In our class tonight, we discussed Willow as an anaphrodisiac. I have often seen Lettuce, which we also studied tonight, referred to in literature (poetry, plays) of the Early Modern period as an anaphrodisiac. Dioscorides mentions this aspect, too. I am wondering if you have ever come across this association between Lettuce and the inhibition of sexual desire, and also if it might not be due, more than anything else, to the plant's sedative effects. I'm curious because it really does appear quite frequently in literature (Venus planting lettuce in Adonis' grave to keep him faithful to her, for example).
with many thanks,
Diana