Ups and downs of aphrodisiacs

Recently, scientists in Uncle Sam's country have been able to concoct a drug by the name of Viagra, which has become an instant best seller throughout the world. I do not know whether this wonder drug has reached Indonesia, but in other countries it is being sold at US$80 per tablet, although the official price in the U.S. is only $10 per tablet, quite expensive even there.

I am confident that the scientists who produced this wonder tablet will undoubtedly become as rich as the inventor of computer software. Why on earth have I made such a long prologue? Because it will make a septuagenarian feel young again as if he were a teenager and married couples who for years hoped for an offspring may regard this wonder drug as a godsend.

Now I have to disclose the function of this wonder tablet. It is an aphrodisiac against impotence. But in Indonesia there is a generic medicine which has the same effect and has been known since time immemorial.

It is called Pasak Bumi and originates from the jungles of Kalimantan. Actually, it is the name of a tree and the bark is cut into small pieces and boiled in water; the boiled extract gives this medicine its magical effect.

Here is my colleague's story about trying the potent medicine.

After having drunk it, he immediately felt as though his body was on fire and he was highly aroused. Naturally, his spouse was surprised at her husband's extraordinary newfound virility. Only a dousing of ice-cold water could bring things back to "normal", so to speak.

But the after effect was severe hemorrhoids and severe bleeding every time he answered the call of nature. It was also a big drain on his wallet but he could not seek help from a practitioner of Western medicine. In the end, only a Chinese quack remedy delivered him from his nagging affliction. I share this anecdote with the benevolent intention of warning readers of the side effects of such aphrodisiacs!

A. DJUANA

Jakarta