Love yo self-Ayurvedic Aphrodisiacs

Kaam at me yo- I don’t fuck with Valentines day... for obvious reasons but I do fuck with is well, fuckin’, love, connection and depth.  

Growing up brown meant that just like the other 1.35 Billion + of us , I had a very misconstrued idea of intimacy, sensuality and sexuality. We created the Kama Sutra, we have the second largest population in the world and everything has an underlying hint of sex yet it is still a taboo and obsession in our culture. 

India's changed relationship with sex and sexuality is just one of the ugly scars left by colonization and generations later we are still trying to figure our shit out. That being said, we have the ancient scholars and artists writers, musicians and poets to thank for leaving us many invaluable treasures to rediscover. Vātsyāyana is credited with writing the Kama Sutra and contrary to belief, “this work is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves their Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and their Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over their senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of their passions, will obtain success in everything that they may do.’

My goal is always to take ancient wisdom which had a refined intricacy and share how it is applicable to our lives today. Since the underlying concept behind Vday is to celebrate love, I wanted to share with you some magik inspirations that help me conjure up a deep sense of love, gratitude, connection, and joy for myself,my life and my tribe. For a very long time (and even still) I feel us South Asian women have been discouraged from expressing our sensuality  and shamed for our sexuality so I want to encourage women to a cultivate a deeper connection with their divine feminine energy and strengthen our yoni power. Ayurveda always reminds me how to love myself, not just on a surface level treat myself to some processed chocolates and shit but a real authentic cultivation of divine love so here are my favourite Ayurvedic aphrodisiacs & heart openers -

Gulab | rose :The queen of flowers and synonymous with romance and love since the beginning of time and for good reason. Rose is sattvic in nature and connected to the heart chakra. Rose balances sadhaka pitta which governs emotions and their effect on the heart while also enhancing prana vata, which governs the brain, head, chest, respiration, sensory perception, and the mind.

Elaichi | cardamom: Known as the queen of spices and used for centuries in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Cardamom or elaichi is a sweet and warming spice and stimulates the nervous system acting as a natural libido booster

Badam | almond: Almonds are one of the oldest symbols of fertility, you always see the cliche scene in bollywood movies where the groom chugs down a cup of warm milk with almonds on his wedding night because almonds help build strength, ojas and are rich in omega 3. Omega 3 fats are essential in hormone production, reproductive and brain function. 

Shatavari | wild asparagus: In Ayurveda shatavari is used to support women's gynecological health and is known as "one who possesses a hundred husbands" (Can't fathom how one would ever deal with that but you get the point lol). It helps enhance vitality and is rich in phosphorus, potassium and calcium. 

Kajoor | dates : I love dates with ghee! Dates are sweet, energizing and nutritive and with the touch of sattvic sweet ghee they make a delectable treat. Ghee is the substance of love and nourishes the tissues and builds ojas (immunity), makes you more fluid and shine.

Be well + Love yo' self xo