Fine Upstanding Men

Readers may have noticed, that many of the herbs in my Plants We Used To Use posts had been advocated for their aphrodisiac properties. Mostly, this has proved to be wishful thinking. However, British Pfizer scientists developed Sildenafil citrate (UK-92480) as a potential treatment for high blood pressure and angina. It was noted, however, that penile erection was a common side-effect in men, after experimental treatment with the compound. There's, of course, massive riches to be made from an effective aphrodisiac for men. In the early 90's, Swansea's Morriston Hospital carried out the first trial using Sildenafil citrate to successfully counter erectile dysfunction in volunteers. Sildenafil was consequently rechristened 'Viagra' (a pun on the Niagara waterfall) and the rest is, as they say, history. A Christmas BBC dramatisation of Morriston hospital's pioneering work has been very well-received (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/29/men-up-review-drug-viagra-masterpiece-tv). It kept up the Christmas viewing figures, as well as treating the complex issues sympathetically. This 90 minute programme was, however, a fictional story line with actors. Actuality was somewhat different (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/bbc-men-up-real-story-28360991).