Cooking by the seat of our pants

Everybody knows that certain foods are regarded as having a positive effect on the libido, with things like oysters and chocolates flying off the shelves at times when romance is supposed to be in the air. While there are some scientific reasons why these things can have some effect on the sex drive (oysters, for example, contain zinc which is good for fertility, and chocolate has mood-boosting properties) a lot of the reputation around these aphrodisiac foods is based more on tradition than anything.

There are, however, some surprising foods that scientists have found increase sexual desire in men or women, along with some supplements that can help those with a low sex drive. Here are some of the natural aphrodisiacs you may not have heard about before:

Cucumbers

Cucumbers have been shown to increase sexual desire in women, and before you laugh, it’s not the shape that does it – it’s the smell. The smell of cucumber has been shown in laboratory tests to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs of women, and also induce feelings of sexual arousal. Eating cucumbers isn’t the only way to get their smell, of course, there are plenty of skincare products, body washes and cleansers that contain cucumber and have a cucumber fragrance, because it is also refreshing and hydrating.

Candy, Popcorn and Pizza!

Women also respond to the smell of licorice, whereas foods that illicit a positive effect on the sex drive from men by their smell alone include buttered popcorn and cheese pizza! The blood flow to the penises of men engaged in a trial increased by up to 9% when exposed to these aromas. While this all sounds very odd, it was proven by scientists!

Damiana Leaf

Damiana is a plant that has been used in remedies for libido problems for centuries, and has survived as a traditional aphrodisiac which many fans of natural supplements rave about. Damiana leaf is said to not only boost the sex drive of both men and women, but also have a similar effect on energy levels to caffeine. One of the easiest ways to try using Damiana Leaf, if you are interested in testing it out, is to buy a Damina tea. This is a pleasant and side-effect free way to add it to your diet.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an African herb which is often marketed as a natural alternative to Viagra. It is derived from the bark of a tree, and while it has been shown to help sexual performance in males in lab tests, it is not something that is standardized which makes it difficult to know if you are going to get the results you want. Doctors claim that many of the Yohimbe products on sale as natural alternatives to sexual performance drugs don’t have enough of the active ingredient in them to show a positive result. This is largely because too much Yohimbe can be highly dangerous, and the tolerances of different men vary.

About the author: Whilst researching natural aphrodisiacs, Emma decided to give Damiana Leaf tea a try. She really enjoyed the taste and is planning on introducing it to her boyfriend when she next sees him.

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