We have to laugh at this research, given the latest news that there is a gay test being developed by Kuwait to weed out homosexuals from Gulf regions: scientists from Israel and Switzerland find that while many kinds of insects and spiders “act” gay, they probably are gay by accident.

Inon Scharf of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Zoology and Oliver Martin of ETH Zurich have found that homosexual behavior in bugs is probably accidental in most cases.

In the rush to produce offspring, bugs do not take much time to inspect their mates’ gender, potentially leading to same-sex mating, found their study now published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.

“Insects and spiders mate quick and dirty,” Scharf observes. “The cost of taking the time to identify the gender of mates or the cost of hesitation appears to be greater than the cost of making some mistakes.”

Friends without benefits? 

In birds and mammals, homosexual behavior has been shown to have evolutionary benefits. It provides “practice” for young adults and maintains alliances within groups. Scientists have recently tried to find explanations for similar behavior in insects, suggesting it could serve to prepare for heterosexual courtship, dispose of old sperm, discourage predators, and distract competitors.

But in reviewing research on some 110 species of male insects and spiders, the researchers found that the available evidence weakly supports such adaptive theories. In general there is no clear benefit to homosexual behavior in insects.

The costs, on the other hand, can be considerable. Homosexual mating is at least as risky as the heterosexual kind, expending sperm, wasting time that could go toward other activities, and boosting the risk of injury, disease, and predation.

In a previous study, the researchers found that all of these factors shorten the lives of heterosexually active males by an average of 25 percent. They expect homosexual behavior to be similarly costly.

And yet, in some species, up to 85 percent of males engage in homosexual behavior. The researchers say this is not because bugs directly benefit from the behavior, but because they mistake other males for females. Almost 80 percent of the cases of homosexual behavior the researchers appeared to be the result of misidentification or belated identification of gender. In some cases, males carry around the scents of females they have just mated with, sending confusing signals to other males. In other cases, males and females look so similar to one another that males cannot tell if potential mates are female until after they have mounted them

The researchers say insects and spiders probably have not evolved to be more discriminating in their mating choices because the cost of rejecting an opportunity to mate with a female is greater than that of mistakenly mating with a male.

This explanation is supported by the fact that many species that exhibit homosexual behavior also mate with related species or inanimate objects, like beer bottles — indicating a general tendency toward misidentification. It is also possible that sexual enthusiasm in bugs is related to other evolutionarily beneficial traits, the researchers say.

“Homosexual behavior may be genomically linked to being more active, a better forager, or a better competitor,” says Schart. “So even though misidentifying mates isn’t a desirable trait, it’s part of a package of traits that leaves the insect better adapted overall.”

To confirm their theory, the researchers plan to study the conditions that make homosexual behavior more or less likely in bugs. They also want to look more deeply into male resistance to homosexual mating.

As for Kuwait and the gay test: We guess the bugs will be allowed to stay.

Image via dominiqs

The post Middle East and Swiss Researchers: Bugs Not Gay appeared first on Green Prophet.

BPA though banned in products like baby bottles is still all around us. An ‘estrogen mimicker’, it has been linked to precocious puberty in females and the feminization of males including urogenital defects and malformed penises.

Plastics that are labeled with a number 7 contain BPA. While governments around the world have taken measures to reduce exposure to this chemical, estimates are that up to 90 percent of humans have traces in their bodies. So we have to ask, where is the BPA, or Bisphenol A, coming from? Read on to find out good reasons why you should limit plastic in your lives, including what’s in your food, and every bit of plastic that goes into your kid’s mouth.

The state of California recently put another nail in BPA’s coffin, listing it as a reproductive toxin.

The downside is that this ruling by the Food and Drug Administrations has no direct bearing on consumers in the Middle East. A ban on BPA in bottles is insufficient in the long term, failing to address the many sources of this compound or the long list of other compounds tweaking our reproductive health.

It is simply insufficient protection against the potential harm to all of us.

The Wall Street Journal reports: “BPA is found in hundreds of plastic items from water bottles to CDs to dental sealants. Some researchers say ingesting the chemical can interfere with development of the reproductive and nervous systems in babies and young children.”

They Wall Street Journal article point to dozens of studies showing such an effect from BPA in rodents and other animals.

It continues: “But the FDA has repeatedly stated that those findings cannot be applied to humans. The federal government is currently spending $30 million on its own studies assessing the chemical’s health effects on humans.

