By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Let’s face it, us ladies are often wired a little differently when it comes to sex.  (Hello 6 month dry spell of 2006!)  Sometimes we need a little boost to get us in the mood, and luckily there are a bunch of foods out there that can do just that!

Dark Chocolate

As if you need another excuse to eat more chocolate, right?  Well, take this puppy off your guilt list.  Nibbling a square or two of high quality dark chocolate (think 65% dark or higher) a day has been shown to make women feel sexier and improve their sex lives!  In addition to tons of amazing antioxidants, dark chocolate is full of endorphins, anxiety busting tryptophan, and small amounts of anandamide and theobromine, which can destress you and help you get in the mood!  Go for a dairy-free, organic dark chocolate like Nibmor, which you can get at Whole Foods or your local health food store.

Raw Honey

Unprocessed honey is loaded with B vitamins, which help produce testosterone (which we ladies also need for a healthy sex drive).  It also has boron, which helps your body metabolize and use estrogen, a vital hormone for blood flow and arousal!  Dip some Granny Smith apples in honey for a yummy dessert, or use it to sweeten your tea!  My favorite is Wee Bee Naturally Raw Honey.

Nutmeg

A research study on rats showed that this yummy spice bolstered friskiness and sexual activity.  It has properties that simulate the effects of serotonin and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxing the mind and body, and priming you for some lovin’.  Grate some nutmeg into your morning smoothie, into desserts and soups, or on some yummy roasted vegetables like squash!

Oysters

This popular aphrodisiac is loaded with zinc, another testosterone-producing mineral, as well as amino acids that kick other sex hormones into gear.  But make sure to chew your oysters, as opposed to just slurping them, to maximize absorption of all the potent sexy nutrients!  Not a seafood lover?  Go for a 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds instead!

Dark Leafy Greens and Asparagus

You know you have to eat more greens, but how about better orgasms some good motivation?  Dark leafy greens and asparagus are super rich in folate, which regulates the body’s production of histamine, a chemical released during orgasm.

Garlic and Ginger

These spicy health-bombs increase blood flow to your whole body, but most notably, your sexy bits!  They increase arousal, sensitivity and sensation, and can take fooling around from fun to mind-blowing.  I try to use garlic in almost everything I make, from salads (just press a few cloves into your dressing!) to soups, and almost all preparations of veggies.  Ginger works great in Asian dishes, stir-frys, soups, or just a super easy ginger tea!  Rock my immunity boosting Honey Ginger Lemon Tea to keep coughs and colds at bay, AND spice up your sex life!

Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have been shown to not only reduce stress and boost mood, but also increase female libido, improve orgasms, and keep everything lubricated.  If you’re not eating wild Atlantic salmon twice a week, take a high quality fish oil supplement like NOW Super EPA!

Check out this delicious Valentine’s Day dinner menu that uses all these foods, as well as a bunch of male virility boosting foods as well!