Octavius Horatianus recommends moderate exercise, friction of the
extremities, and particularly of the groins, with pepper, euphorbium,
and the like; applying plasters (dropaces) of the same to the groins and
loins, or making suppositories of them; giving flatulent food, such as
rocket, pepper, and the seeds of tares; lying upon a downy bed; having
the attendance of females; and indulging in obscene reading.
See a long list of aphrodisiacal medicines in Myrepsus (40); and in
Avicenna (iii, 20, 1, 18.) In the latter we remark the nettle, lupine,
rocket, asparagus, parsley, cresses, beans, cinnamon, and an animal
called _dabet alurel_, which we conjecture to be the stellio or swift.
Haly Abbas treats minutely of this affection, according as it arises
from paralysis of the part or defect of semen. In the latter case, as he
considers the state of the parts to be connected until a dry and cold
intemperament, he recommends juicy flesh, beans, vetches, sweet wine, and
so forth. He approves of a hot bath in which violets have been boiled. He
also gives calefacients, such as rocket, ginger, asparagus, onions, and
the like. Alsaharavius mentions various causes of impotence. One of them
is, “excessus delectationis ad illam quam diligit.”
The aphrodisiacal properties of rocket are mentioned by Juvenal (Sat.
ix, 134.) See also Pliny (H. N. xix, 6.) Juvenal appears to allude to
aphrodisiacal friction. (Sat. vi, 52.)
Athenæus gives a marvellous account of the efficacy of aphrodisiacal
medicines. (Deipnos. i, 11.) See the thirty-sixth Section of the First
Book of this work.