Tomatoes were cultivated by the Aztecs in the Americas—then brought to Italy by the Spanish in the 1500s—but people thought they were either poisonous or an aphrodisiac. In France, tomatoes were called pommes d’amour—“apples of love”—due to the belief that they had aphrodisiac properties; In Italy, tomatoes were called pomi d’oro—“golden apples”—because the first tomatoes in Europe …
According to legend, roses were originally only white but turned red after Cupid mischievously poured wine over the flower Roses symbolize beauty, suffering, and love. Roses are the most popular flower in the world with over 150 species and thousands of hybrids being cultivated globally. In Northern European folklore, roses are believed to be owned by …
An aphrodisiac is any substance used to increase pleasure, desire, and/or performance In Indian and Greek folklore, saffron was considered to be an aphrodisiac so potent that it would corrupt any woman In Indian and Greek folklore, saffron was considered to be an aphrodisiac so potent that it would corrupt any woman. Today, saffron has …
Wolfsbane was used as protection against werewolves and vampires In European folklore, wolfsbane was believed to protect against werewolves and vampires. Others believed that touching wolfsbane on a full moon could cause shape-shifting. Historically, wolfsbane was used in small doses to treat patients who had delusions of being a wolf. It was also said to …
Some Native American tribes used Ghost Pipe as a remedy for physical and emotional pain—often compared to opiates Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is considered to have nervine properties, meaning it can support and calm the nervous system. It’s been used to treat nervous system disorders, anxiety, and intense pain, including migraines and …