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Author: Dr. Debra Muth

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What Is a Parasite Cleanse?

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in ADHD/ADD, Pediatric Disorders. No Comments on What Is a Parasite Cleanse?

Most people have no idea that parasites reside in their bodies. These microscopic life forms live off of the resources in our tissues, organs, and digestive systems. They cause a host of symptoms, including cramps, headaches, and fatigue. You don’t have to travel to the tropics to pick up parasites. They originate right here in Waukesha—in the foods we eat, the liquids we drink, and the air we breathe. Parasite cleanse programs can help rid the body of these noxious pests, increasing health and vitality. Parasite cleansing is available at Serenity Health Center in Waukesha, WI.

 

What Is a Parasite Cleanse?

Parasite cleanses are dietary supplements that work to detoxify the human body of parasitic infections. These cleansing programs cure harmful parasitic infestations without the need for prescription medications. After taking the appropriate round of supplements, clients feel more energetic, focused, and positive.

 

What Are Parasites?

Parasites are tiny creatures that infest the bodies of other living beings. They live by consuming the biological resources in the host’s body. In extreme cases, parasites make the host weak and sick. The worst types of parasites can kill the host. Thankfully, there are few killer parasites in modern America, but the invaders we do have cause illness, fatigue, and disease.

 

Parasitic infections occur when the invaders grow and reproduce. When this occurs, they can damage organs and other body systems, causing serious illness. Common human parasitic infections found in the United States include the following:

  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Giardiasis
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Trichomoniasis
 

Parasitic Infection Symptoms

Most parasites travel into the human body through contaminated liquids or foods. Symptoms depend on the type of parasite and what body systems are infested. Some common parasitic infection symptoms include the following:

  • Upset stomach
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Excessive dehydration
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Excessive gas
  • Severe or persistent diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Aches and pains
  • Persistent Itching
 

Diagnosis of Parasitic Infections

Most parasitic infections are diagnosed through a stool sample. Often, several samples must be taken at different times for a correct diagnosis. In some cases, certain mild parasitic infections may go away on their own. This is most often the case in people who have strong immune systems and eat a balanced diet.

Parasite Cleanse Treatment

a picture with lots of star anis

Most natural health practitioners understand that a large percentage of the U.S. population unknowingly carries parasites. Regular parasite cleanses wash away these tiny invaders and keep our bodies functioning at healthy and optimal levels.

Many herbal supplements work as home remedies for general, regular detoxification. Some of the most effective detoxification herbs include the following:

  • Anise
  • Barberry
  • Berberine
  • Black walnut
  • Clove oil
  • Curled mint
  • Goldthread
  • Goldenseal
  • Grapefruit seed extract
  • Propolis
  • Oregano oil
  • Oregon grape
  • Wormwood
 

Natural Medicines That Cleanse Specific Body Systems

yellow and purple flower that shows natural medicines that cleanse the body

To cleanse specific bodily systems of parasites, naturally-based, plant-derived medicines provide the most effective approach because they target certain areas, cleaning out unhealthy objects. Your natural health practitioner can recommend remedies for various systems, including the intestines, liver, and specific areas of the digestive tract. In addition, natural health practitioners can provide homeopathic therapies that drive specific types of parasites from your body.

During your consultation, your natural health practitioner will recommend herbs that help with detoxification without interacting with any medications you are taking. Most herbs are gentle and have no serious side effects. Your naturopath can advise which supplements are easiest on the body. Most herbal detox programs last for two weeks on, two weeks off until the problem is cleared up, but some programs last up to a month at a time.

 
 

Parasitic Cleanse Diet

Following a carefully prescribed diet is an important facet of a parasite cleanse. During the cleanse, the diet should be balanced and include unprocessed, high-nutrient foods without refined sugars.

 

High fiber intake is extremely important. Fiber encourages regular bowel movements, which are an important part of the cleansing process. High nutrient intake helps support immunity, another key part of the cleanse. Immunity also helps prevent recurring infections, as does the inclusion of probiotics in the cleanse diet.

