Salad. The variety; the texture; the sweet, salty, slippery, spicy, and crunchy components all tumbling together in a big wooden bowl… honestly; salads can be most exciting. They can be good for our bones, muscles, skin, waist-lines and when made with the right ingredients, they can be spectacular for our sex drive. It would be easy for me to give you aphrodisiac salad recipes, but we all have our preferences. And it best to choose from amongst our own desires. Many salad ingredients have long been used as aphrodisiacs, included are certain: vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, nuts, herbs, and dressing oils. All add their own feel to the tongue. Each ingredient lends a unique flavor and distinctive healing qualities. When a salad is layered correctly it can send fireworks of pleasure off in your mouth. That pleasure will move to your whole self. And if your salad is mixed properly, those fireworks will keep on shooting long after the meal is over. No pyrotechnics required. Here' your fuel.

The Vegetables

Arugula: Arugula has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. Both the ancient Egyptians and Romans believed in the aphrodisiac powers of arugula. It' also a good source of vitamin A (which improves night vision) and can help digestion. Fresh, flavorful arugula makes a perfect bed to lay the rest of your ingredients atop.

Carrots: Carrots are also high in vitamin A. Some think they can stimulate the male sex drive. Because of it' phallus shape, the carrot has long been associated with sex. Middle Eastern royalty used carrots to seduce their lovers. There is a story about Emperor Caligula (A.D. 37-51). It is said that he once served every member of the Roman Senate a feast entirely made up of carrot dishes hoping to get them horny and turn it into an orgy.

Celery: Celery is another vegetable renown for it' phallic form. Aphrodisiac effects of celery have been reported as far back as the middle ages. Celery is loaded with nutrients, it aids digestion, and is said to stimulate the pituitary gland, which produces sex hormones.

Asparagus: Rich in vitamin E, asparagus is also said to produce sex hormones. Like carrots and celery, it has a phallic shape, perfect for feeding to your lover. Cooked and chilled asparagus lends its distinctive flavor and feel to aphrodisiac salads.

Onions: These delicious vegetables (my favorite variety is Vidalia {Sweet and crunchy; they go in most of my salads}) have many delicious stories associate with them. Folklore aside, onions have been known to: stimulate blood flow, increase libido, and strengthen reproductive organs. At one time, French newlyweds would eat onions after their weddings to get their libido ready for the honey moon.

The Fruits

Tomatoes: Juicy and seedy, sliced or diced, grape tomato, heirloom or any of countless varieties, fresh tomatoes are aphrodisiacs. It has been accepted that eating fresh tomatoes can increase the desire for sex. The French call tomatoes "pommes d'amour," apples of love, due to their aphrodisiac nature.

Avocados: Nutty and when ripened to the peak, avocados have a texture unlike any other fruit. The Aztecs call the avocado tree, "Ahuacuatl," which means "Testicle Tree." And because of their sexual shape, they have been considered aphrodisiacs through the centuries.

Olives: Some say that green olives make men more virile, while black olives increase a woman' libido.

Legumes

Chickpeas: Chickpeas contain a wealth of nutrients (including thiamin, niacin, iron and more) in a convenient little package. In the 6th century, chickpeas were considered an aphrodisiac. Interestingly, lentils were thought to have the reverse outcome (Which is probably why lentils were consumed in monasteries). It was said that that the Egyptians were forbidden to eat chick peas in order to teach them to appreciate abstention. Pop a chick pea in your lover' mouth and see what happens.

Seeds and Nuts

Mustard Seeds: Because of the sexual nature of seeds, they are all symbols of sexuality, thus are, or were at one time, considered aphrodisiacs. The ancient Chinese, in particular, believed in aphrodisiac power of mustard seeds.

Mustard is popular in salad dressings (think honey Dijon), however not many people utilize the seeds (from where mustard comes) in salads. The seeds add a pungent mustard tang as well as a sensuous quality to salads. The seeds feel nice on the tongue and are fun to bite into. Mustard seeds are said to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire.

Poppy Seeds: The poppy is a cute red flower which has been used as an important medicinal plant. For those who don’t know, opium (which is known as an aphrodisiac, as well as many other things) is made from the poppy. Poppy seeds themselves are considered an aphrodisiac. Folklore exists about magical properties of the seeds which where once used in potions to induce love or brewed with the intent to seduce. As well as helping libido poppy seeds are also used medicinally to relax, sedate, and ease the stomach.

Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are rich in zinc, and zinc is great for the male sex drive. Pine nuts have been used as an aphrodisiac as early as Medieval times. Toasted, they are a wonderful salad topping. The ancient Greeks and well as many Middle Eastern cultures used pine nuts as aphrodisiacs.

