AGNUS Castus

AGNUS Castus, a shrub, was famous among the ancients as a specific for the preservation of chastity, and the preventing of all venereal desires, pollutions, etc. The Greeks called it "Agnos," to which has since been added the reduplicative Castus, q.d. Chaste, sole or trembling.The Athenian Ladies, who made Profession of Chastity, lay upon leaves of Agnus Castus, during the Feasts of Ceres.See CEREALIA. It is reputed a cooler, and particularly of the genital parts; and was anciently used in physic, to allay those inordinate motions arising from seminal turgescences. But it is out of the present practice. See POTURITION.

AGNUS Castus