Natural health practitioners also recommend their clients limit gluten, wheat, dairy, and alcohol. These foods become food for the parasites once inside the body, which can make getting rid of the invaders that much harder. Also, it’s important to avoid foods that cause you digestive issues, as they may weaken the immune system. In addition, a diet balanced between moderate intake of protein, fat, and carbs provides the best results for most people.

Garlic, honey, pumpkin seeds, and papaya seeds all help fight parasites, so efforts should be made to include them in an anti-parasite diet.

How to Prevent Parasitic Infection When Traveling Abroad

a hand holding a small world globe

When we travel to other regions of the globe, we encounter parasites our bodies have no exposure to. Our immunity to them may be nonexistent, so picking up a parasite is a frequent occurrence with foreign travel. When abroad, use these following techniques to avoid coming home with an unwelcome guest:

  • Avoid water that isn’t purified or bottled
  • Decline ice
  • Don’t eat fruit you can’t peel
  • Never swim or bathe in fresh water
  • Pass up foods prepared by street vendors

Signs You Picked Up a Parasite While Abroad

If you travel to the far corners of the globe, to places such as China, India, and Africa, it’s possible to bring a parasite home despite your best efforts. Even trips to well-established resort communities, such as Cancun, Mexico, come with parasite risk, particularly if you drink non-bottled water. While non-bottled water is fairly easy to avoid, you have to eat, and even well-prepared foods can contain parasites.

In typical cases, parasite victims will return from their trips, experiencing stomach pains and dysentery. According to the CDC, persistent travelers’ diarrhea is a positive sign for parasitic infection. If you return from an overseas trip and find your intestines hurting and need to use the bathroom too frequently, make sure to get tested for a parasitic infection. Once diagnosed, your naturopath can prescribe the herbs and diet that will repel the invaders.

Before the Cleanse

Prior to starting the cleanse, start a high-fiber diet and ensure you have regular bowel movements. If you are constipated, postpone the cleanse, eat plenty of fiber and wait until bowel movements become consistent. With intestinal parasite cases, high-fiber diets are especially important. The fiber helps force intestinal parasites out of the body.

Natural Cures for Parasite Infections Provide Non-Drug Relief

Parasites can do more than wreck a vacation to a foreign country. They can infest vital bodily systems, lingering for years, and damaging health. Many parasites can also be contracted right here in Wisconsin. Many of these parasites cause recurrent diarrhea, upset stomachs, low energy, headaches, and other symptoms that make us feel drained. The problem is the parasites are sucking away our biological resources, leaving us weakened and vulnerable to disease.

Parasite cleanses rid the body of these pests, so we can feel our best. Combined with a high-fiber, high nutrition diet devoid of sugars and excessive alcohol, these natural treatments provide the best means of ridding the body of uninvited guests permanently. To learn more about how natural medicine can ride you of parasite problems, call Serenity Health Care Center, located in Waukesha, WI.

Doxycycline for Lyme: Why Antibiotics Alone Aren’t Enough

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in General Health. No Comments on Doxycycline for Lyme: Why Antibiotics Alone Aren’t Enough

Lyme Disease is a complex and challenging disease to manage. Scientists and doctors are still learning about how it works and how to best treat it. There are approximately 427,000 new cases of Lyme a year, but there are still no proper and effective protocols on how to best treat the disease. While doxycycline is often used to help combat the early stages of Lyme, it isn’t enough. You can access the best and most current treatments for Lyme at Serenity Health Care, conveniently located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dealing With Lyme Disease

One of the reasons Lyme is so difficult to diagnose is because it mimics other illnesses. Often, patients are diagnosed with a whole host of illnesses in an attempt to explain the symptoms of what is actually Lyme. Common misdiagnoses are fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The easiest way to diagnose Lyme Disease is via a bullseye-shaped rash. However, doctors who aren’t familiar with Lyme often overlook this rash. And while this rash is a clear indicator of Lyme, it doesn’t show up on everyone who has Lyme. Practitioners may be trained to look for this rash as an indicator of Lyme, and when they don’t see it, they move on to other possible illnesses.

