to the genitals in both men and women.
• Olives. Green ones are believed to make men more virile, while black ones increase women's sex drive.
• Tomatoes. Known as "love apples" by Puritans, they have a reputation as a sexual stimulant.
• Apples. Since Adam and Eve, this fruit has been synonymous with temptation.

"My favorite thing is that when you're with someone is to feed each other with the most seductive foods you can find," says Cadell, "like an asparagus where one person can start at one end and another at the other end and you meet in the middle."

Cadell says not only is asparagus a sexy, long, phallic-looking food, but it's rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin E that can aid in hormone production and raising energy levels.

Foods for Sexual Performance

When it comes to the final stage of exploration and orgasm, even the scent alone of some aphrodisiacs may be enough to increase sexual arousal and enhance performance.

"Depending on where you are in your relationship you may want to use different food odors and tastes, since 90% of taste is smell, to get the different responses you're looking for," says Alan R. Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

In a study that looked at what scents stimulated sexual arousal, Hirsch found every food aroma they tested triggered a sexual response in men, and some foods had more dramatic effects than others.

"For example, cheese pizza increased penile blood flow by 5%, buttered popcorn by 9%, and lavender and pumpkin pie by 40%," Hirsch tells WebMD. "So you may want to start with something like cheese pizza to begin with."

In comparison, floral perfume only prompted a 3% increase in blood flow to the penis among men. Among women, the smell of men's cologne actually lowered blood flow to the vagina.

The study also found that the scent of lavender and pumpkin pie was a powerful sexual stimulant for women, but the combination of Good and Plenty (licorice-flavored candy) and cucumber was the most potent sexual scent in increasing blood flow to the vaginal area.

Unlike with men, the study found that some food smells actually inhibited sexual desire in women, such as cherries and the odor of barbeque or roasting meat.

A Smorgasbord of Aphrodisiacs

Hirsch says there are a number of different theories about why foods have such a strong effect on sexual attraction and performance, but it's likely a combination of physiological and psychological responses at work. Because the effects of different foods are linked to past experiences, the sexual potency of various tastes and smells naturally vary greatly from person to person.

That's why both Cadell and Hirsch recommend having fun with trying different aphrodisiacs to see what adds the right spice to your sex life.

"Have a smorgasbord of aphrodisiacs, because they're not all going to appeal to everybody," says Cadell.

According to the FDA, there is no scientific proof that any over-the-counter aphrodisiacs or foods can treat sexual dysfunction. In fact, over-indulgence in food or drink is a sure way to doom sexual performance and dampen desire.

But while aphrodisiacs may not be a quick fix all your sexual problems, Cadell says the natural aphrodisiacs found in foods are not dangerous.

"Let's be honest, the most erotic organ is the brain. So if you think something will turn you on, I guarantee it will," says Cadell. "There has always been a correlation between food and sex because they are two of greatest pleasures known to mankind, and both appetites need to be fulfilled."

Published Jan. 26, 2004.

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http://my.webmd.com/content/article/12/1687_51342.htm

Love Grub

'In the Mood' Food

Feb. 1, 2002 -- Oh, it sounds so easy. Looking to boost your sexual magnetism? How about some vanilla and cinnamon? Finding it hard to get into the mood? Try a little yohimbine and damiana. Want to get the attention of that cute guy in the next cubicle? Bring in a pumpkin pie and some sprigs of lavender.

Aphrodisiac, a word derived from the name of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, has come to mean anything that increases sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs don't cure sexual problems, such as impotence -- they're simply the items people use to spice things up in the bedroom. And they can be as exotic as an ancient herbal tonic or, as recent research shows, mundane as pie served for Thanksgiving.

Century after century, cultures from around the world have touted their own recipes for igniting sexual passion, but the effectiveness of many of these aphrodisiacs may be only as good as the stories behind them. From Chinese rural villages to modern-day Manhattan, prescriptions for charging up the libido have ranged from sipping an herbal tea to putting on a Barry White record, from lighting some scented candles to adding dollops of whipped cream to the body.

So what works and what doesn't? Turns out the evidence is sparse -- and that some supposed aphrodisiacs may owe their reputations more to their smell and appearance than any sexual magic experienced by those who eat them.

