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Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

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Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#3
> In whittling down al-­Nuwayri’s opus, his selections skew to the crowd-pleasing. Large chunks of history (which made up the bulk of the original text) and scribal etiquette are jettisoned, while the heart of the translation consists of marvelous chapters on wildlife (“mute beasts”), botany and “sexual medicines.”

I'm a little disappointed by this. I understand the need to abridge it, but to skew towards the "crowd-pleasing" is a bit much. Maybe it's just me but I'd have rather had things more proportionally represented (ie have some more history!). From the sound of it, every part of this has its own wonder, and I'd rather the translation reflect that.

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#4
post #2

I have an idea that any sufficiently large volume of general knowledge, will contain supposed aphrodisiacs. The corollary is that any mysticism around food or drinks will conclude that virtually everything is an aphrodisiac.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Aphrodisiacs

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#5
post #2

I have an idea that any sufficiently large volume of general knowledge, will contain supposed aphrodisiacs. The corollary is that any mysticism around food or drinks will conclude that virtually everything is an aphrodisiac.

the first statement is obvious, isn't it? replace the aphrodisiacs with anything, like 'hammer', it still holds.

the second one is interesting, but I didn't quite get how this can be deduced from the first statement.

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#6
post #5
post #2

I have an idea that any sufficiently large volume of general knowledge, will contain supposed aphrodisiacs. The corollary is that any mysticism around food or drinks will conclude that virtually everything is an aphrodisiac.

the first statement is obvious, isn't it? replace the aphrodisiacs with anything, like 'hammer', it still holds. the second one is interesting, but I didn't quite get how this can be deduced from the first statement.

Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist, and hammers have for thousands of years, I see a small difference.

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#7
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the first statement is obvious, isn't it? replace the aphrodisiacs with anything, like 'hammer', it still holds. the second one is interesting, but I didn't quite get how this can be deduced from the first statement.

Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist, and hammers have for thousands of years, I see a small difference.

[deleted]

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#8
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the first statement is obvious, isn't it? replace the aphrodisiacs with anything, like 'hammer', it still holds. the second one is interesting, but I didn't quite get how this can be deduced from the first statement.

Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist, and hammers have for thousands of years, I see a small difference.

> Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist

What do you mean? You're denying the existence of a) libido, b) drugs, or c) the effect of drugs on libido. Could you elaborate? None of the above statements strikes me as true.

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#9
post #8
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist, and hammers have for thousands of years, I see a small difference.

> Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist What do you mean? You're denying the existence of a) libido, b) drugs, or c) the effect of drugs on libido. Could you elaborate? None of the above statements strikes me as true.

C... obviously, since neither A nor B fit the definition of "Aphrodisiacs". There are no drugs that I'm aware of which increase sexual desire, can you name some?

Re: Aphrodisiacs? Search This Medieval Islamic Encyclopedia

#10
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Considering that aphrodisiacs don't exist What do you mean? You're denying the existence of a) libido, b) drugs, or c) the effect of drugs on libido. Could you elaborate? None of the above statements strikes me as true.

C... obviously, since neither A nor B fit the definition of "Aphrodisiacs". There are no drugs that I'm aware of which increase sexual desire, can you name some?

Anecdotally, I've noticed a consistent marked increase in my sexual desire from eating certain things. Cayenne pepper, ginger root, garlic, and in particular tongkat ali. I naturally have a very high sex drive so perhaps I'm more susceptible than most.
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