Love potion
A love potion () is a magical liquid which supposedly causes the drinker to develop feelings of love towards the person who served it. The love potion motif occurs in literature, mainly in fairy tales, and in paintings, drama, music and mythology. In the Middle Ages, extracts from nightshades were used as hallucinogens, and to make supposed love potions and flying ointments. Such plants may have included belladonna, angel's trumpets, jimsonweed, black henbane, European scopolia or autumn mandrake, which contain alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine, which are hallucinogenic in higher doses) characterized by a narrow therapeutic index. Some attempts to create love potions have led to overdose or death where the preparations were not standardized for the content of potent compounds. Other alleged aphrodisiacs include Spanish fly, lizard necks, flowers, mashed worms, sacramental bread, and "sweaty cakes" (made from human hair, glandular excretions, skin and blood). See also
Aphrodisiac
Cupid / Eros
Dating coach
Pickup artist

References

Seduction
Mythological food and drink
Hyoscyamus
Magic substances
Love