The truth about the 'love potion' in the ancient world

Along with the search for contraceptives and aphrodisiacs, sexual needs have gone beyond mere biology and reproduction.

A number of means to enhance libido through the ages, in which food is said to be able to arouse passion, increase pleasure, cure erectile dysfunction, etc., have fascinated people throughout history.

The relationship between food and sex

In general, both food and sex are involved in satisfying cravings. Today, this profound connection is recognized by neurologists, anthropologists, medical practitioners, as well as psychiatrists. Many foods have been considered to have magical effects on libido through the ages.

Understanding that lack of food and malnutrition affect sex drive, people have searched for certain foods to help the body function properly. Certain foods are considered aphrodisiacs due to their resemblance to human genitalia, such as carrots, asparagus, figs and artichokes, and more strangely, rhino horn. The vanilla pod, which resembles a vaginal canal, is also said to have a similar effect.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, an aphrodisiac is 'a food or drug believed to give a person a strong desire for sex'. The word was entered into English dictionaries in the early 18th century from the Greek word aphrodisiakos, which is derived from aphrodiosis, or belongs to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

Since ancient times, the Greeks have written extensively on the subject of arousal. For example: Aristotle believed in the stimulating power of saffron and used it to spice up his food and sex life.

The Greeks believed that artichokes had the effect of conceiving a male child. According to Greek mythology, when a beautiful woman rejected her, Zeus turned her into an artichoke flower, which appeared thorny on the outside but soft on the inside.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, advocated for men to eat more lentils to keep fire in old age.

Plutarch, the philosopher, was a bean-loving man and ate a lot of fasolada, the soup made from white beans, which later became the national dish of Greece.

The Greeks strongly believed in the power of mushrooms to stimulate the senses with their musky scent.

Onions attracted both the Greeks and the Romans as a stimulant. Aristotle advised Alexander not to give his soldiers mint tea before going to battle because it could distract their minds from thoughts of sex.

Seafood and shellfish (especially oysters) were used as aphrodisiacs by the Greeks, in part because of their connection to the 'sponge-born' goddess Aphrodite.

Grapes were an integral part of the Roman feast, and the act of peeling and feeding each other also carried a provocative image. The alcohol in grape-fermented wine also acts as a relaxant.

The role of plants and animals

Emperor Shennong, the father of Chinese medicine, believed that ginseng was useful in treating erectile dysfunction.

The Indian medical system of Ayurveda, dating back nearly 5,000 years, is partly devoted to Vajikarna therapy, which mainly uses herbs and plants as stimulants.

The Kamasutra of Vatsyayana, the famous ancient Indian sexual manual, devotes a whole chapter to aphrodisiac foods, mainly of plant origin. All of them have the function of increasing the production of sukra or semen, aimed at helping men to have lasting intercourse, as well as enhance fertility.

Ayurveda is said to have the potential to treat conditions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, loss of libido and low testosterone in men. Not only that, many people also believe that Vajikarna therapy has a good effect on the health of future generations.

Milk, honey, nutmeg, saffron, garlic, wild asparagus (shatvari) and ashwagandha (winter cherries) are some of the effective foods for men that Ayurveda has suggested. For women, fenugreek seeds are recommended as it is said to have breast enlargement and sexual desire.

An eerie prescription dating back to the eighth century BC, Susruta Samhita, suggests: 'Cleared butter should be boiled with the eggs or testes of crocodiles, rats, frogs and sparrows'. If this mixture is used to lubricate the soles of the feet, a man 'can go to a woman with perseverance, as long as his feet do not touch the ground'.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that eating the genitals of animals will increase semen. Rhino horn is considered a powerful stimulant. As with Indian Ayurvedic methods, the reputation of many ancient Chinese aphrodisiacs persists to this day and this unfortunately contributes to the harm to certain species of wildlife. wild.

Emperor Shennong (3500 - 2600 BC), who is considered the father of Chinese medicine, in his treatise Shennong Manuscripts listed more than 365 species of herbs that he personally tasted.

Ginseng is one of Shen Nong's contributions to herbal medicine. He recorded that, experienced a feeling of warmth and sexual pleasure after chewing its tubers. He advocates the use of ginseng as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and to stimulate libido.

Elsewhere in the ancient world, various foods were said to provide men with lasting health. The ruler of the Aztecs, Montezuma, is said to have fortified more than 50 cups of chocolate before visiting the harem, although many documents suggest that this was just a propaganda ploy by the conquistadors. However, chocolate still holds a steady position as a modern stimulant.

A substance called ambrien, obtained from the intestines of sperm whales, is used in Arabic folk medicine to treat headaches and improve sexual function. There is a story that the muhtasib (medieval trade supervisors) of Seville banned the sale of truffles near the mosque for fear they would spoil the morals of the followers.

For centuries, a species of beetle called cantharsis found in southern Europe has been used as an aphrodisiac after being dried and ground into a fine powder. Indigenous peoples of Central Africa have long used yohimbine, a stimulant believed to be derived from the bark of the yohimbe tree.

According to naturalist, philosopher, and naval commander of the Roman Empire, Pliny the Elder, mandrake root increases arousal because it resembles female genitalia. But the 'king' of aphrodisiac for the Greeks as well as the Romans was satyrion.

Many documents have recorded the effects of this plant but it has not been accurately identified in modern times, although some people consider it to be similar to forest orchids.

According to philosopher Theophratus, the satyrion stimulant was once thought to be effective 'night seven days three'! One Roman author suggested that simply rubbing it on the soles of the feet was enough to induce stimulation, while another claimed to hold a part of the plant in your hand as well! The most common use, however, is for the pounded root to be added to the wine.

Cleopatra's Secret

Kamasutra, the Indian 'love sutra', refers to foods that increase sexual potency.

Many foods are said to be aphrodisiacs that give strength to both men and women, but modern science has disproved them. Some people believe that their effectiveness is just due to the trust of the user. Discussing the subject, the Roman philosopher, Seneca, said: 'I will show you a love spell that is not a potion, not a herb, not a witch's spell. That is, if you want to be loved, love!'.

An ancient story tells that, while dining with Marc Antony at a luxurious dinner, Cleopatra called her servant to bring a glass of wine and drop in it the pearl earring she was wearing, this was the largest pearl. world at that time.

After the jade melted, she drained the glass of wine. It is not known if jade has any effect, but both wine and vinegar were believed by the ancient Egyptians to be stimulants. Cleopatra, while showing off her wealth to her lover, also prepared herself for euphoria.

The thing to note here is that while in much of the ancient world, aphrodisiacs were geared towards male potency, in Egypt it was more often aimed at female libido.

Cleopatra is ranked as the most famous seductress of antiquity, and with her beauty, she seduced both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, as well as countless less powerful men. And pearls aren't the only weapon in her arsenal.

With her legendary lust, she is said to have used many aphrodisiacs, including perfumes and opium, to seduce men. Legend has it that she applied a mixture of honey and crushed almonds to her private parts, driving her lovers crazy.