Читать книгу Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores онлайн

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The aromatic leaves of tarragon, which grows in South East Europe, is considered, in addition to its use as a flavoring agent, as an amatory aid.

The oil extracted from the fresh leaves of the ruta graveolens plant produces an amatory excitation.

Both in ancient and in medieval days amatory virtues were attributed to the plant known botanically as radix Chinae.

The juice of the plant spurge, in composition with other items such as ginger, nettle seed, pellitory, cinnamon, and cardamom, is considered, among Arabs, as highly provocative.

The aromatic leaves of sage had an amatory repute. So with tulip bulbs and savory which the Romans knew as satureia.

Hierobota, or pisteriona, an herb mentioned by the medieval philosopher Albertus Magnus, was credited with such potency that its mere possession was said to act as a stimulant.

Pimpinella anisum, which is the botanical designation of anise, is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. The ancients knew anise, and it was equally familiar to the Middle Ages, as a love attribute.