http://www.geefarms.com/terms.htmthought that the gardeners amongst us might find something worthwhile in this list. and Dr. Bill can have a field day!
Dear etaoin: I remember being told in biochemistry that "belladonna" the plant, was so named because Italian ladies thought that the atropine effect of dilating pupils made them more attractive. I am sceptical that this could ever have been popular, because those who took it would also have their vision blurred disagreeably. I once almost cut off a finger using a circular saw before the effects of
atropine given me for a refraction had worne off, and my depth perception was badly impaired. I went to pick up a cut piece, and put my hand right into the saw.
Belladonna ladies operating circular saws? Try to get your teeth, if you can, into that scene. Belladonna ladies had to operate (at most) the draping of an arm across a dancing partner's shoulders or the lifting of that last glass of wine to their pouty, expectant lips.
J. Potter
it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited..
so i suspect the belladonna was used to make it seem like the ladies were enjoying themselves.. and looking excited, i suspect, also made them look more attactive.. (and by looking at them through bleary eyes, perhaps their companions, as well!)
Dear habrotrocha: Glad to see you post. I have sent you
a PM. Bill
it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited.. You are speaking from experience as a teacher?
it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited
This was confirmed in a study that was mentioned in Scientific American many years ago. I would also imagine that the helplessness engendered by the fuzziness of vision resulting from the use of belladonna was also a turn on for the gentlemen of the time.
I searched for "belladonna aphrodisiac" and got a bunch of hits. Here's one:
http://www.alchemy-works.com/scopolia.htmlYou wouldn'catch me trying it. Anyway, I never needed any.
Mentioned in Plutarch's Live of Lysander"
"the Cretan storax"
storax
n.
5ME < L storax, styrax < Gr styrax, of Sem orig., as in Heb tsori, terebinth resin6
1 the aromatic balsam exuded by liquidambar trees, used in medicine and perfumery
2 a fragrant, solid resin obtained from a small, E Mediterranean tree (Styrax officinalis) of the storax family, formerly used as incense
3 any of a genus (Styrax) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs of the storax family, with drooping clusters of showy white flowers
adj.
designating a family (Styracaceae, order Ebenales) of widely distributed dicotyledonous trees or shrubs, as the snowbell
Wasn't the storax one of the members of Dr. Seuss's bestiary?
Buy "the Lorax" by Dr. Seuss at Barnes & Noble.com