A Natural Libido Booster for Women With the help of some exotic extras, nature's sweetest temptation just got even sweeter You know as well as I do that if something's good for you, it probably tastes rotten. And while it seems like every health product has a candy-shop version these days (laxatives, diet shakes, nutrition bars-you name it, they make it) I obviously don't need to tell you that the delicious-factor of these imposters falls a little bit short. Dressed up with names like "Rich Chocolate Royale" and "Double Fudge Fantasy," these fancy flavors are nothing more than lipstick on a pig. And if you love chocolate as much as I do, no one's fooling you, either. When it comes to this particular indulgence, nothing beats the real thing-and that goes for your health as well as your tastebuds. Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, a little piece of this dark heaven is hands down the most well-rounded weapon in the war against disease that you've got-to say nothing of the zing it can give both your mood and your sex life. So the folks at Phytobase Nutritionals, Inc. decided to let chocolate do what it does best. That's exactly how they came up with Chocollissima-and, believe it or not, just a few extra "accessories" have actually managed to improve upon perfection. A bite-size libido boost made just for the ladies "Women love and crave chocolate." That's what Sam Gur, the CEO of Phytobase, told me when I asked him why he and his team decided to whip up this new brand of treats, which debuted in October-adding that the company continually focuses on concepts that are "unique, exciting-and always delicious." And that certainly holds true for Chocollissima -but you might want to add a little extra emphasis to the term "exciting." Ladies, take special note: Hidden within each bite-size piece of pure, organic dark chocolate, there awaits a blend of six indigenous Amazonian aphrodisiacs-and taking the top spot among them is borojoa, an exotic newcomer to the U.S. market. This green, baseball-sized fruit grows in the wild along the southern and western basins of the Amazon River-but it's also commercially grown and marketed in Columbia, where locals know it as "the natural Viagra." There, they use borojoa pulp to make a variety of foods, including jelly, candy, and ice cream. But you're most likely to find it in the form of a popular drink, dubbed jugo del amor-juice of love. Borojoa is no one-trick pony, though. The fruit's steamy reputation-while well earned, I'm sure-only covers half of the benefits it has to offer. In addition to being able to heat up the bedroom, it's also a natural energy booster that boasts one of the highest levels of soluble B vitamins in any fruit-not to mention a protein and amino acid content that's nearly three times that of fresh meat. And that weighty résumé only covers one ingredient in this risqué recipe. A Peruvian love potion that really works-and we've got the stories to prove it Chocollissima might be your first introduction to borojoa-but the last time we updated you on this next herb was in the February 2003 issue of the Members Alert. Ask a Peruvian shaman what Clavo huasca can do, and he'll have plenty to tell you. They've been giving preparations of this large, woody vine to both men and women as a cure for impotence and frigidity for centuries. And stories point to its working particular wonders for the fairer sex. When HSI first learned about this herb, there were barely any studies on its supposed effects. So we held our own informal trial to see if the stories we'd heard would pan out, enlisting the help of 38 women over the age of 50. While only half of these women reported results from Clavo huasca, suffice it to say that their reports were enthusiastic. Many claimed to have experienced dramatic increases in sexual desire and arousal levels-and those who didn't still found their mood to be lighter, their sleep to be sounder, and their energy to be higher. It only makes sense, then, that Clavo huasca (which is still a popular aphrodisiac in its native territory) would be included in Chocollissima. And if what we've seen at HSI is any indication, ladies who indulge themselves are definitely in for a bigger treat than they might have thought. It takes two -- Double your pleasure with this pair of rainforest remedies Muira puama, commonly called "potency wood," comes from two wild-growing shrubs in the olive family, also native to the South American rainforests. The bark of these small trees is typically either chewed, or sipped in the form of a tea brewed from its parts. While natives have also used it as a cure for indigestion and as relief for menopause symptoms, it's better known as a nerve tonic, with a mildly stimulating effect good for relieving stress, anxiety, and nervous exhaustion. But this plant's effects on the libido top the list of its most traditional applications-and according to Amazonian elders, these effects skyrocket when Muira puama is combined with catuaba bark. It's said that putting the two herbs together results in a sacred concoction that "can make people sexually young again." Of course, in case you didn't already guess it, both catuaba and Muira puama happen to be included in Chocollissima's bag of tricks. Catuaba is a small flowering plant native to Brazil, and its properties put it on the same playing field with Muira puama as an aphrodisiac and a nerve tonic. Whether used by itself or mixed together with "potency wood," it's known to increase desire in both men and women. Nowadays, you'll even find it in a lot of North American formulas for libido enhancement-due in no small part to the striking results that have been reported in the way of male potency. And as if all that weren't enough, some might also find it helpful as an antidepressant, an anti-inflammatory, and a pain reliever. For a few extra perks, that's not too shabby. Extra energy in and out of the bedroom Topping off the list of sexy additions to the dark cocoa in Chocollissima is a Mexican herb called damiana-long used as an aphrodisiac in the ancient Mayan culture, with a recorded history of use that dates back over a century. And much like Chocollissima's other ingredients, it's as well known for its ability to calm your nerves as it is for its ability to arouse your sexual desire. As an additional punch for good measure, developers at Phytobase added jatoba bark-a Brazilian favorite often made into a tea to harness its strong energy-heightening properties. But you won't find caffeine or other harsh stimulants in this natural tonic, making for a smooth boost completely free of your typical sharp edges-something that just about anyone could benefit from. And I really mean anyone. You may have noticed by now that while Chocollissima was designed with the ladies in mind, all of the ingredients have histories of helping out men that happen to be just as long. And as I'm told, plenty of them have fallen in love with the product, too. It's definitely been a hit in my office-with the men and the women, alike. The 12-ounce jar of individually wrapped chocolates (robed in oh-so appropriate glossy red wrappers) only lasted two days on my desk. And while I can't really vouch for any of its more X-rated properties (sadly, all of us were on the clock), I can tell you that Chocollissima is indeed delicious. If you ask me (and I'm sure the handful of fellow chocolate-lovers I work with will agree), it beats your average bonbon any day of the week. Each serving of Chocollissima comes in at 56 calories-so for the sake of your figure, the rules of moderation still apply. But even though you can't eat the entire box in one sitting (and you'll be tempted-it is chocolate, after all), two pieces should be all it takes to get the very best that this particular dessert has to offer. And with all of that extra time you'll be spending in the bedroom, who can fit in a second helping anyway? Please note: HSI verifies all product information when the Members Alert is written; however, pricing and availability can change by the time the issue is delivered. We regret that not all products are available in all locations worldwide. The above statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | 
