Is there a more appropriate time to consider an absorption of a mood-enhancing natural "love potion" than that first honeymoon, and up & onward to all those other moon & sun-struck longings 'till the end of days?

Hereabouts, where modern-day "gatherers" go about their day collecting roots, herbs, barks, seaweeds et cetera, et cetera, to promote the heart growing fonder/wilder, is it any wonder that an aphrodisiac expert should be heading to our shores to teach and learn in a setting of a Bridal Expo?

What do you keep in your Pharmaceutical Pantry d'Amore?

Here's a book: Jamaica Tonics Aphrodisiac Foods & Herb Culture that seriously glorifies the natural world of Sexual Healing:
Tonic foods, herbs, and roots are an integral part of Jamaican culture, almost every Jamaican has had Irish moss, carrot juice, or stout punch, the three most well known ‘family tonics’.
This book contains most of the traditional food and drink tonics used in Jamaica, as well as the key roots used in bottled ‘man tonic’ preparations bought over the counter.

Add to this the pumping beat of the Jamaican dancehall culture with its iconic sexual symbols of the ‘talwah’ or ‘super-macho’ and the ‘superwoman’, both wanting to ‘perform’ with style and flare, and you have perhaps the most sophisticated and extensive tonic taking culture in the world.


Jamaica Tonics...
www.bluemountainmedia.com/Jamaican%20Tonics/Jamaica%20Tonics.html

Gleaner::Romance Through Food - Food-Aphrodisiac Expert Scheduled For Bridal Expo
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130502/cook/cook5.html


Aphrodisiacs: Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, the list of aphrodisiacs includes such foods as celery, garlic and onion. However, Aphrodite was said to be born from the sea, therefore many types of seafood are considered to be aphrodisiacs, with oysters being the most well known.

Here are some of the more popular herbal aphrodisiacs, found in local tonics, listed or otherwise, as described by herbalist Winsome Beckford @ Winsome's Wholistic Clinic on Mona Rd in Kingston (...for the sake of scientific inquiry!)

Duppy gun stimulant, aphrodisiac

Stiff c--- (cocoa like plant that often grows in the hills) purifies the blood

Blood wisp cleans the blood and helps with circulation

Strong back helps with the nerves and builds stamina

Aloe Vera purifies the blood

Bitterwood purifies the blood and cleanses the entire body

Dandelion cleans the entire urinary system (kidney, liver and bladder)

(Raw) Pumpkin seed/Sesame seed these are stimulants. They are high in zinc and help to build the sperm count and improve the sex drive. They also prevent prostate cancer.

Yohimbe this generally improves blood circulation and keeps the mind clear...; may over-stimulate the heart!

Siberian ginseng this is a stimulant, aphrodisiac which calms the mood and helps the brain to distress. It also helps to lower blood pressure.

Ginger soothing circulatory stimulant

Garlic combats high blood pressure and infections. Garlic also keeps the veins and arteries clean and is a bit of an aphrodisiac.

Cinnamon stimulant

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) an herb popularly known for its ability to promote brain function through better circulation, may, when taken regularly, increase blood flow to the "organs" (pipe)

Cayenne pepper this is a cleanser and a stimulant. It also promotes weight loss.

Dog blood cleans the womb and ovarian tubes...

Red Clover is good for the heart...blood circulation

Vervine is also called 'love bush'. This was used in ancient times to produce love potions. It is a stimulant that stirs up passion.

Samson or Bee Bush (has a lot of bee pollen) gives energy. This bush is good for diabetes and colds as it has a lot of insulin.

Medina stimulant, aphrodisiac. This is used by many Jamaican men but Ms. Beckford advises against this. "Men should not use Medina regularly because one of the side-effects of this herb, is that it lowers the sperm count so much so that it eventually results in 'dry back'...

A Caution:
Ms Beckford recommends that "before embarking on your journey of love, thoroughly acquaint yourself with the herbs you are using. Herbal aphrodisiacs often affect the hormonal balance of the body.
She further advises that you familiarise yourself with the potential side effects and cautions associated with a treatment you intend to take, but the number and range of side effects found in herbal aphrodisiacs make this precaution more crucial. Certain herbs should not be taken by diabetics or hypertensive persons or even pregnant women, so extra care must be exercised."
(Gleaner: 17•2•2003)

Wondering why the US aphro-disiac specialist, Ann Reiley, coming to our Isle for the Bridal Dreams Jamaica Showcase, is so "obsessed with plantains"...it couldn't have anything to do with what the ancients believed to be the law of similarity, whereby any object resembling certain gentil body parts ought to possess arousing powers (oysters on the half shell, ginseng roots, carrots, even rhinoceros hornies).

In the interest of marital harmony, we would like to add to the list of your local vegetal treasure hunt:

• Ram Goat Dash Along (Damiana) contains alkaloids that directly stimulate the nerves and organs.

• Fennel is reported to increase the libido of both male and female rats. (toxic in doses greater than a teaspoon)

• Ginseng ('Man Root')...Ginseng use should be monitored by a physician in patients using warfarin, ticlopidine and other blood thinning medications because it may enhance the blood-thinning effects of these medications.

• Wild Yam rejuvenator & vigour-giver

Learning lots here, this is great. I know of many mentioned but not dog blood. Going to check that out. Have a great time all. All we need is Love...