Six Herby Aphrodisiacs To Spice Up Your Sex Life

Some trends hang around for a few seasons, others for years. This one trend has been around for centuries, generations, from the beginnings of humanity.

Our ancestors were smarter when it came to bedroom antics than we give them credit for. From Cleopatra to the Mayan Kings, humanity has experimented with different foods, in search for the perfect aphrodisiac.

A recent publication from Canadian researchers found that the world’s most expensive spice, saffron, is indeed a lust enhancer. Include in foods or add its scent to a candle for the perfect lust-maker…

Let’s not stop with saffron though… we have six herbs and plants here that will tickle your fancy in more ways than one…

Saffron

Saffron is very popular in Mediterranean cuisine and throughout the Middle East and Asia. Cleopatra herself is said to have bathed in saffron scented waters before making love.

It has been suggested that part of saffron’s magical property is thought to be its enhancement of “lust” via certain neurotransmitters that stimulate libido or erogenous zones. Saffron may also lower blood pleasure and stimulate respiration.

Ginseng

We’ve seen this word in smoothie bars, but do we know what it really is? Ginseng is a traditional herb used in Chinese medicine to promote strength and longevity. It might be advertised as an energy-booster, that it is, but it is also proven to be a very effective aphrodisiac.

Chilli

If anything was to get hot and spicy, we’d have hazarded a guess chilli would be involved. Rumour has it that Montezuma spiced his daily chocolate potion with chilli before visiting his concubines. Chilli enhances arousal by helping to release endorphins, increasing the heart rate and creating a flush on the skin that mimics arousal signals.

Vanilla

Vanilla mightn’t be the most exciting adjective to describe your sex life with, but it really is a fantastic friend when it comes to the bedroom. The sweet and aromatic spice has a very rich, sexual history. Vanilla was an ingredient recommended by physicians and alchemists in the 1700s to boost male potency and change men “into astonishing lovers”. In the 1800s, a Dr. John King in America even swore by vanilla as the key to “stimulate the sexual propensities”. Maybe not the worst adjective for our sex lives anymore then…

Mint

This breath freshener makes kissing that bit more enjoyable, and it’s not just the modern chewing gum that has done this. Both the ancient Greeks and Roman’s are said to have made generous use of this lush, green plant. Mint contains vitamins such as A and C and magnesium, calcium and potassium, which are all important nutrients for sexual health.

Ginger

This root’s tangy hot scent can aid digestion and circulation, as well as subtly sensitising our erogenous zones. Oooh, more of that please…