"I haven't seen anything in the literature that says eating 10 oysters will get you hot and horny," says Linda Banner, a board certified sex therapist in San Jose, Calif., and a member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

There aren't many scientific studies validating claims that certain foods or herbs actually increase sexual arousal, but oysters are one of those love potion foods with a long anecdotal history as a remedy d'amour. And there is some science on them. It turns out oysters are chock-full of zinc, a mineral that apparently helps the prostate gland, according to Chris Meletis, chief medical officer at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Ore. (While the prostate is not directly linked to sexual performance, Meletis argues that good overall health is vital to sexual functioning.) Research has shown that men with zinc deficiencies have a low sperm count.

What turns him on -- pizza or pumpkin pie?

It wasn't oysters that increased blood flow to the genitalia in research conducted by Alan Hirsch, MD, a neurologist and psychiatrist who is the neurological director at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. Hirsch's findings suggest a way to a person's heart is not through the stomach, but through the nose -- and the smell of oysters didn't put any of the study participants in the mood.

Hirsch and his colleagues measured the effects certain aromas had on penile and vaginal blood flow. And what got the men in mood?

"Baked cinnamon buns had more effects than all the perfumes together," Hirsch says. The combination of the scent of pumpkin pie and lavender also boosted penile blood flow the most. The runner-up was the scent of doughnuts and black licorice combined, followed by the aroma of pumpkin pie coupled with the smell of doughnuts.

The guys also responded strongly to the smells of cheese pizza and buttered popcorn. Older men seemed to like vanilla, Hirsch says, while men who had frequent sexual intercourse responded strongly to the scent of strawberries.

And what did the ladies like? A licorice-like candy called Good&Plenty combined with cucumber appeared to increase vaginal blood flow the most. Runner-up to those smells were the scents of Good&Plenty combined with banana nut bread.

What turned the women off were things typically associated with male smells: men's colognes and the scent of barbecued meat. The smell of cherries also had an adverse effect on vaginal blood flow. These studies appeared in the January/February 1998 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, in the May 27, 1998, issue of Biological Psychiatry, and in the June 3, 1998, issue of Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality.

"Odors are intricately associated with sexual arousal," Hirsch says. While pumpkin pie and licorice don't normally spring to mind as sexually enticing, Hirsch explains that their smells may trigger feelings of comfort, security and nostalgia, which can lower anxiety, a major mood breaker. "Realize odors have an impact."

The nose isn't the only way to rev things up. Visual stimulation also has a long history and experts say men, more so than women, appear to be turned on by what they see. Ellen Albertson, a registered dietitian and co-host with her husband of the "Cooking Couple Show," a radio show broadcasted from WMAX in Boston, says any food that looks remotely like male or female genitalia, such as asparagus or a peach, has been claimed to work as an aphrodisiac.

"People thought if you ate (foods shaped like) genitalia, you would be imbibing those qualities," Albertson says. Foods also associated with fertility, such as caviar and other types of eggs, were thought to improve one's sex life, Albertson says, but she points out there's no scientific data to suggest this is more than just folklore.

In the market for some herbal help?

While the smells or sight of herbs may not put people in the mood for love, some research shows the chemical properties of a handful of herbs have physiological effects that can benefit lovemaking. Some scientific evidence indirectly suggests ginseng, ginkgo biloba, yohimbine, and an amino acid sold as a dietary supplement called arginine have positive effects on the libido, says naturopath Meletis.

Yohimbine appears to have the most scientific evidence directly linking it to an improvement in sexual function. The herb comes from the bark of a tree native to Africa and was used in African cultures to stimulate erections. A 1996 study published in the August issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior concluded yohimbine does indeed help men who have problems getting and maintaining erections. The herb not only appears to increase blood flow, but also seems to have an effect on the brain's chemistry. However, this African tree bark does appear to come with a bite: It can raise blood pressure and boost the effects of blood pressure medications and monoamine inhibitors, a group of antidepressant drugs. Yohimbine also doesn't appear to be as effective among women.

Some scientific evidence indicates ginseng, long used by many Asian societies as an aphrodisiac, improves blood circulation, and healthy blood flow is key to sexual arousal. Ginseng relaxes the artery walls, allowing blood to flow more easily. Viagra, the blockbuster anti-impotence drug, works in a similar way by increasing nitric oxide, which helps the arteries to relax. Meletis says ginseng also increases sperm count, though there was nothing found in published medical journals to substantiate that.

