Random Disgusting Love Potions Were Real (12 items)

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  (#9) Earthworms Would Strengthen The Relationship Between Husband And Wife

  In the 16th century, a popular book called The Boke of Secretes of Albertus Magnus of the Vertues of Herbes, Stones and Certaine Beastes began circulating, giving instructions on how to mix certain herbs and even animals to create love potions. Not all potions were made to make someone fall in love with you, though. Even married couples had use for such concoctions. One recipe in Magnus's book called for periwinkle to be mixed with crushed earthworms. When put in your spouse's food, the result would be increased affection between a husband and wife.
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  (#6) Worms, Bodily Fluids, And Fire Were Used By Women In Mexico

  In 17th century Mexico, a fair amount of women were actually convicted for their use of love potions. They would acquire ingredients from indigenous people, and combine herbs, corn, milk, either fried or crushed worms, and bodily fluids.

  They would prepare the potion and then either rub it on a sleeping man's chest, sneak it into his food, or both. Some of these rituals even required the use of fire and smoke, the origins of which are thought to have come from Spain.
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  (#10) Anti-Love Potions Were Also Popular, And Included Bloodletting

  As eager as people were for love, some also sought to "cure" themselves of the perceived ailment. Luckily, there were cures for these needs as well. Some of these cures included bloodletting, drinking a ton of water, and avoiding alcohol and rich food. 
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  (#1) Medieval "Love Cake" Involved Sweating Into Your Dough–From Every Orifice

  Love potions were generally ingested, which makes the ingredients of this medieval-era "love cake" potentially disgusting. If someone wanted to make a person fall in love with them, they would bake a cake while not wearing any clothing, and then rub the dough on every single orifice in order to absorb their sweat into the cake. Yes, this included armpits and privates. They would then feed the finished cake to their crush, who would fall head over heels in love, thanks to the power of sweat.
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  (#11) Modern Scientists Look To The Culture Of Ancient Love Potions To Create Romance Aids

  Although the idea of a love potion seems outdated, modern scientists are looking to the past to create a new future. Scientists believe they can use medicine to modify the parts of the brain that respond to love, meaning a pill could be the next incarnation of Spanish Fly mixed with menstrual blood.

  Seeing as how there has been an age-old market for love-inducing and/or altering potions, it's not surprising that scientists are looking into using chemistry to enhance relationships in this day and age.
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  (#2) One Potion Required Human Cadavers

  As popular as animal remains were in potions, human cadavers were more taboo, but still utilized. These included bone smashed into a powder, hair, and the menstrual blood. The potions allegedly worked best if there were ingredients from both romantic parties involved.

  One specific recipe called for the spleen and bone marrow of a murdered boy, so sometimes these things got pretty specific. The use of menstrual blood in numerous love potions hints at the fact that it was mostly women who used love potions, and some ended up being convicted of witchcraft as a result.

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