The lights are dimmed, the candles are flickering and it’s time for the ambience of some romantic music so you can make your move.

What will you choose as the perfect backing track for love? It seems that traditional ballads and wedding disco favourites are still doing the trick, according to a recent poll of 5,000 music fans.

Bryan Adams has been given the glory of releasing the greatest love song ever, according to the poll, with (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, which spent a staggering 16 weeks at number one in the charts in 1991 and sold more than 1.5 million copies after being featured on the soundtrack of the movie Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.

American rockers Bon Jovi came second with their 1994 power ballad Always, followed by Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, from The Bodyguard soundtrack. Aerosmith were voted into fourth place with I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing, while Celine Dion’s slushy Titanic theme song My Heart Will Go On is at number five.

Sixth place went to Sinead O’Connor with her 1990 song Nothing Compares 2 U. The song, written by Prince, is so emotional, that the Irish singer shed unintentional tears while filming the video. Elton John is at number seven with Your Song, while Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers came eighth. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, and Bee Gees’ How Deep is Your Love completed the top ten, which was compiled by OnePoll.com.

Rhian Gibbings

According to the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey only 40 percent of us in the UK are satisfied with what’s going on in the bedroom.

So perhaps a good helping of aphrodisiac food once in a while will boost the hormones and help improve the ratings.

The term “aphrodisiac” has its roots in Greek mythology when Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, rose from the sea on an oyster and gave birth to Eros. In ancient Greece, emphasis was placed upon fertility and sexual prowess rather than libido levels.

Foods which have traditionally been considered to have aphrodisiac qualities might not always seem that appetising – personally I find oysters a little hard to swallow – but using some imagination and creative presentation, why not tuck into some delicious aphrodisiac treats that are sure to start the blood flowing and set the hormones into a spin.

Strawberries are a perfect finger food — passionate red with sweet, sticky juice that is sure to tantalise your lover. They are also high in Vitamin C, which is needed for the growth and repair of body cells, keeping the skin, teeth and bones healthy. The amino acids in strawberries will help boost both libido and stamina.

Bananas are a fantastic source of energy, so feeding them to your lover will ensure they don’t run out of steam. They are rich in B vitamins which are essential in sexual hormone production and have been known to do wonders for the male libido.

Delicious asparagus is rich in Vitamin E, which is famed for its ability to stimulate increased sexual powers. Asparagus can be eaten as a finger food stem by stem. A bit of Hollandaise can really add to the sauce of this sexy starter.

Figs have always been considered an aphrodisiac food, partly due to their resemblance to sexual organs. They also contain the vital amino acids needed for a healthy sexual performance.

Basil is great for the circulation, and as we all know, sexual stamina is dependent upon blood flow. The sweet, green leaves are also said to boost fertility and our sense of safety, relaxation and well-being. The potent scent of Basil was traditionally said to attract the opposite sex.

Finally, nobody can argue that chocolate has to be the food of love. It contains a stimulant that creates a natural high, which feels similar to the effect of the release of endorphins in the brain. There are a million ways to have fun with chocolate, and containing more antioxidants than red wine, it should be great to stimulate those long lasting passionate encounters.

Rhian Gibbings

Have you ever wondered where the phrase “sowing your wild oats” came from? Well, it’s a fact that the sexually stimulating effects of oats have been known for years.

It has been widely reported that eating porridge oats can balance the hormones and boost testosterone levels, which has a direct effect on the libido.

However, oats are responsible for much more than that, according to “wise woman”, Susun Weed, who states that oats and oatstraw are a modern-day love potion.

It’s claimed that oats and oatstraw clear fatty deposits from the blood, lowering cholesterol levels and easing the beat of the heart. Weed says that that oats will nourish the nerves so that you receive more pleasure from touch, revitalise the glands so that hormones flow more readily and increase the blood flow so that it can circulate freely to the pelvis.

In addition, Oats can stabilise the blood sugar levels so that you’re not dropping off when the action heats up!

In her book, Healing Wise, Weed suggests a daily dose of fresh Oatstraw Tincture, or 1-4 cups of Oatstraw infusion every day, will act as a rejuvenator and love potion. Oatstraw baths are also recommended as a “delicious experience”.

If you don’t fancy that, however, perhaps a nice warm bowl of porridge in bed on a winter morning will do the trick!

Source: Susun Weed — Healing Wise

Rhian Gibbings