Its fans swear it can cure heart palpitations, dodgy stomachs and even impotence. Yet every year hundreds of people end up in hospital after gorging themselves on Turkeys “mad honey”.
But beekeeper Bayram Demirciler is adamant the honey his bees make high in the mountains above the Black Sea “has never caused any problems”.
In good years his hives in the province of Rize in northeast Turkey produce up to 350 kilos of “mad” rhododendron honey.
The lush green Pontic Alps is home to a subspecies of rhododendron whose purple flowers drip with pollen that give “mad honey” its color. They also contain a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin which can slow the heartbeat and that also packs a hallucinogenic punch.
“This honey is very good for people with hypertension,” said Mustafa Oguz Alparslan, whose hives—protected from sweet-toothed bears by an electric fence—are even higher up the mountains at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet).
But eat too much and “it can also cause a rapid fall in blood pressure”, warned the beekeeper, who said he always “tests his honey as it takes it out the hive”.
Turkey has long been a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners but did you know it may also offer aphrodisiac properties?
Let’s explore the evidence on turkey as a libido and performance enhancer.
A Brief History of Turkey Consumption
Turkey meat has been eaten by Native Americans since ancient times. The Aztecs domesticated the bird as early as 800 BC.
When Spanish explorers arrived in the 15th century, they brought turkeys back to Europe England began eating turkey in the early 16th century
Before the 20th century, pork was the preferred holiday meat. But as turkeys became abundant, they replaced pork at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
By the Victorian era, goose also competed with turkey as the customary Christmas bird. Turkey eventually won out as the preferred festive fowl.
How Turkey May Enhance Sexual Appetite
Though turkey doesn’t have a long history as an aphrodisiac, some evidence suggests it may:
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Promotes Blood Flow Turkey contains amino acids that widen blood vessels, Better circulation can enhance arousal,
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Boosts Norepinephrine: This neurotransmitter is linked to libido. Turkey’s amino acids may stimulate norepinephrine.
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High in Tryptophan: This amino acid is a mild sedative. It can lower inhibitions for increased intimacy.
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Salvador Dali Approved: The eccentric artist was a fan of turkey’s aphrodisiac effects. He left several turkey recipes behind.
So while turkey isn’t a renowned sexual enhancer like oysters, some limited evidence hints it may help get you in the mood.
Best Ways to Consume Turkey as an Aphrodisiac
Luckily, you don’t have to prepare turkey any special way to enjoy its sexy benefits. Just eating it at Thanksgiving or other holidays may do the trick.
But if you want to maximize the bird’s romantic potentials, try these tips:
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Pair with Other Aphrodisiacs: Combine turkey with libido-lifting foods like wine, sweet potatoes, cranberries, or nutmeg.
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Eat the Organ Meats: Opt for giblets like the heart, kidneys, or liver. These are rich in vitamins and minerals.
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Try a Infused Recipe: Look for aphrodisiac-infused recipes using saffron, chili, or rosemary to enhance the turkey.
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Make a Turkey Broth: Simmer the carcass to extract amino acids and minerals into an intimate soup.
So don’t be afraid to gobble down extra helpings of turkey this holiday season. Just don’t overdo it – tryptophan can also cause drowsiness in excess.
Other Tryptophan-Rich Foods for Sex
If turkey isn’t your thing, plenty of other foods also contain tryptophan. Options like chocolate, eggs, cheese, and fish may help get you in the mood.
Some tryptophan-rich foods with aphrodisiac reputations include:
- Oysters
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Figs
- Dates
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Yogurt
- Seeds and nuts
Aim for a balance – amino acids like tryptophan are most effective alongside carbs and a small amount of protein.
Turkey Precautions
While turkey poses fewer concerns than exotic aphrodisiacs like rhino horn, some things to keep in mind:
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Allergies: Turkey can cause food allergy reactions in sensitive people. Go easy if it’s your first turkey rodeo.
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Quality: Opt for fresh, organic, free-range turkey when possible. Mass-produced birds suffer more diseases.
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Overconsumption: Anything in excess can have unintended effects. Stick to reasonable portions.
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Interactions: Check for interactions if on MAO inhibitor antidepressants or sedatives.
Overall, turkey makes a safe, accessible aphrodisiac to try this holiday season. Just exercise common sense and see if gobbling turkey helps fan your sexual flames.
Knocked out a bear
Doctors—who recognize its virtues in small homeopathic doses—say the honey can slow the flow of blood to the brain, causing dizziness, fainting and even hallucinations.
Intoxication with “mad honey” was even documented in ancient times.
The Greek historian Strabo, who was born in the Black Sea region, said three of Pompeys Roman cohorts were put out of action by allies of the Pontian king Mithridates who left “pots of mad honey” in their path.
And it also figured in Agatha Christies novel, “A Haunting in Venice”, filmed last year by Kenneth Branagh.
The “Queen of Crime”—who wrote part of “Murder on the Orient Express” in Istanbul—had Rowena Drake kill her own daughter with it and even used it to give Belgian detective Hercule Poirot visions.
The honey can even put beasts on their back. A young brown bear made headlines in August 2022 when he was found unconscious near hives in Duzce province at the other end of Turkeys Black Sea. It had keeled over after overindulging on “mad honey”, according to the ministry of forestry and agriculture.
The same month a bus driver traveling between Rize and the port city of Trabzon blamed the honey for him passing out and crashing into cars at a traffic light.
In his hospital in Trabzon, Professor Abdulkadir Gunduz treats between “30 and 100” people who have been knocked sideways by the honey in bad years.
The doctor said it was “possible that there are thousands of cases” across the wider region.
“If we have a sunny May and June, the bees will feast on the rhododendrons,” making the honey even stronger, said Professor Gunduz, who has long researched the subject.
One particular detail pricked his interest. “More than 80 percent of the intoxicated patients are men over 50. Some believe (the honey) ups their sexual performance,” he said.
Eleftheria Eleftheriou in Turkey – Aphrodisiac
FAQ
Is turkey meat an aphrodisiac?
What seafood is an aphrodisiac?
Can meat be an aphrodisiac?
What are aphrodisiac drugs?
Aphrodisiacs include food, drinks, or drugs used to increase your libido or sex drive. They may also improve your performance or increase your pleasure during sex. While some substances can impact your body, research often fails to prove their effect on desire. Others can have harmful or even lethal results.
Are oysters aphrodisiac?
Oysters: While research is lacking to support the belief that oysters promote sexual arousal, oysters are rich in zinc, an essential mineral for men’s health, normal sperm function, and fertilization. This is the basis for the thought that oysters are effective aphrodisiac foods for males.
Do foods have aphrodisiac properties?
Several other foods are touted to have aphrodisiac properties, but there’s very little scientific evidence to support these claims. Here are some popular examples: Chocolate: Compounds in cacao are often touted to have an aphrodisiac effect, particularly in women. However, studies provide little evidence to support this belief.
Do aphrodisiac foods have side effects?
However, aphrodisiac foods may also have side effects. An aphrodisiac is a food or drug that arouses sexual instinct, brings on desire, or increases sexual pleasure or performance. A myriad of pharmaceutical drugs are available and marketed specifically for their libido-boosting effects.