Research has shown that ginkgo biloba, like ginseng, can also increase blood flow. In a study conducted at the University of California in San Francisco, a group of men and women who suffered sexual problems as a side effect of taking antidepressants took 200 milligrams of ginkgo daily: 84% of them reported an improvement in sexual function. However, the study was flawed by the absence of a control group to account for possible placebo effects.

Arginine is an amino acid found naturally in many foods, including beef liver, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and raw almonds, according to Albertson. While none of those may whet your sexual appetite, arginine is key for the production of nitric oxide, and therefore also helps with blood flow. But studies among impotent men have produced conflicting results.

"The brain is the biggest sex organ."

"I doubt that any of these (herbs) are very potent aphrodisiacs," says John Renner, MD, a family physician and president of the National Council for Reliable Health Information in Independence, Mo. "I have a feeling the power of suggestion would be the overriding thing here. If there was any potent force there, they would have become bestsellers."

Milk chocolate also contains some arginine, says dietitian Ellen Albertson, which may sound more appealing than digging into a plate of beef liver. And chocolate has always been a top seller. Its history as an aphrodisiac goes back hundreds of years, to the bygone cultures of Central America. Montezuma, the 16th-century Aztec king, reportedly drank 50 cups of a chocolate beverage before entering his harem. It's also the centerpiece of Valentine's Day and now there's some science to back up what the Mayas and Aztecs suspected. Components of chocolate may influence serotonin, a chemical that affects mood, says Renner.

But when it comes to being in the right mood, all the chocolate, ginseng, and pumpkin pie isn't going to help if you're not in the right psychological frame of mind to begin with.

"The brain is the biggest sex organ," says sex therapist Linda Banner. "If you feel good (mentally), you're going to be much more sexually aroused."

Naturopaths, family doctors, sex therapists, and psychologists agree: Aphrodisiacs aren't going to do a thing if you're not psychologically healthy. And many experts think aphrodisiacs only work by the power of psychological suggestion anyway. "To be perfectly candid with you, (aphrodisiacs) don't work," says Sandra A. Davis, a psychotherapist and a board-certified sex therapist. "It's mostly placebo. ? They can shift your frame of mind."

Medically reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, January 2002.

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http://www.raysahelian.com/aphrodisiacs.html  (there's lots more on this page)
The seven herbs in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, Muira Puama, Tribulus, Tongkat ali, and Yohimbe.

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http://www.physiciansselect.com/herbal-supplements-male.htm

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http://www.bodyjam.com/sexual_health.php3

Seven Essential Elements of Sexual Fitness How does one truly achieve sexual health and vitality? Amy Hendel, medical correspondent and health expert will clue you in.

1. Diet - A balanced diet will usually keep your sexual health intact and functioning well. Fad diets will wreak havoc with your sex life. Foods that contain Vitamin E, niacin, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and the amino acid L-arginine offer the best in sexual nutrition. We'll highlight the 10 best foods in a bit.

2. Supplements - a balanced multivitamin will enhance a balanced diet for optimal sexual health. Again the supplement should contain Vitamin E, zinc, niacin, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Folic acid, manganese Vitamin C and copper and selenium may also have implications for sperm health, prostate health, and other aspects of sexual health. And some amino acids have applications.

3. Medications - we do know that certain blood pressure medications, as well as nicotine, alcohol and caffeine can compromise your sexual fitness. Tranquilizers and birth control pills may also present negative side effects.

4. Sensual stimulation - Using scents, oils, massage and other techniques will help arousal and should be considered significantly important in the total picture of sexual fitness.

5. Exercise - improves cardiac fitness and stamina, boosts energy levels, reduces stress and improves self esteem and body image. It may also help with circulation to the genital organs.

6. Sleep - inadequate amounts can reduce sexual fitness and performance and even interfere with orgasm and erection.

7. Stress reduction - when we are stressed we often do not make time for sex or we rush it and make it mechanical. Stress can also shut off libido and sexual pleasure and satisfaction. Stress reduction is vital to sexual enjoyment - doing yoga or other reduction techniques as a couple can even be a form of foreplay.