How About A Love Potion...?

Since valentine's day is just around the corner, I wanted to discuss some gift ideas.

You might not need any of these, but just in case you or someone you know does...I thought I would offer some different love potions I found in the pages of Farmer's Almanac.

Just doing my part to share the information in a timely fashion, ya know?

The Aphrodisiac That Really Works

by Christine Schultz

Source: Adapted from an article in the 1996 Old Farmer's Almanac

History is full of stories of ordinary people using bizare stimulants for their love live: powder from the horns of rhinos, bat blood mixed with whiskey, crocodile dung . . . you get the idea.

People have hoped for sexual euphoria since ancient times. In fact, the very word, aphrodisiac, comes from the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, who has inspired cultures throughout the ages to achieve her legendary heights of delight. For example:

*Pliny the Elder recommended hippopotamus snout and hyena eyes.

*Horace touted dried marrow and liver.

*In Elizabethan times, prunes were so highly regarded as aphrodisiacs that they were served for free in brothels.

The Science of Infatuation

The possibility of death, presence of danger, secrecy, and even chocolate can spark erotic urgency. But so can the brain chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA). This is the stimulant the brain releases in the early stages of infatuation. It's the revver-upper that allows us to stay awake all night and lose our appetites.

PEA races through the system of the thrill seeker, allowing the adventurer to feel alert, self-assured and ready for whatever challenge awaits. For those men who need more help, we offer some tips from the great romantics of the past:

*Casanova championed oysters.

*Napoleon treasured truffles.

*Popeye performed manly feats on a can or two of spinach.

*The Mharajah of Bikaner ingested crushed diamonds.

*If all else fails, go forth and make yourself rich, or powerful, or the caretaker of a baby, for there are women who say these traits are most alluring.

Do love potions work?

In 1989, The US Food and Drug Administration banned advertisers from promoting pills or potions because testing had shown that none worked no matter what the contents—whether fennel or dried beetle bodies.

Any that appeared to work did so only because the user believed they would—the stimulant lay only in the users' mind. In other words, it's the imagination that creates its own exciting possibilities and the body that leaps forward to fulfill the fantasies.

The Last Stimulant You'll Ever Need

Love is the most magnificent of aphrodisiacs. Although it is certainly no more easier to get a hold of than some of these potions, it's a heck of a lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

Before you spend money on the goods, spend the time on your partner. Otherwise nothing will work. In the words of Prince Charles, who was offered an arousing cup of camel's milk post-Diana: "Fat lot of use it's going to be to me now!

I guess the fact that some of these might cost less than the modern versions, it might be worth investigating. Must be a high profit margin in modern versions of "snake oil", judging from the number of spam messages I get from folks selling Viagra!

To all the people trying to sell me this stuff, I don't want it and really don't need it. You'll just have to take my word for it 'cause I ain't going into details here!

How about some fresh coffee? Talk about a true love potion!