Botanica Erotica: Arousing Body, Mind, and Spirit [Hardcover]

Diana De Luca (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

A playful and provocative guide to the foods, herbs, and behaviors that arouse us

• Provides a practical guide to the history and use of the world's classic aphrodisiacs

• Presents easy recipes for food, lotions, and potions designed to please the senses, and includes chapters on erotic massage, touch, and belly dance

• Lavishly illustrated with contemporary and classical artwork

Botanica Erotica provides readers with the tools and techniques they need for a lifelong exploration of pleasure. More than a simple list of aphrodisiacs, Botanica Erotica offers suggestions to arouse all the senses and to make every aspect of life an encounter with Eros.

Beginning with a practical guide to the history and use of the world's classic aphrodisiacs, Diana De Luca moves on to present a feast of "Libidinous Libations" and "Voluptuous Vittles" that are easy to make and outrageous to eat, designed to please the palate and get the juices flowing. "The Lascivious Lavage" helps you create the perfect lotions and potions for romantic baths, and later chapters reveal how to stimulate the physical body through erotic massage, touch, and belly dance. This celebration of pleasure is ideal for anyone who loves to live a fully embodied life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Botanica Erotica blends real herbalism with a joyful affirmation of sensuality, one that can come only when real experience blends with the consciousness of a green wise woman. The result is a fun and empowering book, offering a cornucopia of pleasure to all who read it."
(

from the foreword by David Hoffmann, author of The Herbal Handbook

)

About the Author

Diana De Luca herself is an expression of the spirit of Botanica Erotica, incorporating her experience with herbs, food, and belly dance into her daily life. She has taught herbal workshops for a decade and has been involved in Middle Eastern and North African dance for 11 years. She lives in Sebastopol, California, with her husband, medical herbalist and author David Hoffmann. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892817909
• ISBN-13: 978-0892817900
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yummy, January 24, 2002

By 

Mera Falcon (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Botanica Erotica: Arousing Body, Mind, and Spirit (Hardcover)

I met Diana at HerbFest 1997 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I spoke with her again in 1999 for advice. She is one of the most down-to-earth individuals you will ever meet, and goes out of her way to help. Diana simply oozes sensuality. There is no other way to describe her. She adores life and knows how to make the most out of living. Botanica Erotica is amazing. The seminar she gave: Herbal Aphrodisiacs for the Body, Mind and Spirit at HerbFest 1997 was the one of the most fascinating I've seen.

For instance... Did you know that the body's central organ of sexual response is the brain? Brain food includes magic scents, luscious tastes, favorite colors, warm baths, fragrant flowers, candlelight, the feel of silk on a naked body, chocolate, wine, liqueurs, reading erotica, sensual massage, feathers, skinny dipping, moonlight...

I only wish there were more pages in Botanica Erotica! If more people could find the time to experiment with the ideas in this book, I am certain that divorce rates would decline rapidly! I'll definitely be buying several copies as wedding presents for my friends. Have fun with this one. You WON'T regret buying this book!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Soul-Warming Book, April 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Botanica Erotica: Arousing Body, Mind, and Spirit (Hardcover)

In my opinion, the author has written a delightful treatise on using food, drink, herbs and our power as sensual beings to rekindle our joy in life and, particularly, in physical love. Yes, you do need an open mind in order to appreciate this book, but I keep it on my coffee table and so far no one who has picked it up to flip through it has taken offense at her warm, witty thoughts on sexuality, nor at the beautiful (and sometimes funny!) art works reprinted within. Even the use of cannabis is mentioned in a very sensitive manner (to which I can only add try it - it is a wonderful aphrodisiac!). The section devoted to the ancient gods, goddesses and sacred prostitutes is a based on the author's research. There are other reference works than the Bible, after all.

Botanica Erotica has added a new dimension to my own sensuality, and has inspired me to learn more about aromatherapy in general, and about movement arts (yoga and dance). I believe this book was the catalyst that started me down the road to a healthier body, as well as a richer sex life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book good enough to EAT!, January 19, 2002

By 

She is no more "she is no more" (not here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Botanica Erotica: Arousing Body, Mind, and Spirit (Hardcover)

Diana DeLuca has penned a beautiful book of tidbits and recipes...all honoring the sacred sexual-sensual self. Sensual Oils, foods, etc. are all in this book. It can be used for romancing , and offers natural alternatives to the typical candlelight and flowers... Honor yourself...honor your lover...have some Summer of Love punch...and by this book.