“It is estimated that ‘about 90 percent of Americans have traces of BPA in their urine, mainly as a result of food and beverage packaging.”

Despite the FDA’s caution regarding applying the results of animal studies to human outcomes, consumer groups have taken a stronger stance

For example, the Plastic Pollution Coalition of which Green Prophet is a member states that “the alarm over the widespread use of BPA is entirely warranted.

“BPA has been linked with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, breast and prostate cancer, early puberty, obesity, diabetes, infertility, erectile dysfunction, and learning and attention-related disorders.”

They reference a review of more than 800 studies published recently in the journal Endocrine Reviews which shows that even extremely small doses of BPA can be toxic.

“The study authors conclude that due to the effects of low doses of hormone-disrupting chemicals, ‘fundamental changes in chemical testing and safety determination are needed to protect human health’.”

BPA is just one worrisome compound in some plastics.  According to an October 2011 list compiled by TEDx’s Endocrine Disruption Exchange, there are at least 870 known chemicals that can mimic hormones and therefore alter our bodies and our systems.

In a May 2012 article on harmful chemicals, Nicholas D. Kristof of the New York Times wrote that “nation’s safety system for endocrine disruptors is broken.”

Citing several studies and conclusions by scientists  – linking things like congenital birth defects in boys to micro-penises in alligators – it’s the opinion of this author that regulatory agencies and governments around the world have essentially failed to protect their citizens from a decades long assault on our sexual and reproductive health.

Kristoff writes: “Scientists have long known the tiniest variations in hormone levels influence fetal development. For example, a female twin is very slightly masculinized if the other twin is a male, because she is exposed to some of his hormones. Studies have found that these female twins, on average, end up slightly more aggressive and sensation-seeking as adults but have lower rates of eating disorders.”

Why after almost 20 years since the term endocrine disrupters was coined are we still so exposed and at risk from these chemicals? Aside from a failure of adaquate protection, in part it may also be because most don’t fully appreciate how nuanced and sensitive the endocrine system is.

It takes very little of a hormone, synthetic or not, to impact us. Microscopic levels of exposure (parts per billions), the timing of exposure (fetal exposure is often far riskier) or long-term damage (in some cases, it is children of those who were exposed who suffer the consequences) means we are all at risk.

What can you do besides avoid plastic bottles with or without BPA? The answer is simple: Avoid plastics all together. We dare you!

Image via Boston Public Library

The post BPA Is Now a Reproductive Toxin in the US – Be Wary of All Plastics appeared first on Green Prophet.

Take a hike to fall in love with Planet Earth and embody green loving? End your romance with plastic because the evidence is irrefutable; BPA is nasty to your naked bits? You bet! From healthy habits in the bedroom to eating for optimum performance, Ecosex is the optimal way to experience intimacy that is good for you and safe for the planet. With rare exception however (Green Prophet is notably cool), the green blogosphere has yet to catch the enthusiasm; even though it is this writer’s opinion that Ecosex has the potential to revitalize enthusiasm for eco-conscious living among a populace grown bored, weary or deaf. Yes, Ecosex can save the world. But greenies have to finally listen.

Fortunately, other visionaries are. Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth Stephens, champions of the movement, have started walking tours in the United States to introduce participants to the beauty of the outdoors. They call it finding your e-Spot. Stefanie Iris Weiss, author of Ecosex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable (2010) is doing workshops at adult pleasure shops.

Sacred sexuality educators, Alan Strydom and Farhana Goga (whose ancestry is a colorful mix of Jewish, Christian and Muslim) interviewed a dozen Ecosex thoughtleaders for the newly minted EcoSex Summit: Live Organically, Love Orgasmically.

Strangely, most of the contributing voices are from outside the traditional green movement.

As a ardent advocate for Ecosexuality (or sexecology, another term to describe the philosophy), I was honored to speak with Alan and Farhana twice. My first lecture introduces the basic tenets of Ecosex, and my subsequent telesummit focuses on my eBook. People Planet Pleasure Purpose: Five Meaningful Ways to Embody Eco-Conscious Intimacy (Available EarthDay, April 22, 2012 to subscribers of www.tinamariebernard.com), does more than discuss the joys of making love organically. It links these green intentions to better stewardship of the planet.

