Potions, Positions & Last Words
For thousands of years, people have searched for and dreamt of some fancy love potion with vim and vigor.
For many, February is the month of romance. I received a frenzy of email request for Valentine's recipe and the types of ingredients with aphrodisiac properties. Hence this post!
Aphrodisiac ingredients are any food that's supposed to arouse sexual instinct. Bring on desire, or increases sexual pleasure or performance. And I don't think you want me to write about chocolate, strawberries, and champagne.
For thousands of years, people have searched for and dreamt of some fancy love potion with vim and vigor.
As it turns out, my ancestors have gifted the world many unique lifestyles. Yoga is the union of self and universal spirit. Ayurveda is the science of life and health and Kama Sutra...
The last chapter of the Kama Sutra is devoted to potions, rituals, and aphrodisiac recipes. Each recipe lists a variety of botanicals, spices, and ritual devices. Along with some weird ingredients to enhance your sex life. (And I am not about to slaughter my peacock)
Kama Sutra means pleasure (kama) treatise (sutra). The Indian sage Vatsyayana, wrote it in Sanskrit around the 3rd century.
The chapters of the Kama Sutra is not all about erotic and acrobatic sexual potions that could lead to slipped discs and pulled muscles.
The Kama Sutra is about pleasure in the sense of whole living for lovers, spouses, and companions. It deals with a lifestyle embellishing in good food and soma (drink). Dressing in beautiful silk clothing and partaking in activities such as picnics, reading poetry, swimming, listening to enchanting music, furnishing the home, and yes-ways to commit adultery. The Kama Sutra offers a view of sexuality untinged by guilt, shame, depression, or a sense of sin.
And to all those email requests, A healthy sex drive is driven by neurotransmitters, hormones, physical fitness, a positive body image and shared beautiful kind words for each length of day. Incorporating healthy foods that support optimal body function can have an inadvertent positive effect on the hormones that contribute to sex drive and overall pleasure between the sheets.
"The man who is well-taught and expert in this text
pays attention to religion and power;
he does not indulge himself too much in passion,
and so he succeeds when he plays the part of a lover.
- Vatsyayana, Kama Sutra
So now you have an overview lets check out those ancient aphrodisiac ingredients you may have in your kitchen today!
Milk
Good old-fashioned whole milk and sugar are the champions of all aphrodisiacs. Milk was thought of as being able to increase strength and sexual vigor. Almost all the aphrodisiac recipes in the Kama Sutra are based on milk, honey, or sugar. Today, in parts of India and Nepal brides give bridegrooms a mixture of milk and almonds on the night of the wedding— to help with performance.
Saffron
I am obsessed with farm-fresh milk but not as much as the famed queen Cleopatra who used to bathe in milk mixed with saffron.
The Egyptians believed it had aphrodisiac properties. The Kama Sutra shares Cleopatra's belief in the spice. Saffron lends a pleasing scent. When the spice is steep in hot milk and drunk, it brings about a deep calm and soothing effects on both sexes.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is widely reputed for its aphrodisiac properties. Also known as winter cherry or Indian gooseberries. It has a strong and bitter taste and best consume, mixed with ghee. Ashwagandha can improve male fertility. When drunk with milk and a pinch of nutmeg, it serves both as an aphrodisiac and an aid to a good night's sleep.
Fenugreek
While ashwagandha may do more for men, according to the ancients it is a spice for women. Fenugreek seeds are said to help in the synthesis of various sex hormones that are responsible for breast enlargement in women. The seeds contain phytoestrogen and supposedly results in enlargement of the bust, while also boosting sex drive.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an international aphrodisiac. Native to Indonesia and feted across the ancient world from the Middle East to the Americas.
In Zanzibar, during wedding ceremonies. In the streets, tipsy women gyrate and dance, thrusting against the pelvic of men; and haven't had a drop of alcohol. Their euphoric state comes from consuming a porridge made with nutmeg. The spice stimulates the circulatory system and increases blood flow."Hips don't lie!"
A Valentine Potion from the Kama Sutra
(No Peacock bones!)
Ingredients:
1 cup of water or vodka
1 teaspoon Nirmala's Kitchen Ceylon Cinnamon
1 whole Nirmala's Kitchen Indian Orissa Long Pepper, grated
1 teaspoon Nirmala's Kitchen West Indies Nutmeg, grated
1 tablespoon freshly grated Ginger
Pinch of Nirmala's Kitchen Saffron
Ginseng root extract
Directions:
Pour water or vodka in a mason jar, add cinnamon, cloves, long pepper, nutmeg, ginger, and saffron. Cover tightly with the lid.
Let the mixture infuse for three days in the water or alcohol at room temperature, when this process is complete and is ready to serve.
Add the ginseng, stir well.
Take two tablespoons of mixture about 30 minutes before meals.
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