SUMMER LOVIN': Edible aphrodisiacs A-Z

Who's got time for foreplay these days? Instead of struggling to make the time, head to the kitchen when you need a little help in the bedroom.

A IS FOR ALCOHOL

A little nip is a great way to loosen up inhibitions, but keep it to one or two drinks or you may miss the final act.

B IS FOR BANANAS

A great source of vitamin B6 which helps synthesise the neurotransmitter epinephrine that plays a role in orgasm.

C IS FOR CAYENNE PEPPER

The active ingredient is capsaicin, found in the dried fruit of chilli peppers. Consumed half an hour before sex, it opens the blood vessels, increasing flow to the sexual organs making them more sensitive. Best consumed in chocolate, which also has arousing properties. Chocolate contains tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in sexual arousal and phenylethylamine, which is a stimulant related to amphetamine, released in the brain when people fall in love.

D IS FOR DOUGHNUTS

The Smell And Taste Treatment And Research Foundation in the United States says doughnuts are one of the most alluring smells for men. That's what Thierry Mugler was thinking when he created his alluring fragrance, Angel.

E IS FOR EATING

Drizzle viscous liquid over your partner's body and then lick it off. A sure-fire way to get the passions raging.

F IS FOR FIGS

Split down the middle and cradled in the palm, the fig's pink flesh is said to resemble a woman's sweet spots. Full of iron and potassium-minerals, the ancient Greeks apparently found figs invaluable in their frenzied copulation rituals.

G IS FOR GINSENG

Which means ''man root" and seems to work in Asian cultures, but American researchers remain sceptical of its powers.

H IS FOR HONEY

A great source of boron, a trace mineral that helps the body use and metabolise oestrogen, the female sex hormone. It's also good for increasing testosterone.

I IS FOR IODINE

Essential to the thyroid, which regulates the metabolism, and important for energy levels. Deficiencies weaken the sex drive. Shrimps are a good source.

J IS FOR JASMINE TEA

The smell of jasmine signals spring and ''twitterpation". It's a natural stimulant.

K IS FOR KAVA KAVA

A tea made from this compound, taken an hour before lovemaking, stimulates the genital areas of both sexes.

L IS FOR LIQUORICE

Apart from the sexy sounding name, liquorice tones and stimulates the female sex glands and boosts hormone production. It also contains significant amounts of plant oestrogens.

M IS FOR MUIRA PUAMA OR 'POTENCY WOOD'

Considered a potent herbal aphrodisiac and derived from a shrub native to Brazil. It is a nerve stimulant that enhances sexual function.

N IS FOR NUTMEG

Early Hindu cultures believed nutmeg's warming properties stimulated sexual appetites and its sweetening effect on the breath increased attraction.

O IS FOR OYSTER

They have a suggestive look and taste, and oysters really are aphrodisiacs, largely because of their zinc content. See Z.

P IS FOR POMEGRANATES

The seeds of this luscious red fruit improve blood flow and are said to increase genital sensitivity. For increased arousal break open the pod and eat. Avoid punnets from Woolies.

Q IS FOR QUAI, OR DONG QUAI

A herb in the celery family native to China, Japan, and Korea, quai is considered the ''female ginseng" because of its balancing effect on the female hormonal system.

R IS FOR ROSE ESSENCE

The smell elicits an emotional response that promotes feelings of wellbeing and sexual happiness. Some even claim it helps relieve impotence.

S IS FOR SEA CUCUMBER

High on the list of exotic aphrodisiacs, it is a slimy, sausage-shaped creature that stiffens and squirts liquid. A delicacy in China.

T IS FOR TRUFFLE

The rare, earthy fungus has a pungent flavour with a reputation of being an aphrodisiac from ancient Roman times. The smell is thought to mimic androstenone, which attracts the opposite sex.

U IS FOR UNICORN ROOT

Believed to combat sterility in women.

V IS FOR VANILLA

The smell has a euphoric effect. If consumed, vanilla combats sexual debilitation by having a positive effect on the central nervous system.

W IS FOR WATERMELON

According to sciencedaily.com, this ''lycopene king" has a Viagra-like effect on the body as it relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation.

X IS FOR XANTHIUM SPINOSUM

A plant extract believed to raise libido.

Y IS FOR YOHIMBE

Extracted from the bark of a West African tree, locals believe the herb causes erections by stimulating relevant nerve centres in the spine. Don't overdose though as too much will kill you.

Z IS FOR ZINC

Essential for active sperm production and hormone metabolism. A deficiency of the chemical lowers testosterone levels and leads to decreased zipper usage.