I’m on fire for this topic. In the past six months, I started a dynamic Facebook Ecosex Group with participants from around the globe. This summer will mark the third Ecosex Summit in the states, of which I’ll be participating. My gratitude the editor of Green Prophet, Karin Kloosterman, cannot be overstated. She opened the door to exploring the interplay between our planet and our private lives. When we first discussed the idea, we were both taking a chance. Karin, because of the sensitive nature for a conservative audience, and me because my green blogging experience was until then limited.

In the intervening three years, I’ve observed the sex-positive community commandeers the Ecosex discussion.  Ecosex has exploded in popularity among those whose sexual proclivities would make many blush. They are serious about their efforts and intention to green their intimate ecosystems for more than pleasure’s sake. This is about environmentalism through and through. Sustainability in the bedroom translating into absolute adoration and caretaking of planet earth. It covers sexual health, spirituality, ancient wisdom, optimal nutrition, women’s issues and eco-feminism and love and relationships.

So why the dull echo amongst those who proclaim to care so much about these very subjects?

How do I know – because I’ve pitched dozens of stories on deaf, non-responsive ears. One could suppose the problem is me. My writing stinks or my lack of green credentials deem me unworthy for the likes of the big wigs on the other side of the Atlantic. Except, I can say with strong confidence that there’s more than rejecting my stories to this story.

You see, cccasionally, another traditional environmental site has picked up the narrative, but what they’ve had to say about Ecosex has often been as unimaginative as a turnip. Take this silly nonsense (I’m not naming the site or the author to save them embarrassment):

 Take this quiz and tally your points at the end to find out how eco you actually are.

1. What’s in your top drawer?

A. Underpants and socks (1 point)

B. Underpants and a copy of World Changing (2 points)

C. Underpants and a Secrets of Sacred Sex DVD (3 points)

2. What is climate porn?

A. A scary way to describe global warming (3 points)

B. Pornography watched in a hot room (1 point)

C. A sexy movie shot in an equatorial country (2 points)

Seriously, that’s all they can say about Ecosex? Some silly quiz about sock drawers. A lack of understanding about how this matters throws us all under the bus, leaving us to choke on the fumes.

Do they not understand the importance of sex in everyday living? Nevermind that it is the most natural thing for all living things to do – procreate and please – but that our current sexualove experiences are muted by environmental pollutants cutting at the very core of our sexual health, vitality and wellbeing. Quite simply, the Environmental movement is missing a robust opportunity to garner a major influx of enthusiastic green beings.  By refusing to acknowledge that intimacy is at the heart of all matters, including correct stewardship of our natural resources, green activists are being upstaged by polyamorists, queers, tantrikas, doms and all sorts of alternative folks (no judgement call here – I’m just glad someone is loving the green way).

Really, that’s the best environmentalists can do?

I wrote my book to wake ordinary people up. If the environmentalists won’t take charge en masse of Ecosex, maybe soccer moms (or in the case of the Middle East, Shuk Moms) will see this light. Mother Earth doesn’t need us to survive, but we need her first. Better make sure comes first. There’s no clearer path that I can see to illuminate that need than by pointing out where our neglect will hurt most – our sexual lives and procreative futures.

Sex sells. In this case, it also really matters. My book, People Planet Pleasure Purpose: 5 Meaningful Ways to Embody Eco-Conscious Intimacy will be available on Sunday, April 22, 2012 in time for Earth Day. It’s free to subscribers to my site, at least for the time being. My hope – and this is a planetary goal, not just a concerned blogger tooting her horn – is that enough people will read it and become Ambassadors of the Ecosex revolution.

And maybe, just maybe, one of those editors or publishers in the green writing world will give the topic a second glance.

They’ll know where to find me. I’ve sent them dozens of emails, tweets, Facebook requests and more.

Tinamarie Bernard is the author of People Planet Pleasure Purpose, an Ecosex eBook, out Earth Day, 2012. Follow her @ModernLoveMuse. She also blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

The post Ecosex and Why Environmentalists are Avoiding the e-Spot appeared first on Green Prophet.

The PIP breast implant recall has Green Prophet readers worried. The breast implants filled with industrial-grade silicon instead of medical grade, can leak – leading to not so good health effects in adult women.

This is sad news for Green Prophets everywhere especially those that advocate safe and green sex, words that go together for a healthier, less populated planet. Looking ahead to better more loving news, next month is the internationally celebrated holiday of love, Valentine’s Day. Let’s accentuate the positive looking at options for adult toys like glass dildos and adult ways of celebrating sex, the Green Prophet way.

