Heat Up the Holidays

The holidays are filled with joy, excitement, and…stress. There are gifts to buy, trees to decorate, parties to attend, and cookies to bake. The hectic pace and long days not only play havoc with your moods, but your estrogen levels and your libido as well. Let’s face it…when things get hectic, sex can become just another item on your to-do list!

Fortunately, you can mix business and pleasure by playing around with the “scents of the season.” Turns out, some of the very aromas associated with the holidays also seem to kickstart your libido.
 
Researchers have shown that certain scents have particularly strong aphrodisiatic qualities, especially cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. So, be sure to use these spices when cooking, and see if they heat up more than your kitchen!

• Cinnamon — When the Crusaders returned to Western Europe from the Far East, they brought a reputed sexual stimulant with them—cinnamon. Today, this spice is one of the most common herbs across the globe. And anyone who has smelled hot cinnamon buns baking in the oven on a Sunday will tell you why.
• Cloves — The Persians, Egyptians, Europeans, and Arabians all considered this spicy scent to be an aromatic aphrodisiac. In the Sudan, women concoct a wedding potion that consists of clove mixed with musk, cherry, and sandalwood. They then wear the blend to the party so its aroma will drift in the air as they dance the night away.
• Ginger — The ancient Persian physician Avicenna used to mix this fragrant spice with honey as a cure for impotence. Whether its benefits are due to its pungent aroma or its ability to increase circulation, ginger soon grew to be known as the spice of “burning desire.” In Medieval times, ginger was one of the most popular spices, second only to black pepper. Today, women in Senegal wear ginger in their belts in order to attract men, while female New Guineans can’t say no to a man who emits ginger’s strong scent.
• Nutmeg — While this spice has a strong smell, it is actually a relaxing scent that relieves anxiety and stress, and even reduces blood pressure. The Chinese are particularly fond of nutmeg’s aphrodisiac qualities. They have found that it can elicit a feeling of rapture and invigoration. In the 1700s here in North America, men and women often added nutmeg to their nightcaps. Maybe our ancestors were onto something.

For more stress-relieving tips or ways to boost libido and estrogen levels, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site.