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Agrimony
Agrimony is believed to benefit the entire system and to treat debility and low libido. It is a particular favorite of Native Americans who also use it for treating bowel complaints and simple diarrhea. The plant has a long and fascinating history as a medicinal herb, of which John Parkinson says in Theatre of Plants, 1640: "made with wine, it is good against the sting and biting of serpents." More recently, and bearing far more relation to the plant's reputation as a potent love potion, Harold Ward says in Herbal Manual (1936) , "Agrimony is an old remedy for debility, as it gives tone to the whole system." Use: Make a tea by adding a pint of boiling water to one ounce of the dried herb and leave to stand for five minutes before straining and serving. A little honey or pure maple syrup can be added to improve the taste.
Alcohol
Even Shakespeare was moved by love potions and their effect on sexual activity, in particular alcohol which the Bard suggested may be a powerful aphrodisiac in moderation. In excess 'brewers' droop' is more likely. In Macbeth the porter advises: "And drink, sir, is a great provoker of three tilings - nose painting, sleep and urine Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." In short, too much alcohol has the opposite effect, being more likely to send the individual into a deep sleep than energize his lovemaking skills.
In moderation, however, most experts suggest alcohol can induce feelings of well being and make the body eager for sex. Champagne is probably most effective, generating a feeling of warmth that bathes the entire body, including the erogenous zones. As David Reuben says in 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex': "Alcohol calms all fears, including the dozens of anxieties surrounding sex ........... Alcohol is a sexual lubricant in another way. It surrounds everything with a nice glow. So you don't do well-who cares? Who remembers?"
Although champagne is considered the best liquid love potion, most forms of alcohol reduce inhibition and lower barriers to lovemaking, except when consumed to excess. A bottle of wine with a meal, or a few glasses of gin before bed might be just as acceptable, and less expensive than champers!
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is one of the oldest healing and aphrodisiacal herbs, being used by the ancient Arabs who dubbed it 'Father of all foods'. Sixteenth-century herbalist Gerard prescribed it for upset stomachs and other digestive disorders and throughout the world it is used as a reliable treatment during convalescence. Organic salts contained in alfalfa are among the richest known and the leaves, the medicinal part, are used to treat numerous conditions, being a good overall tonic. Ancient and modern athletes used alfalfa for increased energy and endurance, explaining why it offers the same benefits during the lovemaking process. Use: Make a tea or juice by adding one teaspoonful of the dried leaves to a cupful of boiling water. Stir well and leave to stand for a couple of minutes before straining and drinking warm as tea or cold as a juice.
Angelica
The root is used to treat heart defects, hence the reason it may also be a powerful sexual stimulant for men and women, with seemingly greater effects on women. Long ago angelica was given to women who were frigid, again testifying to its long-standing quality as a powerful aphrodisiac. The plant is said to be named after the Archangel Raphael who appeared in a vision to a tenth-century monk, during which he revealed the plant as a cure for the plague. Today the crushed root is added to liqueur to provide taste and increase passion and durability in lovemaking. Use: Make a tea from one ounce of the seed or herb steeped in a pint of boiling water left to stand until cool. Take in wineglassful doses half an hour or so before lovemaking.
Aniseed
Aniseed - anise seed - was used by the early Egyptians for culinary and medicinal purposes while in ancient Rome it was made into tea to sweeten the breath and was also considered a potent aphrodisiac. Soaked in milk the herb makes a tasty tea which helps induce sound sleep. Use: Make a tea by adding one teaspoonful of the dried herb to a cupful of hot milk or boiling water and leave to stand for a few minutes before straining and drinking warm or cold as a juice. Take in wineglassful doses half an hour or so before lovemaking.
Asparagus
Asparagus, being commonly used as an everyday food, also has a long reputation as a powerful love potion. Asparagus wine is particularly stimulating, so too the fresh chopped variety added to salad or other main meals taken just before retiring.
© Copyright The C. W. Daniel Company Ltd .
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