1. Enhance Your Breasts Naturally. Send these tips to your your lover. Eating foods like fenugreek can increase your bust size naturally, without any serious health effects, unless you consider smelling like Maple Syrup really bad!

2. Buy an Ofer Zick silicon sex toy.

Made from medical grade silicon which is unusual for sex toys: these are a little more expensive adult toys than most, but they are eco friendly, and sexy!

Zick, whose name rhymes with… you know… says this: “Design is the ability to recognize, analyze interpret and translate necessity to a new user experience. What this means is that you have to find something people need, and then give them the full experience. It’s not just functional; aesthetic issues are part of it too.”

Tina’s review on the products make us a bit queasy, in fact this whole topic does, but click above if you want to know more. Warning, according to our research at the site below, penetrative sex toys are not allowed according to Islam.

3. Visit the El Asira website for eco Muslims.

If you live in the Middle East and want to buy for an eco-Muslim or Muslimah, you can shop online at El Asira, a discreet online store that sells adult sex aids aimed towards a savvy international Muslim community.

Keeping with halal standards, Tinamarie finds, there are two entry points, no pun intended, one for men and one for women. The site offers oils, candles, lubes and nutritional supplements intended to increase innuendo of the sexual variety in the Muslim way.

If you have any other safe, green and loving ways to celebrate sexuality, please leave your notes in the comments section.

The post Sex Toys and Tips That Are Planet Safer appeared first on Green Prophet.

As a philosophy, ecosexuality is quite new even to many environmentalists who are keen on greening their personal lives yet are unaware of this socially transformative movement.  From using eco-friendly lubrication to maintaining healthy reproductive and sexual well-being, to adopting the ideals of ecology in one’s primary relationship, ecosex is many things to many observers and mavericks, including myself, who support the idea of sustainable love that is good for people and the planet. Now those who imagine a greener way to love, including lovers in the Middle East, can lend their voice to the symphony and help create as well as advance the idea of what it means to go “green between the sheets.”

Green Prophet is the sole English-language voice in the Middle East that offers a platform for discussing the tenets of ecosexuality, and we’ve expressed the regional importance of the relationship between ecosex and global peace.  Other venues are also advancing the vision of more earth friendly relations between partners and lovers. Specifically, ecosex advocates are collaborating to create an anthology of essays and other creative contributions to highlight eco-sexual practices and their importance to the environmental movement.

From the call for submissions:

Ecosexuality has emerged as a socially transformative movement where the energies of activism, art, theory, and practice coalesce…Ecosex activism brings more fun, passion, hope and diversity to the environmental and holistic health movements.  It generates global awareness of love as the ecology of life on planet Earth…Ecosexuality revisits every aspect of life as an opportunity for the intellectual, spiritual, political and artistic expression of ecosexual love…

Contributions will be accepted in various forms, including academic studies, philosophical, theoretical, and critical articles, reports from the field, testimonial narratives, interviews, poems, performance pieces, artists’ pages or other visual representations, reports from events, courses, and other transformative experiences.

Submissions and inquiries, due March 1, 2012, should be sent to serena.anderlini@gmail.com or bethstephens@me.com.

Read More Ecosexuality News:
GMOs Shrinking Reproductive Health in a Womb Near You
Fundamentals of Ecosexuality: Is Conscious Love the Way Towards Global Peace?
World Renowned Author Dishes on GINKS, Green Sex and Making Love to Planet Earth

Tinamarie is a regualr contributor to Greenprophet.com.  She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com

The post International Call for Papers: Ecosexuality Anthology appeared first on Green Prophet.

“Israel is not a theocracy, it is a democracy. We want to create a work that would probably not happen anywhere else in the Middle East.” Spencer Tunick, photographer.

If all goes according to Spencer Tunick’s plan, the Dead Sea will serve as the backdrop this Saturday September 17 for his next photographic installation: hundreds of Israelis appearing naked at what some have hailed as the world’s deepest natural wonders. Any would-be gawkers please take note: the exact location is top secret.

Update: Read Full Frontal Exposure: World Reacts to Naked Israelis for more on the Naked Sea Project, including photos.

Models will be bussed in from outside locations the morning of the shoot, explained the organizers. All together, the kickstarter fundraising campaign raised $116,000, well over the $60,000 needed to fund the Naked Sea project, and 3000 signed up to participate with 1000 selected to pose.

Environmental or pornographic art?

