By Lubna Abdel-Aziz "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" There are many components to this universal, all-consuming human relation. The subject has occupied philosophers, poets, historians and scientists throughout history, yet the mysteries of how, when and why we fall in love are largely unfathomable. Many scientists have attempted to break it down to chemistry and chemicals, but we prefer to understand love through the wisdom of poets, the tales of the love-struck and the musings of romantic musicians. Scientists and experts still insist on presenting their observations and conclusions. They tell us why we choose to love one person over another, and how romantic love biologically affects our feelings of physical attraction. Once in love, we seek to express it and preserve it. Valentine's Day grants us an opportunity to express love in a variety of ways, not least among them are the traditional gifts of chocolate, perfume, red roses and champagne. According to experts, while those objects may seem innocent on the surface, they are in fact weapons in the artillery of the pursuit of love.. Champagne, as with all alcohol, loosens inhibitions and raises the levels of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepenephrine, which stimulates the production of adrenaline. Red roses pleasure the eyes and nose, but also give hints of other pleasures. Perfumes contain essences of flowers mixed with such substances as musk, believed to be a stimulant. As for chocolate, it is rightly described as sinful. With a harem of 600 women, Emperor Montezuma consumed 50 cups of the brew daily. Chocolate contains mild central nervous system stimulants as well as amphetamine-like chemicals, known as pheromones.. Those are just a few of the so-called aphrodisiacs that arouse romance and desire in man and beast. Aphrodisiacs were named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. For 5000 years love-seekers have sought the aid of love inspiring objects. While the US Food and Drug Administration declared in 1989, that aphrodisiacs have no scientific basis or proven effects, the demand for them continues to grow.. Foods such as oysters, caviar, figs, eggs, asparagus, camel's milk and ginseng are widely used in certain cultures , often for good reason. Oysters contain zinc, which improves the well-being of zinc- deficient lovers. Ginseng, a nutrient plant, native to Korea, Russia and China is reputed to be a tonic for the nervous system, while asparagus is a rich source of potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Perhaps they are conducive to love, in any case they will do no harm. How about just relaxing over a casual cup of cappuccino, that seems innocent enough, but is not without its subtleties. The popular coffee drink was first concocted by the Capucine or Capuchin monks of the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500s. Primarily noted for their piety, they may have found solace for their celibacy in their milk and coffee brew. Why are truffles such an extremely expensive delicacy? They are not pretty to look at and have a strong odour that only trained dogs and pigs can easily sniff. Are they sought merely for their taste or because they contain a chemical similar to a male hormone? More than one sense is engaged in the pursuit of love. The long-lasting odour of musk is an important ingredient in perfumes.. It is withdrawn from the abdominal gland of the musk deer found in high Asian mountains, where it is sought as an aphrodisiac The basic oil, that is the source of the odour has been identified as muskone, and is believed to be medically beneficial as a stimulant. We use the synthetic version regularly in soaps and cosmetics. As late as the Middle Ages, a dose of the mandrake plant was given to patients as a narcotic before surgical operations. Also known as 'mayapple', the mandrake has tradtionally been the object of superstition, perhaps because of its branched shape which was thought to resemble the human body. The ancients believed in the magic power of this purplish- flowered root, and regarded it as a charm for pregnancy, invulnerability and as a luck charm for discovering treasures.. In the Odyssey, the sorceress Circe drops mandrake into her potent brew. The root has been used in love potions as late as the 17th century. Artichokes are still easily available and they too seem to be legendary aphrodisiacs. At one time in the streets of Paris you could hear the cry of street-vendors selling this strangely shaped vegetable: " Artichokes, Artichokes, heal the body and the spirit", they would cry.. Catherine De Medici must have heeded them , as her love diet included many artichokes. Why do we go to such lengths to seek, acquire, preserve and protect love? Love lends a delicious sort of blissful torture, sparking a natural form of intoxication that adds colour and meaning to our existence. While music may be the food of love, it is not alone. Food is also the food of love. According to "Aphrodisiac Growers Quarterly", yes, there is such a publication, in 98% of 500 romantic scenes in literature, romance was induced by aphrodisiac-laden meals. Do these recipes for romance work? Scientists believe that human romance evolved for reasons of survival. More baffling and complex of all human emotions, anthropologists believe it is a human drive, hardwired into our brains by millions of years of evolution. It is as powerful a drive as hunger. No wonder we resort to seemingly ludicrous methods to obtain it. There is no way we can definitely prove that aphrodisiacs are effective. It wholly depends on one's personal convictions , the old mind over matter theory. If you think they work, they will work. Mysterious, indefinable. multi-dimensional, romantic love is the height of unconsciousness, blinding us to reality. As we swing from euphoria to despair, from agony to ecstasy we hang on to that euphoric emotion, that alas is often only too brief.. Why do fools fall in love.? .no one needs to know, especially not lovers. Love has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. Armed with an artillery of love inducing potions , let us continue with this noble tradition. Lovers should seize the day, Valentine's day, any day, every day, in order to kindle anew, the fires of love. Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime, Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time. -- John Donne (1572-1631)
