According to Greek and Egyptian literature, if you try rousing one’s libido through certain foods, it will end in failure if you feed them dill, lentils, lettuce or watercress, all of which are considered “anaphrodisiacs” – the opposite of aphrodisiacs. Instead, the ancients looked to river snails, pistachio nuts, sage and sea fennel to do the trick.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the subject of cooking meals that stir sensuality comes into focus, along with the latest foods and herbs thought to contain aphrodisiac properties. At Napa Valley Grille, for instance, Chef Joseph Barraco will lay it on the table with a Valentine’s menu of known aphrodisiac foods. Items such as oysters, cooked three different ways, plus colossal garlic appetizers with crusted brie cheese are among the items that will be marked by asterisks to denote their aphrodisiac qualities.

The menu will be available from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the restaurant, located in Horton Plaza.

“I wanted to do something a little different than the usual prix fixe menu. And we’ve schooled our wait staff to explain the aphrodisiac qualities of the dishes,” says Barraco.

Researching the topic last year, Barraco learned of aphrodisiac foods beyond the usual suspects like chocolate, oysters, ginger, etc.

Pesto, he notes, “is stacked” with aphrodisiacs because it contains basil, garlic and pine nuts, all thought to increase circulation, which can lead to states of arousal for some people. Bananas, because of their high vitamin B content, are believed to help manufacture sex hormones. And recent studies have put saffron and nutmeg on the list as well.

“Celery, too, is something I just learned about because it contains androsterone, a male hormone that’s released through sweat, which researchers last year documented as being capable of attracting females,” he says.

That study, and others found in his research, did not specifically target gay or lesbian couples, he notes. So by eating the crispy stalks, could we assume the ensuing perspiration will snatch the attention of heterosexual women and gay men?

“Aphrodisiacs are sometimes more of a mind thing than a chemical reaction in our bodies. It’s what you’ve heard in the past that possibly triggers the libido,” Barraco admits.

Yet medical research, he acknowledges, has clearly shown that spicy chili peppers and various herbs such as coriander, cilantro, garlic and whole grain mustard do indeed open capillaries and increase blood flow. So, in a sense, they can stimulate individuals with sensitive sex drives.

When asked what foods are “a must” for consumption when plotting romantic dinners at any time of the year, Barraco points to oysters. “You can’t do without them because they have, over time, at least psychologically put the idea of sex in people’s heads.”

Alcohol in modest amounts, particularly in the form of red wine, also increases circulation, yet experts say that because it also pumps up confidence, the approach to romance can turn blatantly lustful and distasteful. Caffeine is also a well-known stimulant, but acts as a depressant when consumed in large quantities – thus the notion of pulling an “all nighter” with your partner becomes less feasible.

For Barraco, the foods he avoids while cultivating romance are chili con carne and burritos. “Those are things that would play games with my stomach afterward,” he says.

Whether mired in myth or fact, below are several foods and ingredients that are considered aphrodisiacs.

Almonds: A symbol of fertility throughout the ages, their aroma is thought to induce passion. And when digested, they’re known to increase energy.

Asparagus: The Vegetarian Society suggests eating this phallic shaped vegetable for three days for “the most powerful effect.” Serve it boiled or steamed for the most sensuous experience.

Caviar: Sturgeon eggs contain a large amount of phosphorous, a necessary nutrient for sexual stamina.

Cloves: Cloves contain the fragrant and aromatic chemical eugenol, which has long been thought to stimulate blood flow and the human sex organs.

Licorice: Long used for medicinal purposes by the Chinese, the essence of the glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust, particularly among women.

Truffles: The Greeks and the Romans considered freshly cultivated truffles to be aphrodisiacs. Their musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch, and mimics the hormonal scents humans secrete when sexually aroused.