To some, this is a controversial shoot in a region already beset by political and cultural turmoil; for others including the artist, it’s a visual testament to the frailty of the planet, the Dead Sea in general, and humanities role in the mismanagement of our planet’s resources.

Tunick’s naked art is hardly pornographic, insists the artist. “The (human) body is vulnerable. Our bodies, which are so fragile, are driving this amazing sea to destruction,” he said in an interview earlier this year.

Supporters of his work point out that there is no sexual context to his creations – intended to deliver potent messages – which is in this case highlighting the plight of the Dead Sea.

Red tape could derail the event. Some religious officials want to stop the shoot, and local officials have claimed that necessary permits were never requested and therefore not granted, reports Ynetnews.

Dead or Dying Sea?

Experts warn that the Dead Sea could dry out by 2050. Historically, the Jordon River fed the sea, but now fresh water is diverted by Israel, Jordon and to a smaller degree by Syria. Extensive mineral harvesting by Israel and Jordon, the countries bordering the world’s deepest body of water, are depleting the sea as well. It’s a popular tourist destination, with luxury hotels on both sides catering to those who want to bathe in its waters or partake of the renowned health benefits. Combined, these factors highlight that nature knows no boundaries, and efforts to restore habitat require collaborative cross-country solutions.

“Hopefully my work with this will be associated with the human-made natural disaster at hand, and not with war,” Tunick said.

Some estimates show that the surface level of the Dead Sea is shrinking by a meter (three feet) each year. The shoreline is also receding at alarming rates.

The Dead Sea is currently in the running as one of the New 7Wonders of Nature campaign, a list that includes Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon, Grand Canyon in the United States and sites in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.

Read more green love and art news:

Tinamarie is a regular contributor to Greenprophet.com. Follow her @ModernLoveMuse. She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

The post Deepest Wonder of the World About to Get Naked appeared first on Green Prophet.

Certain foods common in Middle East diets are better at minimizing the symptoms of herpes, a sexually transmitted viral infection that causes painful lesions on the mouth and genitals.

Good news for ecosexuals looking for more natural ways to promote intimate wellbeing: promising research suggests that an herb indigenous to mainland Europe and Asia, known as Tansy, may provide natural relief for the symptoms of herpes. The joint research project between groups in Greenwich and Spain found that Tansy, a plant commonly known as Mugwort or Golden Buttons, has several compounds that may act as antioxidants.

Herpes Basics

Herpes is caused by either of two main viruses, herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2). Most genital lesions are attributed to HSV-1, with HSV-2 causing most cases of oral (mouth and lips) lesions, though this is not always the case. Transmission of either virus occurs through the exchange of fluids during unprotected oral, genital or anal sex, and either virus has been found to cause outbreaks on the mouth, lips and genital-perineum region in men and women.

Oftentimes, an individual will be infected but never show an outbreak: such people are called carriers. In Israel, its been estimated that 78% of infected individuals are asymptomatic, meaning they test positive for HSV-1 or HSV-2, but have never developed any outward signs of infection. For more on herpes infection rates, read Prevalence of Herpes in the Middle East.

The most effective way to known whether you have herpes is to get a ‘serum’ test, something that needs to be ordered by a physician, to determine the presence of antibodies to the herpes virus in the blood.

Generally, women are more susceptible to infections than men because their reproductive systems provide a moist environment that allow for the easier transmission and spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Using certain types of condoms (latex for example) provide an excellent barrier method for preventing infections reported on a condom company, Love begins with L, an eco company that manufactures, sells and distributes eco-friendly condoms.

Science Daily.com reports on the value of antioxidants in treating skin lesions, such as those incurred during a herpes outbreak.

Herpes more common with HIV/AIDS

“Antioxidants are important for healing wounds and can be used to treat the skin eruptions and blister-like lesions or cold sores that are the symptoms of herpes.

“The drugs currently available to treat the disease like Zovirax are becoming less effective as the virus is developing resistance to them. Diseases such as genital herpes are also increasing due to immunosuppressive illnesses such as AIDS.”

Why Natural Research Matters

Such studies are timely for many reasons. As traditional medicines lose efficacy, and natural remedies gain in popularity, research into natural remedies are “proving the scientific basis for many traditional medicinal plants,” explained Dr. Solomon Habtemariam from the School of Science at the University of Greenwich at Medway, one of the lead researchers.

