Superfoods for Sexual Health
“let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”
-Hippocrates
One of my favorite parts of studying holistic nutrition was (and still is) researching the magnificent foods that nature has created for to heal and nourish the human body. I purchased this book about a year ago and, to this day, it remains a staple in my continuing education about how to heal both big and small ailments through nutrition.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day coming up next week, I thought it would be fun to discuss a few superfoods that are incredible aphrodisiacs and libido boosters, because why not acknowledge that we’re all sexual beings and need a little lovin’ in our lives? These three superfoods are a few tried and true staples in my ever-expanding pantry of tonics and I’ve found an insanely delicious way to combine all three in one recipe (see below).
Pine Pollen
This superfood is exactly what it sounds like: the pollen of a pine tree. Pine Pollen is an adaptogen and tonic herb which means that it will adapt to your body’s needs at any given time (so cool, right?) and you can take it every day without any negative effects on the body. Aside from being incredibly nutrient dense, pine pollen is also known as an androgen, meaning it has the ability to create testosterone in the body, something that is very rare in nature. Contrary to popular belief, testosterone and important hormone for both males and females because it helps to create dopamine, the “feel good” chemical in the brain released during orgasm. Pine Pollen also contains arginine which increases fertility in both men and women. Are you convinced that this is a must-have in your pantry? You can find it here.
Cacao
I could go on and on forever about my love for cacao powder, but I’ll just cover the basics here. Admittedly, I am not a huge chocolate lover (my husband on the other hand…), but the benefits of cacao are just too good to pass up. I drink it almost every morning in my berry cacao smoothie (you can find that recipe here) and am a huge fan of it’s energy-boosting properties. Cacao is known to contain the highest natural source of magnesium, which is great for muscle relaxation and better sleep, and naturally boosts libido. If you choose to eat your cacao instead of using the powder form, make sure it is organic, low in sugar, and filler-free (i.e. no soy lecithin). I love this brand of cacao powder and have recently fallen in love with zenbunni chocolates, too.
Maca
Last Spring when we visited Peru (where this superfood hails from), we would see literal buckets of maca in local markets. It is one of the very few crops that can grow at extremely high altitudes and the tough conditions of the Andes mountains, and as a result, helps the body get through challenging and stressful situations like infertility and low energy. This root is ground into powder form, has a very distinct taste (think earthy caramel, in a good way) and works well in just about any smoothie or warm beverage. Maca gives you an insane energy boost due to it’s high concentration of B vitamins, helps with mood balance, and increases immunity, vitality, and fertility. I’m a big fan of Earth Circle’s potent powder.
SUPERFOOD HOT CHOCOLATE
This recipe is my go-to when I want something warm and slightly sweet but without the jittery edge that coffee gives me. I recommend heating all of the ingredients together in a small saucepan (microwaves kill so many nutrients!) and then either using a whisk or blender to mix it all together.
1 cup nut milk of choice
(I prefer milkadamia or homemade cashew milk)
1 tsp. cacao powder
1/2 tsp. pine pollen
1/2 tsp. maca powder
sweetener of choice
(I love to use 1/2 tsp. coconut sugar or a couple of drops of stevia)
optional: spice things up with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper!
