Since ancient times, Greek and Roman doctors prescribed
parsley seeds to treat sterility. In France, parsley is still regarded as capable of increasing libido and as a remedy for male sexual dysfunctions. It is said that Rasputin added dill seeds to his bath water and to the bath water of women he wanted to seduce.
In Arab tradition,
tarragon, renowned for its aphrodisiacal
virtues, was used to prepare love potions. American Indians rubbed their bodies and clothes in it, believing to make themselves irresistible to the opposite sex.
One of the most interesting anecdotes concerns
Savory. Among all the aromatic and medicinal herbs cultivated in convents and monasteries, this was the only one to be excluded because of its enlivening virtues. Wives were advised to sprinkle it like pepper on grilled meat to waken up desire in unenthusiastic husbands.
The association between Myrtle and matrimony goes way back in time: believing that it could make someone fall in love and protect love life, the Romans dedicated it to Venus. Newly weds wore a woven crown of it on their wedding day. In England it is still said today that when myrtle grows in a garden it means that a wedding will soon take place for one of the members of the family.
Verbena was considered a «love plant», known in the Gallic-roman world because it reanimated the flame and for this reason was dedicated to Venus. There are many recipes for love potions. Some of them also required a sort of ceremony, such as this recipe from the XVII century: «It is necessary to take a new knife and on the first Friday of the new moon go to collect verbena. It is necessary to kneel facing the rising sun whilst cutting and say the words: Sara isquina safos (I gather you, powerful herb). Prepare it in your room. Ensure that the powder you have collected is eaten by the person desired ».
