Aphrodisiacs, Fertility and Medicine in Early Modern England | Dr Jennifer Evans | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Examining historical aphrodisiacs reveals intriguing beliefs tying lust and fertility, from unconventional food choices to cultural perceptions.

Transcript

MALE SPEAKER: Jen, over to you. JENNIFER EVANS: OK, well, thank you very much for coming and spending your lunch hour listening to me talk about something quite random. I'm a senior lecturer in history at the University of Hertfordshire. And I run a blog called Early Modern Medicine. I have some cards at the front. If you do you find yourself fasci... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫵 Aphrodisiacs in the 17th century were viewed as medicinal aids to enhance fertility and promote desire, tied to cultural beliefs about status and reproduction.
• 😋 Unconventional aphrodisiac options included animal genitalia and plant-based foods, with beliefs aligned with the doctrine of signatures and sympathetic healing principles.
• 😒 Social class influenced the use of aphrodisiacs, with recommendations tailored to different economic levels, reflecting concerns about fertility and status within the community.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the concept of aphrodisiacs in the 17th century differ from modern perceptions?

In the 17th century, aphrodisiacs were primarily viewed as medicinal aids to enhance fertility and promote desire, rather than solely for enhancing sexual pleasure.

Q: What were some unconventional aphrodisiacs recommended in the 17th century?

Unconventional aphrodisiac foods included animal genitalia, such as stag horns, as well as plant-based options like beans and potatoes, believed to have stimulating effects on reproduction.

Q: How did social class influence the use of aphrodisiacs in the 17th century?

Aphrodisiac recommendations catered to all social classes, with a range of options from readily available foods for lower classes to more expensive ingredients for the upper classes, reflecting concerns about fertility and status in the community.

Q: How did popular literature and court cases reflect the cultural significance of aphrodisiacs in the 17th century?

Ballads and court cases highlighted the importance of fertility and status, with aphrodisiacs playing a role in improving libido and chances of conception, demonstrating the broader impact of aphrodisiac beliefs in society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Aphrodisiacs in the 17th century were seen as medicinal, aiming to enhance fertility by promoting desire and pleasure for men and women.

• Various categories of aphrodisiacs included hot foods, seed provokers, and salty foods, each targeting specific bodily functions related to reproduction.

• Popular literature and court cases reflect the cultural significance of aphrodisiacs as tools for improving status and fertility in the community.