Some of my favourite mood, love, energy and libido elevators have been used around the world by indigenous peoples for centuries and some may already be in your kitchen. In true nutritional anthropologist fashion, I had to include a little description of why! Bliss, joy, euphoria, creativity… these feelings can and should be felt every day and with the addition of a few of these magical herbs, you can be feeling all the feels in no time
Theobroma Cacao
The reason why is cacao makes us feel so good, other then the taste, is because it contains ‘bliss chemicals’ including oxytocin - the same hormone released when we are in love, and …
Theobromine comes from the word Theobroma, which literally translates as ‘theo “God" and brosi “food”, which is why we call cacao ‘the food of the gods’! This aphrodisiac alkaloid chemical primarily found in the cocoa plant, stimulates the cardiovascular system, which increases our heart functioning and blood flow - this also gives us the ‘caffein’ like energy! There is some caffeine in cacao (1/2 the amount of theobromine) which also is why it stimulates the nervous system also helps to with that elevated feeling.
Tryptophan The brain uses this amino acid to produce the neurotransmitter Serotonin - the happiness chemical!
Phenylethylamine also a neurotransmitter that is naturally produced in the body when we fall in love, gives us the ‘high feeling’ and Anandamide (in Sanskrit, Ananda means ‘bliss’), also found in cacao is released in the brain when we feel happy!
Cacao is also loaded with iron, has more calcium than cow's milk and in the raw form has the highest concentration of magnesium of any food source.
Schisandra
Schisandra is called the ‘quintessence of tonic herbs’ by Taoist masters as it is the only herb known to be perfectly balanced in Ying-Yang energy. In Traditional Chinese medicine, this queens tonic contains all five flavours; sweet, bitter, salty, sour and pungent, and with this quality can target each of the 5-Yin organs. According to Asian medical cosmology, this adaptogenic berry, contains the three primal forms of life energy known as Jing, Qi and Shen as well as nurtures the five elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
This herb is a new favourite of mine and if often prescribed for clients as it helps to balance hormones, boots fertility + libido, wards off sexual dysfunction, helps with menopausal symptoms and is an amazing reproductive health tonic too! Not to mention, its anti-inflammatory, amazing for stamina and endurance, improves adrenal and liver function.
Horny Goat Weed
According to legend, the name for this traditional herbal aphrodisiac came from a goat herder who noticed his flock became unusually sexually aroused after eating it!
This herb contains a compound called Icariin, which has been shown to promote blood flow as it opens up blood vessels. While it has been studied to have viagra-like effects in men, this is also suggested for women for the same effect!
Ashwagandha
The Sanskrit word 'ashwagandha' is translated as 'the smell of a horse' has been used for over 3000 years in the Ayurvedic tradition, and as the name suggests reflects its ability to bring you the strength, vitality and stamina of a stallion. It is a powerful adaptogen which means it ‘adapts’ to your body and help it manage stress, anxiety, depression, boost brain function, fertility and energy levels.
Mucuna Puriens
Also known as “velvet bean” and "dopa-bean", Mucuna Puriens grows in the same tropical regions where cacao also grows. The indigenous cultures of Central America traditionally brewed it as a coffee-like beverage, similar to cacao but today it is the powder form. The mood-regulating, pleasure enhancing and brain-enhancing qualities of this bean come from its high levels of the naturally occurring L-dopa, the precursor to dopamine, it contains. Without adequate dopamine in our bodies, we often feel depressed, lethargic, tired, and have difficulty concentrating.
Other favourites include Vanilla, Maca, Guarana, Chilli, Ginseng as well as Avocado, Figs and Wine!
Fancy experimenting; try one of my favourite ways to use treat myself on days like this!