Love is Natural
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(Madison, WI) Despite the best efforts of the world’s pharmacists you won’t be seeing a love potion on your drug store shelves anytime this year. So, as Valentine’s Day approaches those of us looking for something to spice up our love life are on our own. Whether fact or myth, the lure of aphrodisiacs is especially strong during love’s holiday. Many cultures turn to nature when seeking extra help attracting the opposite sex, but there are consequences for our natural world. The global trade in endangered plants and animals is a major threat to biodiversity, the great variety of animals, plants and ecosystems that support life on Earth. Some species, such as tigers and rhinoceros are being hunted to the brink of extinction because their body parts are believed to enhance virility. However the Biodiversity Project, a conservation group based in Madison, WI, offers some advice for those of you looking enhance your Valentine’s evening without harming nature. By now almost everyone has heard about the scientific research linking the chemicals in chocolate to the feelings that a person has when they are in love. As a romantic expression of love, a gift of chocolate is a no-brainer. But consider this when you’re shopping for sweets for your sweet –the chocolate you’re giving with love, may be harming the world we live in. A naturally occurring species, cacao (the plant from which chocolate is harvested) grows in the dense understory of tropical rainforests. As the demand for chocolate has grown, so has the intensity with which it is farmed – requiring the clearing of more native forestland and the introduction of dangerous pesticides. The good news is that ever-resourceful chocolate lovers have begun to find ways to ensure that chocolate can be grown without threatening biodiversity. If you’re hoping to seduce your sweetheart with chocolate, look for organic or sustainably grown brands like Cloud Nine™ and Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate ™. Ginseng is popular around the world as a medicinal supplement. It has a reputation for providing energy and whole-body resilience as well as enhancing sexual performance. Unfortunately wild American ginseng is an endangered species and continues to be threatened by illegal harvesting. This has become a pressing problem in Appalachian natural areas where the National Park Service has launched programs to try to decrease the rate at which the wild root is being poached. This does not mean that all ginseng and related products are illicit. In fact, there are a number of legal ginseng farms in the U.S. and ginseng purchased from commercially processed sources are more likely to be legal and not threaten the future of the wild plant. Red wine is another common symbol of sensuality. The color, taste and resulting intoxication can all lead to romance. The vineyards from which the grapes are harvested however, can be less than sexy if the grapes are grown using chemicals that damage the soil and harm other living things. Consider purchasing organic wines, they are equal to or even higher in quality than some mass-produced wines. When buying organic wines here’s what to look for: “organically grown grapes” means that the fruit for the wine was grown without using pesticides or fertilizers and “organically grown and organically processed” means that chemicals were not used in the vineyard and sulfites were not added during fermentation. As techniques for growing successful organic vineyards become more refined, wine enthusiasts can easily enjoy tasty Merlots and Cabs that were grown with care and without compromising the health of the soil and the environment. February 14 is likely to be a big day for restaurants serving oysters. This delicacy of the sea’s popularity as a performance enhancer may be derived from the mythological Greek goddess of love - Aphrodite who was born from the sea. Unfortunately, pollution and over-harvesting of some fish species have damaged the goddess’s birthplace. The good news is that the methods used to farm oysters means this aphrodisiac is one of the most environmentally friendly seafood choices you can make. Bon Appetite! This Valentine’s Day, love the one you’re with and the one you can’t live without – Mother Earth, by making sure you select sustainable (and sexy!) foods of love.
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