I nearly forgot it was Valentine’s Day yesterday.

With all the excitement of Carnival and then the come down that is Ash Wednesday I ran down to the corner store, half panicked to buy my husband some chocolates. It got me thinking about how chocolate became the “Food of love” and about other supposed aphrodisiacs, so I decided to do some research…

It turns out that very few foods actually increase arousal in themselves. Sometimes, it is the association or suggestive nature that puts us in the mood instead. Starting with chocolate: There is actually very little evidence that chocolate increases arousal. It is probably more the smooth creamy texture, that alludes to pleasure, that gives us ideas.

Oysters have been touted as being an aphrodisiac for centuries, but besides tasting like mucous no one has ever proven that they contain any chemicals that increase arousal. Traditionally oysters are eaten by ladies extending their long, elegant (and often forbidden) necks, parting their lips and tipping the oyster shells back so the slimy mollusks slip down their throats whole. I wonder if men in olden times found this action erotic in some way.

What about honey? Well, apart from being the antidote to souring love, there is no real evidence that that works either.

So, what does?

It turns out that Fenugreek seeds are rich in Magnesium and Zinc. This doesn’t mean they will get you in the mood straight away, but these chemicals are needed for healthy sperm production so long term, maybe they can improve fertility. Pumpkin seeds are also high in Zinc, so roasted in salads, might be good for sperm production. Avocados contain a lot of Folate, needed for orgasm.

Pistachio nuts apparently can help with erections if you take 2-3 oz per day. According to the web, this may be due to a protein called Arginine, which may help relax blood vessels. – This might make sense as this is exactly how Viagra works- by relaxing the walls of the blood vessels, so that more blood can flow to the penis. – And with good sex it’s all about blood flow. Blood flow to the penis and the vulval area! That’s why smoking is so bad for not just the blood vessels to the heart, but also to the penis. Hence erectile dysfunction being a marker of heart disease. A link between the penis and the heart after all! Apparently, the Maca root from the Andes is reputed to do a similar thing. This potato like substance can be mashed, mixed with milk and even used to make cakes. However, according to WebMD there is no hard evidence that it works. It is probably safe to eat though.

So, what about the other local “natural” Viagras? Well, we Trinis have heard about “Conch Pencil”. Fisherman think it is the male appendage of the conch but apparently it is found in both sexes and is for digestion!. . Bois Bande. – This is the bark of a tree that according to legend makes the “wood” stand up. (Bander in French is to have an erection). There is also something called “Pacro water” made from the juice of boiled Mollusks. I have no idea if any of this works but please, if any of you want to try out the Pacro water I found a recipe here: https://www.simplytrinicooking.com/pacro-water/

As for my husband, he came home with a bag of Pistachios….