Garden Goods With Bedroom Benefits

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Make your garden and your libido bloom with these four aphrodisiac foods.


Sure, we’ve all heard that oysters are a turn on, but what about the things that make your garden and your appetite grow? We consulted the author Helen Yoest’s new book, Plants with Benefits (St. Lynn’s Press). Her criteria? A plant had to have one or more of three qualities that could affect our pleasure centres, such as a suggestive shape or aroma; stirring brain chemistry by increasing blood flow to all the right places; and a close connection in hormone makeup to our own.

“But I couldn’t ignore the fourth,” says Yoest. “A plant that promotes health and vigour – with an aphrodisiac history.”

Here’s what will turn you on.

Avocado

“The Aztecs dubbed the tree āhuacatl (pronounced ah-hoo-ah-cattle), which translates to testicle – probably due to the fruit’s tendency to grow and hang in pairs. A single avocado contains 23 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of folate (B9), and folate stimulates semen production. Also rich in zinc, B6, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids, among an impressively long list, the avocado is one of the most nutritious fruits.”


Pomegranate

“This fruit is packed with micronutrients such as polyphenols (specifically, tannins and flavonoids, which are known to increase female libido), and zinc (critical for a man’s sexual performance).”



Vanilla

“The aphrodisiac qualities are believed to come from the scent and flavour of the vanilla seedpod – with particular benefit arising when paired with chocolate … ancient Aztecs mixed vanilla with chocolate to make a potent aphrodisiac drink.”


Garlic

“has a long reputation for increasing sexual drive. In India, the ancient Laws of Manu forbade the eating of garlic by Brahmins because it stirred the passions. Today, many Eastern celibate orders, including Tibetan Buddhist monks, abstain from garlic for the same reason.” Just make sure you pack a breath mint.  —Vivian Vassos