The Herbs

Black Pepper: Black Pepper is associated with courage and is an acknowledged as an aphrodisiac. The fruits are used as: a carminative, an aphrodisiac, a diuretic, a digestive and a stimulant. Black Pepper' distinctive scent (which may make you sneeze in too high a dose) comes from the volatile oil found in the flesh and skin of the pepper corn.

Saffron: Saffron is expensive, but worth it. This is because each saffron strand must be hand-plucked. It' labor intensive work to produce saffron. Saffron would work best on a salad that includes fish (see below). It' also wonderful with tomatoes and olives (see above). It does have number of healing properties. Saffron is presumed to work like a sex hormone and is considered an aphrodisiac. Too much may act as a narcotic and may food taste terrible. Therefore, although it is expensive, about five strands per serving of salad should hit the spot.

Basil: Basil is known to bring about feelings of well-being. It' also recognized to stimulate sex drive and help fertility. In Haitian lore it is thought to bring about sensuality and has been used in many a Voodoo love ceremony.

It has many medicinal uses including aiding in digestion and working as an anti-bacterial. Fresh basil has a very pleasant scent. It also tastes great in salads containing tomatoes and olives.

Sea Toppings

Seafood Salad: Seafood salad made shellfish (crabs, scallops, lobster and other sea scavengers) will add both protein and libido enhancing properties to your salad. Shellfish are considered the most potent aphrodisiacs from the sea. They contain phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, B vitamins and other important minerals which work to give the body sexual charge. Oysters in particular have a reputation for turning us on. This is due to their high zinc concentration, so don’t be afraid to toss a few into your salad.

Lox or Smoked Fish: Lox made from salmon and other smoked (oily) fish contain: phosphorus, calcium and vitamins that can give the libido a boost. Oily fish is generally low in saturated fat and calories; it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol, protect the heart and circulation, and are recommended for preventing heart disease and certain cancers. They say eating fish adds wisdom. This may be because Omega-3 oils play an important role in helping our brains develop. Lox and smoked fish are also a good source of protein which is vital for stamina. Adding these delicious, sensuous, fish is a fine way to boost the aphrodisiac quality of your salad while adding a smoky, salty flavor and an interesting feel.

Alternative High-Protein Aphrodisiac

Soft Boiled Eggs: They are simple, yet sexy. All eggs (including: chicken, turtle, fish {called roe}), because they are created from sexual organs, have been considered aphrodisiacs. It is said that eating raw chicken eggs before sex acts as an enhancer. If you’re willing to meet the myth halfway, soft-boil them.

Dressing For Success (In the Bedroom)

Olive Oil: Olive oil contains Vitamin E which has been known help stimulate sex drive. It mixes well with vinegar, basil, and black pepper.

Balsamic Vinegar: When mixed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar makes a tasty dressing. Vinegar is sometimes used to break down and make available the vitamins and other medicinal elements in herbs, vegetables, and some of our other salad toppings. It is said that Casanova drank vinegar for its aphrodisiac properties.

Garlic: Creamy garlic, Italian garlic, many dressings can be made with garlic. In a dressing form, garlic is less potent, thus will not be such a risk to breath (usually a mint should do the trick). Garlic certainly has a reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is also a preventative and an antibacterial. It has been used for centuries: to ail the common cold, for heart problems, to heal infections, and so much more.

Now, for those who would like a recipe to get started, here is one from a former article in this column.

Salad of Bounty

Ingredients:

Arugula: Arugula has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. It' also a good source of vitamin A (which improves night vision).

Avocado: The Aztec word for the avocado tree is "Ahuacuatl" which means "testicle tree." Avocados have a delicious nutty flavor, and they feel wonderful on the tongue.

Black Olives: Black Olives are used in so many aphrodisiac recipes. They are milder than green olives and look beautiful in foods.

Toasted Pine Nuts: A key mineral necessary to maintain male potency is zinc and pine nuts have plenty. Pine nuts have been used to enhance libido as far back as medieval times.

Balsamic Vinegar: This is a versatile, flavorful dressing. It is said that Casanova took it for its aphrodisiac properties.Olive Oil: Olive oil contains Vitamin E, which has been known to help stimulate sex drive.Black Pepper: Black Pepper is associated with courage and is an acknowledged aphrodisiac.

Preparation:

Cut and Toss - Measure to taste.

There are, of course, countless ingredients that can go into a good aphrodisiac salad. Many foods you may not have considered before have healing and/or aphrodisiac properties. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your salad as down to earth as possible. That is, use fresh, natural foods. Read the labels on store bought salad dressing to make sure it is not loaded with chemicals, but rather spices, oils, cheese and the like. Or, better yet, make your own salad dressing using ingredients you trust. Keep in mind fat, cholesterol and salt levels in the foods you choose, because a healthy body is a horny body. Relax while you eat. Enjoy gazing into your lover' eyes as your graze on a huge aphrodisiac salad in the summer time.