“We are now able to identify even more structurally complex natural products and those that are present in plants in minute concentrations with our state-of-the-art analytical facilities. In collaboration with our international partners, we are searching for novel antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents from natural sources,” Dr. Habtemariam said.

Herpes Management Leads to the Mediterranean Diet

The bad news is that once someone has been infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, there is no known ‘cure.’ The primary objective becomes two-fold: limit outbreaks and prevent transmission of the herpes virus.

For example, someone with a cold sore on their lips should avoid kissing anyone, particularly children, infants or other immunocompromised individuals, as in rare case, acute herpes infections have been known to be fatal.

It’s imperative that couples, even those in monogamous relationships, use a barrier method (such as condoms) when engaged in sexual activity, especially if one partner is infected. Even if no oral or genital lesions are noted, the virus can still be passed from one person to another.

Besides tansy, olive oil and tea tree oil may help sooth skin outbreaks.  Keep the skin dry, reduce stress, and avoid artificial sweeteners such as aspartame which have been linked to increased numbers of outbreaks (possibly because of lower immune system response).

Finally, diets high in lysine and low in arginine, both common amino acids, may help some sufferers. In some drug stores in the western east it is possible to buy amino acids like lysine (try lysine on Amazon – it may deliver to your state or country) and of course the ideal way to avoid arginine is to not eat it in your foods.

We tried to buy lysine Canada but the pharmacist said they don’t carry it.

Typical Middle East foods to suppress a herpes outbreak include:

Meat and fish

• fish
• chicken
• beef
• lamb

Dairy-based products

• yogurt and labane
• cheese
• butter
• milk

Seafood

• • oysters
  • shrimp
  • snails

Plant-based sources of lysine:

• • avocados
  • apricots
  • mangoes
  • beets
  • leeks
  • tomatoes
  • pears
  • green and red peppers
  • potatoes

Legumes

• soy-based products like:
  • tempeh
  • tofu
  • soybeans
  • soy milk
• beans, including:
  • kidney beans
  • navy beans
  • black beans
• chickpeas and hummus
• lentils
• edamame

Nuts, seeds, and grains

• pumpkin seeds
• pistachios
• cashews
• macadamia nuts

Grains aren’t usually rich in lysine but there are some exceptions — and they happen to be great for you, and include:

• quinoa
• amaranth
• buckwheat
• seitan

Food to avoid if you have herpes virus

• chocolate
• coconut
• oats
• whole wheat
• white flour
• peanuts
• soybeans
• wheat germ
• aspartame

Read more sexual health news:
Love Begins with L: New Condom Company
Fundamentals of Ecosexuality

The post Middle East Diet for Treating Herpes Naturally appeared first on Green Prophet.

This time of year, Mediterranean landscapes display the ripening fruits of the fall harvest season. Few are as impressive as the grand dame of them all, the pomegranate. Native to Persia, endemic to the Middle East, and a central symbol to the Jewish New Year, pomegranates embody the essence of mythological and religious lore.

They are also a potentially potent aphrodisiac, a delicious and elegant addition to those who want to eat well and make love sustainably.

Symbolic Food

Few fruits besides the pomegranate have made such a lasting impression as a symbol of hope and eternal life. Jews recognize this ruby jewel as one of the first fruits of the autumn harvest season, and eat it during the high holidays.

In Greek mythology, Hades, the god of the underworld is said to have seduced the goddess of fertility, Persephone, with pomegranate seeds. And while the apple usually takes the blame for humanity’s fall from grace, some biblical scholars have suggested that the forbidden fruit of the Bible wasn’t an apple, but the red beauty known as rimon in Hebrew.

Health Basics

Pomegranate seeds are delicious and nutritious (Please note, the roots and tree bark are considered herbal medicines too, but should only be administered by a trained professional).

Rich in antioxidants, a 100-gram serving of the seeds provides a healthy boost from the B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B5, B6 and folate), vitamin C, dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. They also offer micronutrients such as polyphenols, specifically tannins and flavonoids.

This means that from Alzheimer’s disease (eating them with olive oil!) to fertility, to cancer prevention and cardiovascular health, pomegranates are rightly hailed as a mega go-to food both in conventional medical circles, as well as in ancient and holistic modalities.

For example, the ancient Ayurvedic system uses pomegranate to treat diarrhea and intestinal parasites. The juice is astringent and a tonic for the heart and throat.

