Indian Aphrodisiacs

Over the years, I have become very familiar with the scholarship and writing style of Bhagwan Dash. This book is different and disappointing. It is co-authored with a professional freelance writer and is much more handsomely designed than other books by Dr. Dash, however, it is "thin" and lacks the erudition and commentary we have come to expect from the main author.The book is small, less than 100 pages. Of this, there are lavish full page color pictures, mostly consistent with the subject matter, i.e., expect to see Khajuraho prints and the usual stylized love making typical of Indian art. As for the text, it circles maddeningly. Instead of developing a concept, it loops back in endless repetitions.The entire content could probably be summarized in 16 pages of succinct writing but even that would have overlap and redundancy.There is a sort of botanical section, very simplistic, enough to enable a total novice to identify the plants correctly, but not enough to satisfy anyone that the plants have the properties alleged. The beginning of the book is about sexual ethics as promulgated by the Manu. If the purpose was to overcome the idea that aphrodisiacs are merely for pleasure, the authors perhaps succeeded; but the commentary is superficial.As noted, I have given the book three stars, not one. Therefore, its redeeming qualities require some explanation as well. The authors have given the precise references to the historic materials on which the theories of fertility and virility are based. They have also given the "recipes" but these are mostly milk and ghee and honey and/or sugar with an herb. Vegans will not find much to appreciate in the protocols, but even vegetarians will be offended by some of the recommended ingredients, such as fried testicles of animals and even more exotic body parts.As a long-time student of Ayurveda, I find this book hard to review. It is neither a textbook nor a guide for people with low libido or infertility. In fact, while not wishing to steal the thunder of the book, the protocols are intended to be used after kaya kalpa, a massive undertaking for anyone, so this speaks to a potential audience of elderly readers in search of lost youth; but there are a few worthy remarks so those who are completely unfamiliar with this subject may find something of value. This said, men will definitely get more out of the book than women.