Spanish fly
Toxic green beetle
Spanish fly is a preparation made from dried, crushed blister beetles, historically used as a supposed aphrodisiac.
The substance contains cantharidin, which irritates the urinary tract and can cause priapism—leading to its undeserved reputation as a sexual stimulant.
It's actually toxic and potentially fatal.
The term now loosely refers to any purported aphrodisiac: He joked about slipping Spanish fly into her drink.
Elixir causing romantic desire
- philterCharm-inducing beverage
- libidoInnate erotic drive
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- potencyDegree of strength
stimulant · folklore · legend · alchemy · elixir · charm · Marquis de Sade · banned substance
Hard-winged insect
- blister beetleBeetle producing caustic defensive chemical
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
- iridescentShowing shifting spectral colors
- emerald greenBright bluish-green color
antennae · entomology · arthropod · exoskeleton · larvae · metamorphosis · mandibles · thorax
Harmful ingested substance
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- nephrotoxicHarmful to kidneys
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- lethalCausing or capable of death
dangerous · hazardous · overdose · burning · inflammation · renal failure · contraband · banned
love potion
Elixir causing romantic desire
potency · stimulant · folklore · legend · alchemy · elixir · charm · Marquis de Sade · banned substance · quackery
beetle
Hard-winged insect
- blister beetleBeetle producing caustic defensive chemical
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
- iridescentShowing shifting spectral colors
emerald green · antennae · entomology · arthropod · exoskeleton · larvae · metamorphosis · mandibles · thorax · abdomen
poison
Harmful ingested substance
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- nephrotoxicHarmful to kidneys
- fatalCausing death or ruin
lethal · dangerous · hazardous · overdose · burning · inflammation · renal failure · contraband · banned · illegal
- blister beetlesblister beetle
- wrestling movessuplex, powerbomb, piledriver, clothesline, dropkick
- vesicantsmustard gas, nitrogen mustard
- venomous creaturescobra, rattlesnake, scorpion, black widow, coral snake
- darkling beetlesmealworm, superworm
Spanish flysaltpeter
Potassium nitrate compound
chemical castration · bromide · cold shower · frigidity · sexual dysfunction
Spanish flyViagra
Branded impotence medication
Cialis · evidence-based medicine · pharmaceutical · prescription medication · clinical treatment