Sexual Health

A woman’s fertility benefits from adequate levels of vitamin C and the B-vitamins, as does proper fetal development.  A 100 ml serving of pomegranate juice provides up to 16% of an adults daily Vitamin C needs. Folate is particularly important to prevent certain birth defects, most notably fatal or debilitating neural tube deformities of the spinal cord.

Magnesium improves premenstrual symptoms, and zinc is critical for a man’s sexual performance.

Does this make them an aphrodisiac? The answer depends on our understanding of what an aphrodisiac is. For example, viewed from a cardiovascular or reproductive health point of view, the answer is affirmative.

Foods that maintain and improve our heart health, necessary to enjoy the full range of sexual pleasures, particularly for men, are sex-positive edibles.

A popular cookbook that helped launch our modern fascination with foods that help you go hump in the night, Intercourses, points out that aphrodisiacs don’t always work by increasing staying power or interest in sex; sometimes the suggestive nature of certain foods warms the hearth.

No matter what your thoughts are on the authenticity of aphrodisiacs, these ruby jewels of the Middle East add a colorful splash to many traditional Persian, Arabic, Jewish and Mediterranean dishes. Adorn your salads and rice dishes with the kernels, or use the juice to add zest to your dressings, beverages and sauces.  (Greenprophet.com offers several pomegranate recipes for those who want to add some crimson color to their foods.) Here are simple instructions to deseed pomegranates, compliments of eatsomethingsexy.com:

Score the rind in several places and soak the fruit in a bowl of water. Then rip the flesh apart with your fingers and loosen the membranes, freeing the seeds into the bowl. Alternatively, break off a section of the whole, ripe fruit and tap the rind side with a spoon, coaxing the seeds to fly loose into an empty bowl.

Read more aphrodisiac and sexual health news:

Natural Herbs for Breast Health and Enhancement

Four Reasons to Eat Pomegranates During the New Year

World’s Most Expensive Spicy Aphrodisiac: It Really Works!

Saffron is a natural aphrodisiac

Pomegranate in the Quran

The post Pomegranates are a natural aphrodisiac appeared first on Green Prophet.

New animal research is significant: Chronic estrogen exposure leads to a build up of a compound in the brain that causes blood pressure to rise.

For years, women were told that the estrogen they consumed in the form of contraception or hormone replacement therapy had heart-protective benefits. Recent research suggested otherwise: long-term exposure to estrogen was linked to higher blood pressure in women, but the connection wasn’t fully understood. Now the link is becoming clearer, thanks to research at Michigan State University (MSU).

What should women in the Middle East know about hormones and their health? It’s a complicated answer, but of this, we are sure: Ecosexuality advocates are moving away from their use, opting for natural means to regulate our reproductive health, fertility and wellbeing.

The researchers at MSU found that long-term estrogen exposure generates excessive levels of a compound, superoxide, which causes stress in the body. The build-up of this compound occurs in an area of the brain called the rostral ventrolateral medulla, a region in the brain stem involved with the maintenance of blood pressure and associated with hypertension and heart failure. Their findings suggest that chronic estrogen induces a build up of superoxide that in turn causes blood pressure to increase. The study also found that the anti-oxidant resveratrol reverses the increase in both superoxide and blood pressure.

The study, Chronic Estradiol-17β Exposure Increases Superoxide Production in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM) and Causes Hypertension: Reversal by Resveratrol,” appeared in the American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology, published by the American Physiological Society. The two-phase study in rats found that chronic exposure to estrogen caused a significant increase of superoxide in this brain region, and increased blood pressure as a result.

According to ScienceDaily.com:

In an interview, lead study author Dr. P.S. MohanKumar said, “This is an important study on at least two levels. First, it continues to confirm the negative effect that long-term estrogen exposure has for females. Second, it provides a new rationale for how and why this relationship occurs.”

Dr. MohanKumar continued, “Because so many women use estrogen-only HRT to combat the effects of menopause, it is imperative that we better understand the risks that chronic exposure has for females and why these effects occur. In studies such as this we come one step closer to clarifying the relationship and have established a launch pad for identifying how the process might be interrupted in the future.”

In a previous column, we discussed why eco-savvy author and researcher, Stefanie Iris Weiss suggests alternatives to hormones for birth control (something she covers more thoroughly in her 2010 book, Eco-Sex). In addition to health concerns such as those shown above, the increased use of hormones by women and agribusiness are linked to precocious puberty in young girls, the feminization of males in certain species, and the contamination of our water sources.

