HM a few facts
Anaphrodisiac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An
anaphrodisiac is something that quells or blunts the
libido. It is the opposite of an
aphrodisiac, something that enhances sexual appetite. The word
anaphrodisiac comes from the
Greek prefix αν-, denoting negation, and the Greek goddess of love,
Aphrodite.
Side effects of certain
medications may be anaphroditic in nature (e.g.
SSRIs and certain
antipsychotics), however, there are no substances that have safe anaphroditic effects without major side effects. Antiandrogen drugs such as
cyproterone or
medroxyprogesterone are sometimes prescribed to convicted
sex offenders such as rapists and pedophiles who are released on parole in an effort to stop them reoffending, however the high doses required often cause a range of side effects which may limit
compliance.
Herbal anaphrodisiacs have been employed by various religious sects and orders throughout history. Most commonly,
Chaste Tree (
Vitex agnus-castus) has been used to normalize hormones in both men and women. An over-active libido is very often treated herbally by addressing poor adrenal function.
Rumours that the
British Army put the 19th century
anticonvulsant and
sedative potassium bromide in soldiers' tea during
World War II to damp soldiers' lust appears to be an
urban myth. Given the long half-life of the drug in the body, a mildly sedated army would be unlikely to be an effective fighting force. A similar belief appears to exist in the United States about
saltpeter in army coffee or in Russia about
potassium bromide in army food.
Potassium nitrate is the oxidizing component of
black powder. Before the large-scale industrial
fixation of nitrogen through the
Haber process, major sources of potassium nitrate were the deposits crystallizing from cave walls and the draining of
decomposing organic material. Dung-heaps were a particularly common source:
ammonia from the decomposition of
urea and other nitrogenous materials would undergo bacterial oxidation to produce nitrate. It was and is also used as a component in some
fertilizers. When used by itself as a fertilizer, it has an NPK rating of 13-0-38 (indicating 13.9%, 0%, and 38.7% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, by mass, respectively). Potassium nitrate was once thought to induce
impotence, and is still rumored to be in institutional food (such as military fare) as an
anaphrodisiac; these uses would be ineffective, since potassium nitrate has no such properties.
[2] However, potassium nitrate and other nitrates do successfully combat high blood pressure and are used medically to relieve
angina.
Historically, nitre-beds were prepared by mixing
manure with either mortar or wood ashes, common earth and organic materials such as straw to give porosity to a compost pile typically 1.5 meters high by 2 meters wide by 5 metres long.
[3] The heap was usually under a cover from the rain, kept moist with urine, turned often to accelerate the decomposition and
leached with water after approximately one year. The liquid containing various nitrates was then converted with wood ashes to potassium nitrates, crystallized and refined for use in
gunpowder.
During the 19th century and until around
World War I, potassium nitrate was produced on an industrial scale produced nitrates, first by the
Birkeland-Eyde process in 1905, and then later from ammonium produced by the much more efficient
Haber process. The latter process came online during World War I, and supplied Germany with nitrates critical for the warfare that it otherwise had no access to the deposits of natural nitrate in Chile. It is assumed that this prolonged World War I. Today practically all nitrates are produced by ammonia from the Haber proces
Potassium nitrate is also used as a
fertilizer, in
amateur rocket propellant, and in several fireworks such as
smoke bombs, in which a mixture with sugar produces a smoke cloud of 600 times their own volume.
Potassium nitrate is also the main component (usually about 98%) of tree stump remover; it accelerates the natural decomposition of the stump.
[2]
It has also been used in the manufacture of
ice cream and can be found in some
toothpastes for sensitive
teeth.[
citation needed] Recently, the use of potassium nitrate in
toothpastes for treating sensitive teeth has increased dramatically, despite the fact that it has not been conclusively shown to help dental hypersensitivity.
[5]
Potassium nitrate is also one of the three parts of
black powder, along with powdered charcoal (substantially carbon) and sulfur, where it acts as an
oxidizer.
Now as to rather it was used or not I don't know, I'm not a cook but I have heard it mentioned many times that it was indeed used. I don't know are really care, I have read stories that says it does not work and some that says it does. Though I do agree that no chemical should be used with out consent. You be the judge. As far as Nam goes, yes there were whores everywhere, yet I know a fellow who was a cook and said they did add it to some foods, so maybe he was full of shit, I don't know.