Symptoms

Lyme Disease is transmitted when a tick infected with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi bites a human and spreads the disease. Once Lyme Disease is introduced to the human body, it can cause symptoms like fevers, chills, sweats, muscle, and joint pain, and fatigue. However, it’s important to remember that Lyme can present differently in different people. It’s a very individualized disease and is capable of affecting people in unique ways.

Because these symptoms seem flu-like, many individuals who have been newly infected with Lyme Disease write it off as simply the flu. Lyme can be treated effectively within the first weeks of infection; however, if Lyme isn’t treated within the first month, the symptoms often progress into the more serious Chronic Lyme Disease. Chronic Lyme symptoms worsen over time, and once Lyme progresses into Chronic Lyme, you can’t get rid of it.

Diagnosis

One of the reasons Lyme is so difficult to diagnose is because there isn’t any simple test. There are a handful of tests to choose from, and it’s best to use as many tests as possible to get a full look at what is happening in the patient’s body. Rather than use the PCR, a common, but less accurate, test often used to identify Lyme, we use the Western blot test, and I spot testing.

We also use Ondamed Biofeedback testing and thermography evaluations to get a holistic view of what is happening in our patients’ bodies. Using a combination of diagnostic methods, we are able to look at how Lyme is affecting all of your body’s systems. It’s only with this knowledge that we can form a plan of action to best help you on your way back to health.

Why Doxycycline Alone Isn’t Enough

Because Lyme Disease is a result of the spreading of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, it makes sense that a common response is antibiotics. Antibiotics like doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime axetil are some of the most commonly used antibiotic treatments for the spread of Lyme Disease.

Antibiotics can be effectively used as a prophylactic dose to reduce the risk of acquiring Lyme Disease immediately after a high-risk tick bite. However, antibiotic treatment helps such a fraction of individuals living with Lyme Disease that it doesn’t make sense for this to be the primary treatment. When it comes to treating Chronic Lyme Disease, doxycycline, and other antibiotics, just aren’t enough; and that’s because of the nature of Borrelia.

Borrelia: A Stealthy Bacteria

The bacteria Borrelia clears the blood quickly, and it uses its unique corkscrew shape to deeply penetrate the tissues of the joints, cartilage, brain, and nerves. Once it’s hidden inside these tissues, the antibiotics and immune system can’t reach it. It can even roll up into a dormant cyst and wait until the antibiotics are gone to reappear.

Slow Growing

Antibiotics are most effective on bacterium and microbes that grow rapidly and are densely concentrated in localized areas of the body. For instance, pneumonia is concentrated in the lungs, and this is part of the reason that it responds well to antibiotics. Borrelia, however, is very slow-growing and exists throughout the body in low concentrations.

Borrelia in the Microbiome

The microbiome is the congregate of all the microbes in the body, and Borrelia is great at blending in with them, becoming a part of the microbiome. Unlike other bacteria, it doesn’t want to overwhelm the human hos; it just needs enough resources to survive. This makes it very difficult to both diagnose and treat.

Antibiotics Can Disrupt the Microbiome

The frequent use of antibiotics doesn’t just kill the bad bacteria you’re trying to get rid of, but it also kills all the good bacteria that our bodies need to function properly. Killing off the good bacteria gives space for the overgrowth of pathogens that aren’t affected by the body. These pathogens can be just as dangerous as the microbes that cause Lyme Disease. Chronic use of antibiotics doesn’t do much harm to the Borrelia because it can simply crawl inside a cell to stay safe, so the antibiotics end up harming your system without actually getting the result you’re looking for.

