Sex life need a boost? Why not try this natural remedy

ACCORDING to experts, antioxidants are critical for a healthy libido.

Aside from enhancing general health, antioxidants also allow for the healthy functioning of vital blood vessels and capillaries necessary for optimal sexual function.

In addition, antioxidants also ensure that neurons keep firing feel-good messages to the brain, which is considered the most important organ in the body as far as intimacy is concerned.

According to the SA Rooibos Council, the tea is exceptionally rich in antioxidants – in fact, it contains 50 percent more antioxidants than green tea, ranking right up there with other libido jump-starters like red wine and oysters.

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Adele du Toit, spokesman for the SA Rooibos Council explains that antioxidants are substances that are not naturally produced in the human body. Instead, they are obtained through consuming brightly coloured fruits, vegetables and in particular, rooibos tea.

“Antioxidants can be thought of as the ‘waste collectors’ of the nutritional world. They clean up free radicals in the blood that are produced through the oxygenation process as cells use energy. Free radical accumulation is associated with degenerative illnesses, aging and some life-threating diseases.

“More research continues to confirm the link between foods that we eat, our sense of well-being and even our emotions. Eating correctly, by incorporating food and beverages that are high in antioxidants, such as rooibos tea, is one of the best ways to boost your libido.

The good news is that these foods don’t have to break the bank.

“Rooibos tea for example sells for a fraction of the cost of a bottle of good red wine. Alternatively, look for a wine that contains rooibos, to get the best of both,” says Ms du Toit.

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For those looking forward to a romantic night in, here are a few rooibos delicacies that are sure to enhance the romantic mood:

As a starter, serve venison (or beef) carpaccio with rooibos balsamic reduction, Melba toast, rocket and cocktail tomatoes. If you have difficulty in slicing the meat thinly enough to be served raw, place your slices between two sheets of lightly oiled cling film and roll out with a rolling pin.

For the rooibos balsamic reduction, simmer one litre of balsamic vinegar, with eight rooibos teabags, two sticks of cinnamon and four tablespoons of brown sugar until it is thick and syrupy. This could take an hour, so don’t leave it to the last minute. It also needs to be stirred frequently.

Not only is salmon perfect for a romantic dinner, eating oily fish may enhance your feeling of well-being as the Omega 3 it contains can boost your dopamine levels – a neurotransmitter vital in supporting your libido.

You will need fillet of salmon, skin on and pin boned, three cups of strong brewed rooibos tea, one lemon (sliced) a quarter of a cup of honey, a teaspoon of whole peppercorns and a tablespoon of sea salt.

Brew the tea and then add it to a wide bottomed pot or pan along with the lemon, honey, salt and peppercorns. Bring to a simmer. Add the salmon, skin side up, and poach at a very gentle simmer it for five to eight minutes depending on the size. Flip the salmon about three-quarters of the way through the cooking time.

Serve with a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, honey, extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt and freshly ground pepper.

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For dessert, make a trifle using red espresso rooibos tea both in the custard and to soften the cake. Garnish with cream, raspberries and toasted almond flakes.

(Information from the SA Rooibos Council)

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