There's something special about this time of the year: the changing leaves, the warm days and those cool romantic nights. This is the time of year to have fun with pumpkin carving, Halloween decorations, costumes and candy. Have even more fun energizing your sex life by preparing and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables possessing aphrodisiac properties.

A particular vegetable or fruit does not need to have to a physiological effect on the body to be counted as an aphrodisiac. Visually attractive food with sensual textures and suggestive shapes can help put your lover in a relaxed and receptive mood. Use them to create a romantic meal for a special someone and enhance the probability of a sexual encounter.

Many vegetables besides pumpkins are suitable for planting in the summer for fall harvest. Here are some vegetables and fruits that you can harvest or purchase and enjoy this month:

Beets - Beta vulgaris (beetroot) has been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times. At least since Roman times, juice from the roots of Beta vulgaris has been considered an aphrodisiac . The root’s power is in its high boron content, a mineral thought to influence the production of sexual hormones. Consuming one of nature’s sweetest vegetables also helps improve overall health, as well as being an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Celery - For a long time, people believed that celery's aphrodisiac properties were a myth. We know today it contains androsterone, a hormone naturally produced in males that stimulates sexual arousal in females. Scientists believe androsterone is released through perspiration after eating. If you are a man, your partner may not be aware of the odor, but because androsterone is thought to attract females, don't be surprised if she suddenly becomes affectionate. Further studies are needed to verify these claims. The roots, leaves and celery seeds have been used for therapeutic purposes in treating and preventing diseases as far back as ancient Greece. Celery is also a low-calorie way to get vitamin C, lutein and potassium.

Corn - Corn silk, the silky tassels running the length on the inside, is not considered a food but tea made from the silk has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine. Native Americans have used it to treat infertility and menstrual pain. Corn silk can be used whenever chronic irritation or inflammation exists in any part of the urinary tract or kidneys. Corn silk contains many of the phytochemicals found in barley greens, the thymol present in thyme, and also the menthol found in mint. It may or may not contain vitamin K, depending on the growing conditions and how it is stored.         

Although corn silk is helpful for urinary and reproductive health, the active agent in aphrodisiac matters is the corn grain. This is consumed by preparing the flour resulting from the grinding of the grains. But corn grain is also used in the shape of grouts, popcorn, flakes, germs and husks. Suddenly, cornflakes for breakfast does not seem such a boring option.

Cucumbers and licorice – An unlikely aphrodisiac. Alan R. Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, conducted a study that looked at how different aromas stimulate sexual arousal. For women, the smell of licorice (specifically, Good & Plenty candy) combined with the scent of cucumber created the largest increase in blood flow to the vagina. Cucumbers also contain vitamin E (beneficial to muscles) and iodine, as well as cleansing minerals sulphur and chlorine. If you’re going on a movie date, consider your choice of candy carefully!

Eggplant - Though we think of it as a “vegetable,” it’s actually a fruit, a berry and a member of the nightshade family that’s related to the potato and tomato. Sixteenth century Spaniards preferred it for its love-inducing qualities. Eggplant is a good choice because its high fiber content aids the digestive system and helps lower the risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, eggplant contains potassium, Vitamin C and protein. Try serving it to your lover.

Garlic – It’s considered by Greeks, Romans and ancient Orientals to be the perfect food to give lovers strength and endurance. Garlic is easy to grow and can be grown year round in mild climates. In cold climates, cloves can be planted in the ground about six weeks before the soil freezes and harvested in late spring. However, use with caution and enjoy with your partner—you don’t want to be the only one with the side effects. After eating a large quantity of garlic, a person will usually have bad breath. Their sweat and excreted oils, including vaginal secretions, mucus and earwax, will also smell like garlic. The odor will fade over the course of a few days.

Lettuce - The garden lettuce is believed to be a selected form of the bitter-leaved wild species (Lactuca serriola) found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The ancient Egyptians are thought to have been the first to cultivate it; they believed it to be an aphrodisiac. 

Squash – This is one vegetable that throughout history was thought to increase sexual desire and increase sperm count. The seeds contain fatty oil, protein and vitamin E that is important for healthy sexuality.

Apples – You’ve heard about the temptation of Adam and Eve—and their subsequent downfall in the Garden of Eden. The ancient Greeks also loved the apple. Instead of slipping a ring onto a fair maiden's finger, it was custom for a Greek warrior to toss an apple to the one he desired. If she caught the fruit, the act was as good as an engagement.

High in antioxidants, the free radical-fighting power contained in apples enhances natural anti-aging abilities while helping to fight cancer. Although apples deliver a boost of sweetness, their elevated pectin content avoids the hyper high and depressing crash experienced after eating sweets. Instead, their even energy distribution is a great source of sustenance for a few hours of great sex.

Grapes - The history of grapes is as old as the history of mankind. Evidence shows that in ancient Egypt grapes were being made into wine, one of the world’s supreme symbols of romance. Grape seed oil also has excellent free radical-fighting properties, packed with age-defying antioxidants, and can be used in either cooking or as a massage oil. There is also evidence that these little jewels of seduction could prove powerful in the fight against cancer. Try hand feeding them to your lover for a sensual treat.

Peaches – They are also considered a seductive fruit because of their shape and texture of the fleshy inner fruit. Some claim that peaches increase their sexual libido. This may be a purely a psychological effect or the result of the high doses of vitamins, nutrients and minerals present in the fruit. Harvest time is mid-July to mid-September in New York State. Preserve some and work them into your romantic dinner.

Pears – Visually appealing because of their suggestive shape, pears have been believed for hundreds of years to hold aphrodisiac qualities in Italy; even the conservative Swiss apparently recognized the power of the pear. Another reason pears are considered an aphrodisiac fruit is because they contain vitamin A, which aids in the production of sex hormones. One medium-sized fresh pear has 5 grams of fiber, or 20 percent of the recommended daily amount. Studies show that people who eat high-fiber diets tend to have a lower body weight. Recent studies from Penn State University and Tufts University support this theory. 

Watermelon - Watermelon rinds could be the new natural aphrodisiac. Researchers from Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center say a nutrient in the fruit's rind may have a Viagra-like effect. The reason is the flesh and rind of watermelons contains citrulline, which reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities. The compound is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart, circulatory and immune systems. Similar to drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, arginine also helps relax and dilate blood vessels.

Researchers are now developing and growing watermelons with higher concentrations of citrulline in the flesh of the fruit. Nearly 60 percent of this phyto-nutrient is found in the watermelon rind rather than the flesh. Though found in all colors of watermelon, it has the highest concentration in the yellow fleshed types. If you want to try it, keep in mind a person would need to eat about six cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to boost the body's arginine level and have the desired effect. That’s a lot of melon!

Vegetables and fruits fresh from the farm or just picked are more nutritious than their frozen or canned counterparts, but frozen and canned are an acceptable nutritional alternative. Be aware of the amount of salt added to canned vegetables; buy those without added salt when possible. And, don't overcook. Have fun and stay healthy.