Antibiotics Can Disrupt the Immune System

Up to 70% of our immune system functions are actually located in the gut, meaning that disruption of the microbiome can have huge effects on our immune system. When your body and immune system are already being run down by Lyme, causing even more harm to them with antibiotics is the wrong move.

Antibiotics Can Damage Mitochondria

The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell because they give us energy. Although they are now present in the cells of every higher life form, they were, at one point, a primitive bacteria, and they still have bacteria-like characteristics. Because of this, antibiotics effect and can damage mitochondria.

An Integrative Solution

Our functional medicine clinic works to find treatment options for Lyme Disease on an individual basis. We offer a Lyme Disease detox that removes the endotoxins that Borrelia releases into the body. We use Lyme Free Bio Terrain Therapy that helps define a patient’s biochemistry so that we can create a personalized treatment plan. Our IV Nutritional Therapy delivers vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly to the bloodstream. Lastly, we use herbal supplements to help patients get to a better state of health and treat co-infections of Lyme.

Don’t Let Lyme Stop You

Lyme Disease is one of the most misunderstood diseases. So misunderstood, in fact, that even doctors have a difficult time detecting and diagnosing Lyme Disease. Furthermore, once it has been diagnosed, there isn’t a clear treatment protocol for doctors to follow. That’s why you need to choose a medical clinic with Lyme Disease specialists who understand the difficulty of living with this disease.

Our medical detectives have years of experience in identifying this disease where other doctors have failed, and in treating even the most trying cases. Don’t settle for doxycycline; find real relief with our clinic today. For more information on Lyme Disease, or to schedule a consultation, contact us at Serenity Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.



What Is A Brain Neurotransmitter Lab?

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in Articles, Blog, General Health. No Comments on What Is A Brain Neurotransmitter Lab?

What Is A Brain Neurotransmitter Lab?

Serenity Health Care Center offers Brain Neurotransmitter testing at it’s functional medical clinic in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

  • Are you a busy woman who is loosing herself?
  • Struggling with insomnia?
  • Are you getting anxiety?
  • Are you forgetting things or do you feel like you have ADHD?
  • Are you depressed or just feel like you have lost your happiness in life?
  • Are you craving sweets, salts, and caffeine?
  • Do you have times that you feel like you could eat everything in sight but then could care a less about eating at all?
  • Are you wondering what has happened to your creativity, drive and desire to conquer your dreams?
  • Do you toss and turn all night?
  • Are you gaining weight despite following a clean diet?
  • Are you experiencing OCD symptoms and it is getting in the way of your daily routine?
  • Do you suffer from autism or neurogenic condition like Parkinson’s?
  • Do you have ADHD or a learning disability?

What Can A Brain Neurotransmitter Lab Do?

  • Neurotransmitter testing can identify the reason your symptoms are present.
  • By knowing what neurotransmitters are high or low natural or specific approaches can be implemented.
  • You can support the neuroendocrine system, which can prevent disease.

What Is A Microbiome Stool Panel?

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What Is A Microbiome Stool Panel?

Stool testing is the window into your entire body and immune system. The microbiome is everything to a healthy body. Stool testing can tell us how many good and bad bacteria is present. With GI testing we can see the immune markers, inflammation and if the tight junctions are a problem.


Not all stool testing is the same; in order to really determine what is going on in the intestinal tract you need a test that is sensitive and specific. 

What the gut lining reveals is what the brain barrier reveals.

  • Do you have gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea?
  • Better known as Irritable bowel disease?
  • Do you have mid-abdominal weight gain?
  • Do you have fatigue?
  • Have you traveled outside of the country?
  • Do you have chronic infections?
  • Do you have rectal itching, especially at night?
  • Do you have chronic skin itching or rashes?
  • Do you have an autoimmune disease?
  • Do you have chronic pain?
  • Do you have thyroid disease?
  • Do you have ADHD?
  • Have you been exposed to mold?
  • Do you have anxiety?

