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the aphrodisiac history of mustard
In European history, mustard has long been considered a potent aphrodisiac. Throughout much of recorded time, monks were not permitted to ingest mustard for it was believed to lead the men of God down the path to temptation.
The ancient Greeks were the first people that we know of to use mustard in a medical application (mustard seeds were found in Egyptian tombs, indicating that the Egyptians enjoyed the pungent flavoring and perhaps also used the seeds in medical applications). But it was the Greeks who were the first to document mustard’s ability to increase circulation – good circulation leads to good sex! And that may be why mustard was regarded as a sexual aid throughout most of European history – however in China, mustard seed was thought aphrodisiac for its heat in the mouth and ability, when ingested in large enough doses, to warm the body as well.
Mustard’s pungency is part of what earns the seed its aphrodisiac classification. Its intense, spicy flavor is credited with causing a rise in adrenalin. According to the research of Australia’s Dr. Max Lake, mustard causes “maximal stimulation of the pain fraction of taste.” It is this balance of pain and pleasure that brings eaters to gastronomic climax.
Referencing the Worlds Healthiest Foods website, we discovered that part of mustard’s aphrodisiac power probably lies in the nutrients it supplies to the body. Mustard is considered a respectable source of selenium, magnesium and omega 3’s, all essential for maintaining sexual health. (It is also a source of manganese, zinc and dietary fiber).