What should women inclined to family planning do? There are other more eco-friendly options, which we cover in the blog, How do Tree-Humpers Prevent Pregnancy? Bottom line: Access to adequate family planning and safe contraception are central to the philosophy of ecosexuality, and the decision about what is best rests upon an informed citizenry.

:: Image credit

Read more on eco-sexuality issues:

The Ins and Outs of Personal Vaginal Lubrication

How Do Tree-Humpers Prevent Pregnancy?

Natural Herbs for Breast Health and Enhancement

New Rx For Growing the Brain: S.E.X.

You can follow Tinamarie on @ModernLoveMuse and facebook. She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

The post Estrogen Exposure Raises Blood Pressure Via the Brain appeared first on Green Prophet.

Using herbs and foods to enhance a woman’s form date back to ancient times, and some suggest that the use of tinctures, massage oils and brews were popular among Egyptian harems. Some of the most popular supplements include saw palmetto, fenugreek, fennel, red clover, wild yam and dong quai. Empirical scientific evidence is more limited than anecdotal evidence from multiple cultural references that suggest breast enlargement can occur from certain natural compounds.

If larger or suppler breasts are desired, going the natural ‘aphrodisiac‘ route is likely to be safer, greener and gentler to your body and the planet.

Common Herbs: Below is a list of some of the most common mastogenic plants. Please note, while we only cover mostly breast health effects here, each of these plants are known to have additional health properties.

• Fenugreek: This herb, which tastes like a combination of celery and maple syrup, has been shown to minimize the symptoms of menopause, and increase a woman’s bust size and milk production in nursing mothers.  Specifically, India’s traditional Ayurvedic physicians prescribe it to nursing mothers to increase their milk, and in American folk medicine, fenugreek was considered a potent menstruation promoter. More locally, Middle East harem women ate the seeds to become more buxom.  How does it work? Fenugreek seeds contain steroid precursors, diosgenin and other phyto-estrogens that are thought to increase breast size.

• Saw Palmetto: This compound is popular as a natural treatment for prostate enlargement and impotence in men, but it is also recommended by those who practice natural medicine to increase a woman’s bust size and sexual desire.  Many cultures have used it throughout the centuries. Native Americans used the berries for food and medicine, particularly for breast disorders in women. Saw palmetto berry also tones the urethra, and it may be used to uphold the healthy function of the thyroid gland and urinary system.  How does it work? Phyto-nutrients stimulate breast tissue, increasing health and size.

• Wild Yam: This most popular herbal tonic is noted for its benefits to a woman’s reproductive system, including minimizing premenstrual and menopausal symptoms, again because of it’s phyto-nutrients. It can be taken in capsule or tea form. The powder can also be added to cream with which a woman can use to massage her breasts.

• Fennel:  This herb has been used to treat amenorrhea (absence of a menstrual cycle), low sex drive in women, and to increase bust size and promote milk production in new mothers. Rich in phyto-nutrients, it works well with Fenugreek, and can be added to creams like Wild Yam to be massaged directly on the breasts.

Dosages and Risks: There are many supplements on the market with wide-ranging doses. Some websites suggest that if a woman intends to use breast-enhancing herbs, she take them as single ingredients for maximum results. That way, she can control how much she takes and start with just one or two at a time. Most have been used for centuries across cultures with little known risks.

With that said, we recommend that you see your health care provider before starting any new regime, since dosages are not standardized, and there still could be some risks, especially if a woman is pregnant, nursing or taking other prescription drugs or supplements.

When in doubt, ask an informed provider first.

Success Rates: Generally speaking, using natural herbs and supplements are less drastic than the options provided for by modern medicine, such as surgery. This also means they are less invasive. Until more research is conducted on these and other breast enhancing compounds, we can’t establish universal guidelines or success rates. Individuals are likely to experience different outcomes.

Our recommendation? Check with your physician, obtain these from a reliable source, preferably organic and sustainably harvested, and conduct your own personal research to determine which herbs are best for your breasts.

:: Image: Diana Blackwell

Read more on eco-sexuality issues:

Are Hormones in the Environment Making Breasts Bigger?
How do Tree Humpers Prevent Pregnancy?
World Renowned Author Dishes on GINKS, Green Sex and Making Love to Planet Earth

The post Natural Herbs for Breast Health and Enhancement appeared first on Green Prophet.