What Can A Microbiome Stool Panel Do?

  • Once we know what type of bacteria’s, viruses, or parasites are present in the GI tract we can create a specific plan for you.
  • Have you been struggling with chronic illness but haven’t been able to find the reason why? GI bacteria can be the reason for chronic illness.
  • GI Bacteria can be a reason for fatigue and allergies.

What Is A Food Sensitivities Lab?

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in Articles, Blog, General Health, In The News, Nutrition. No Comments on What Is A Food Sensitivities Lab?

What Is A Food Sensitivities Lab?

Food sensitivities occur in so many fashions. They can be delayed or immediate. Our immediate foods we recognize but is the delayed foods that are harder to identify.

Food sensitivities are often caused by something called “leaky gut”. Leaky gut is a term used when the tight junctions of the GI tract become compromised. This can happen for a variety of reasons including infection be it bacterial, parasitic, or viral. It is when these junctions become loose that food particles can move through and come in contact with the immune system. This can cause delayed food allergies to occur.  

  • Do you have bloating, constipation, and diarrhea?
  • Do you have irritable bowel disease?
  • Do you have fatigue, especially after you eat?
  • Do you crave certain foods?
  • What are your 5 most hated foods?
  • Do you have skin rashes or itching?
  • Do you have mood changes after you eat?
  • Do you have depression?
  • Do you have anxiety?
  • Do you have swelling?
  • Do you have frequent urination?
  • Do you have unexplained weight gain?
  • Do you have migraines or headaches?
  • Do you have autoimmune disease?

What Can A Food Sensitivities Lab Do?

  • Getting food sensitivity testing can finally give you the answers about what foods cause problems for you
  • Once you have food sensitivity testing done you will know which foods benefit or harm you
  • This gives us an idea of what is going on with your immune system

What Is A Hormone Panel?

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What Is A Hormone Panel?

Serenity Health Care Center offers hormone panels for anyone looking to learn more about their hormones and hormonal function.

Hormone testing is a great test for anyone to get a baseline before there are symptoms. This allows us to identify which hormone type you are.

  • Are you high estrogen? Body type as a pear shape.
  • Are you high testosterone? Body type as a box.

Being a driven, high-powered person who is burning the candle at both ends can initially bring energy and drive, but once you have been doing this for a while the opposite happens. You become burnt out, irritable, stressed out and lose vitality for life. Ultimately, bringing you unhappiness and a feeling of being lost.

  • Are you tired of being tired?
  • Are you tired of being irritable?
  • Are you tired of the weight gain around the mid-section?
  • Are you tired of not having the sex drive you want?
  • Are you tired of brain fog?
  • Are you tired of feeling like you are aging rapidly?
  • Are you achy?
  • Are you having trouble sleeping?
  • Do you have PMS?
  • Do you have joint pain?
  • Do you have irregular menstrual cycles?
  • Do you have migraines?
  • Do you have anxiety?

What Can A Hormone Panel Do?

  • Identifies your hormonal pattern and determines if you are living with too much or too little cortisol
  • Keeps you from guessing what your hormones are doing
  • Shows you how and what needs to be replaced
  • Allows you to monitor the aging process

Ashwagandha

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Ashwagandha

Its History And Some Of Its Many Health Benefits


Introduction to Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been used as an herbal remedy for hundreds of years. It has many applications, and has been used by Native Americans and Africans to treat inflammation, fevers, and to protect against infection or illness. It has also been used to boost the immune system, improve memory, and to promote overall wellness.

Ashwagandha is a shrub that flourishes in India and North America. The roots of the ashwagandha plant have been employed for millennia by Ayurvedic healers. Ashwagandha has many beneficial elements, including flavonoids and members of the withanolide class. Numerous modern studies have found that ashwagandha shows great promise for being effective in reducing inflammation, decreasing stress, increasing mental activity, invigorating the body, and as an antioxidant.

Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

Scholars at Banaras Hindu University, located in Varanasi, India, have conducted research that has shown that many of the elements of ashwagandha are antioxidants. The researchers looked at the effects these elements have on the brains of test animals and found that ashwagandha led to larger amounts of three different natural antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The scholars conclude, “These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of W. somnifera as an Ayurvedic rasayana (health promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of W. somnifera may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in clinical situations.”

For years, Indians have prescribed ashwagandha as a treatment for cerebral disorders in the elderly, including memory loss. Scholars from the University of Leipzig looked at the effects of ashwagandha on the brain. They dosed rats with ashwagandha and then looked at their brains to see if ashwagandha affected neurotransmitters. The research showed that ashwagandha led to more acetylcholine receptor activity. The scholars concluded that the increase of activity in that particular neurotransmitter could account for the increase in cognitive ability and memory that is attributed to ashwagandha.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center also looked at the effects of ashwagandha. They found that extracts of the shrub had activity that was similar to GABA, which could explain why the plant is effective in reducing anxiety.

Another study, conducted in 2002, found that ashwagandha leads to increased growth of axons and dendrites. Another study in 2001 found that the plant can enhance memory. A 2000 project indicated that ashwagandha reduced anxiety and depression in animals.
Vineyard

Wine & Glyphosphate

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Wine & Glyphosphate

Vineyard

The advocacy group Moms Across America sent 10 samples of wine in to be tested by Microbe Infotech Lab in St. Louis.

The samples came from vineyards of all sizes—from very small to very large operations… The vineyards included those that use modern agricultural practices—as well as those that are “organic.”

They ALL tested positive for glyphosates.

Even the ones that had never been sprayed with Roundup (the trade name of Monsanto/Bayer’s toxic glyphosate herbicide).

Levels were much higher in crops that were sprayed directly with pesticides and herbicides—but even those that did fall victim to the reckless use of these toxins on our food supply.

Here’s another interesting tidbit:

Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. So, now it is not only going to be in our food source, it could be used as an antibiotic. We know that the glyphosate damages tissues, we can also be sure that it’s also disrupting our microbiomes.

Studies have shown that it favors harmful bacteria growth while inhibiting the good stuff.

Obviously, it’s becoming harder and harder to avoid glyphosates without sourcing food from remote farms—far away from “modern” agricultural practices.

With the good weather coming, I would encourage you to go to farmer’s markets and talk to farmers about how they grow their foods and what they use – so you know exactly what happens to your food.

Avoid processed foods wherever you can.

Dr. Deb Has A Podcast – Let’s Talk Wellness Now

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Dr. Debra Muth, ND has a Podcast!

And Season 1: Hormones is out now!

Let’s Talk Wellness Now is a natural health and wellness podcast hosted by Dr. Debra Muth, ND – the founder of Serenity Health Care Center and Phoenix Factor – Female Health Protocol. Let’s Talk Wellness Now is a raw and exciting dialogue that will explore topics ranging anywhere from hormone function and sexual health, to brain health and Lyme Disease.

Each season’s theme will concentrate on a specific health condition, and feature industry experts ranging from clinical psychologists and compounding pharmacists, to Global Nonprofit Presidents and fellow practitioners leading the world of integrative medicine and natural health. Season 1 is devoted to all things Hormones, followed by a season dedicated to all things Sexual Health!

We invite you to listen in, review, comment, share, make suggestions, and enjoy the incredible conversation about the world of natural health and wellness!

>>> letstalkwellnessnow.com <<<

iTunes – apple.co/2tSu1Hy

Google Podcasts – bit.ly/2TuuVZe

Stitcher – bit.ly/2IUns1h

Foods That Are Aphrodisiacs

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Foods That Are Aphrodisiacs

Food and sex can be an erotic mix – if you know what you’re doing!

Food and sex can be a seriously erotic mix if you know what you’re doing, so getting to grips with aphrodisiac foods this Valentine’s Day will be really worth it.

