Satyrion

Ingredients

In Ancient Greek and Greco-Roman pharmacology (found in texts by Dioscorides, Galen, and later compilers like Paul of Aegina), satyrion formulas typically combined the primary plant with elements chosen for their sympathetic heat, moisture, or symbolic potency:

• Man Orchis (Satyrium or Orchis root): The essential ingredient. Ancient users specifically selected the lower, firm, and full testicle-shaped bulb for arousal, rejecting the soft, withered upper bulb (which was believed to inhibit desire instead).
• Dried Deer's Penis: Grated into the mixture as an animal stimulant chosen for its size and vigor.
• Skink or Lizard Flesh (specifically the kidneys): Often steeped or dried, added for their reputed aphrodisiac power in Greek lore.
• Rocket Seed (Eruca sativa): Added to provide a stinging, fiery "heat" to the humors.
• Black or White Pepper: Used to speed up the blood and stimulate the nervous system.
• Pine Cones or Pine Kernels: Added as a symbol of fertility and seed-reproduction.
• Turpentine Resin: Used as a binding agent and internal warming element.
• Aromatic Oils (such as Iris or Pine oil): Used to grind the compounds into a smooth paste.
• Dry Red Wine or Honey: The traditional liquid vehicles used to dissolve the powder for drinking.

How to Use Satyrion

To use the pharmakon, the physician or user would first take the fresh, plump orchid root, wash it thoroughly, and dry it in the shade until it could be crushed. According to the texts, the dried root was ground into a fine powder alongside the seeds, spices, and animal parts using a mortar and pestle, then bound together with honey or turpentine into a thick paste or electuary. A small dollop of this paste was dissolved into a cup of strong, undiluted red wine and swallowed on an empty stomach shortly before intercourse to ignite the inner heat and force blood to the lower parts. Alternatively, for an immediate effect without drinking, writers noted that the root could simply be held firmly in the palm of the hand to let its vital essence absorb through the skin, or the ground powder could be mixed into warming oils and rubbed topically onto the groin, loins, and thighs.