For some people the idea of foodie foreplay is just a big NO, chocolate body paint won’t float everyone’s boat. But squirting whipped cream-on-body-parts isn’t what we’re getting at here, although that is a fun idea. We are going to explore foods that are known as aphrodisiacs all by themselves.

Even the NHS says aphrodisiac foods can help bring couples closer both physically and emotionally. It’s got to be a good thing!

So if you’re intrigued here’s our A-W list of aphrodisiac foods… how you enjoy them is up to you!

Almonds

The almond has been a symbol of fertility and an aphrodisiac through various ages and some believe that just the smell can stimulate women sexually. Sprinkle them with a little seasoning and they are ready to pop in your mouth and let it water.

Apricot Brandy

Long considered an aphrodisiac drink. In a Midsummer Night’s Dream the fairies are told of the efficacy of apricot and Shakespeare seems to have been drawing on an established folk tradition. Dried Apricots steeped in sweet Muscat wine for a week or two are favorite sweetmeat with which lovers can feed each other.

Avocado

The Aztecs allegedly called the avocado “ahuacatl” – their word for ‘testicle’… but if that doesn’t turn you on (it doesn’t do much for us either) avocados are at least a treasure trove of vitamins and good stuff.

They contain vitamin B6, which is said to increase production of male hormones, as well as potassium, which helps to regulate the female thyroid gland – not sexy but at least you’ll look and feel pretty good.

Asparagus

The humble asparagus spear is a powerful aphrodisiac – not only does it look a bit phallic but it also contains vitamin E, which makes you gorgeous (think healthy skin, hair and nails) and is also said to be a sex hormone booster. Delicious.

Bananas

Phallic again – use your imagination this is enough to get the sexy going on the aphrodisiac list. In the case of the banana it’s also making an appearance due its levels of potassium and B vitamins that aid your sex hormone production.

These beauties are a great source of instant and long-lasting energy – so have one before sex to give you the staying power to satisfy your significant other.

Bananas are excellent at regulating blood pressure, too. High blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction and that’s no fun on Valentine’s Day (or any other day for that matter).

So whack out those bananas and away you go!

Bone Marrow

According to the ancient Romans produces pheromones that stimulate our sense of smell that attracts us to our lovers. 

Caviar

Testosterone is great for your sex life – it makes both men and women more randy and sexually stimulated. Zinc, found in caviar, stimulates the formation of testosterone so it stands to reason that posh fish eggs are in fact an aphrodisiac!

Celery

Not a universally loved veg but apparently it gets women going. Celery contains androstenone, a hormone that researchers believe attracts females when it’s secreted through sweat. Nice.

Champagne

Champagne is the drink of love often the mere presence of that expensive bottle will get you going. Champagne reaches the blood stream rapidly. Drinking too much, however, might change the outcome so drink responsibly.

Chili Peppers

Hot chili’s are thought to release endorphins that give our bodies a high. Many hot foods fall into this category but chili’s also contain the chemical capsaicin, which stimulates our nerve endings and raises our pulses for a greater sense of touch.

A little tip we have is to put a tiny bit of chili in your cocktails. Honestly, it works wonders!

Chocolate

Nothing says, “I love you” like a box of chocolates, at least for me that is a way to my heart!

It contains a stimulant called phenylethylamine, and a substance called Theobromine which is thought to act on the neurotransmitters of the brain to give you a natural high with a sense of well-being and excitement.

Use dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, as this is what makes the magic happen.

Coffee

You stand on your doorstep at the end of the perfect date, and think of saying “want to come in and tear my clothes off with your teeth?” but that’s perhaps a little forward.

Instead you murmur: “would you like to come in for coffee?”… the meaning behind the message is the same.

Coffee’s actually on the list for its stimulating qualities but it’s earned its reputation as a sexy beverage by the power of suggestion alone. Make sure you drink it in a sexy manner!

Cream

Cream doesn’t have any nutritional value, but as an aphrodisiac it gets it’s merit by sex food play! It can be a bit messy but isn’t that what sex is all about? If you want to clean up easy get the shower curtain out for this one!

Coconut

We all are aware of the coconuts health benefits as a healthy oil, but did you know it make a great massage oil and an even better natural lubricant with a great flavor or oral sex.

Cucumber

Cucumber is certainly phallic in appearance, but its aphrodisiac reputation is not based on looks alone. From a nutritional standpoint, cucumbers provide several nutrients essential to maintaining sexual health, including Vitamin C and magnesium. It also helps to decrease water retention and bloating so enjoy.

Figs

This one’s for your partner – ask them to open a ripe fig and eat it seductively in front of you. This is supposed to be a powerful aphrodisiac because the fruit’s insides look like female genitalia.

Ginger

A circulatory system stimulant, ginger eaten raw, preserved or cooked is said to increase sexual powers and desire. Ginger omelets are a great way to start the day.

Ginseng

Often found in Asian cuisines such as Chinese and Korean, ginseng is believed by many to increase sexual appetite for both men and women. Consuming Ginseng tea or shred some raw root onto a salad.

Oysters

Oysters are probably the world’s most well-known aphrodisiac and they’ve been top of the sexy food list since the age of the ancient Greeks.

They’re full of zinc that helps in production of testosterone, which not only acts on male libido but is also great for the female libido too. Raw oysters are best served with a glass of cold Champagne.

Pine Nuts

Like oysters and caviar, pine nuts are full of zinc that is great for producing sperm and for increasing the libido.

Pumpkin Seeds

More zinc! You can eat these toasted or raw and they’re great on a sexy salad with cucumbers, apples, raisins and almonds.

Radish

Egyptian pharaohs were all about radish when they wanted to up the ante in the royal chamber. It’s thought that their spicy taste could stimulate the palate and of course the shape are supposed to turn you on.

Raspberries

Succulent red fruits that are perfect for feeding to your lover and are especially good when dipped into melted chocolate – an aphrodisiac two-for-one!

They’re red which is meant as a stimulating color that indicates we are excited which our brains are programed to notice as stimulating. They are high in vitamin C, which may not turn you on but will sure keep your healthy.

Rocket

Even back in the first century A.D. they were using rocket (or arugula) leaves to boost flagging sex drives. But were as they used it with grated orchid bulbs and parsnips, we recommend toasted pine nuts, almonds and pistachios for a more palatable sexy salad!

Sweet Basil

Maybe it’s the smell, but some people think that basil has the power to stimulate your sex drive and boost your fertility – so don’t be too annoyed if he turns up with a takeaway pizza this Valentine’s Day.

Strawberries

For all the same reasons raspberries are on the list! Pop one in your champagne glass, dip them in some lush melted chocolate… strawberries are sensual, sexy and I know this is cliché but feed them in a sensual way to your partner.

Truffles

Truffles are one of the most extravagant foods out there and this point alone is sometimes enough to turn a women on.

They may not look so appealing but trust us these babies pack a punch. Drizzle a little truffle oil on some pasta, or put a few shavings on some risotto.

Their delicious taste and musky aroma certainly stimulates the palate which can lead to arousal elsewhere.

Wine

Drinking wine can be quite an erotic experience. Drinking in moderation can help to ease inhibitions and promote relaxation but alcohol is also a depressant and we all know that too much never did anyone any good.

Your Valentine’s Day or romantic date will be memorable for all the wrong reasons if you have one to many rosés! Wondering why Roses are so sexy? In part it is sacred to the love goddess in all the mythological traditions. The evocative shape of the petals and the intense perfumes make it the archetypal female emblem. It is the scents of the rose that are an aphrodisiac. Enjoy them put the petals on the bed…. Use the rose petal to gently stroke them across your lover’s body. Use your imagination and enjoy!