No, I think it's no more than an unsavoury rumour, but it is circulating vigorously.

Quite right about the brothels not wanting raw material from that source: can't imagine there'd be many clients returning if the reward for all their galleons was an evening with some puffy, middle-aged matron.

Agreed, though. There are certainly uses for such things, but my files confirm your sense of the matter: it's not particularly on the rise.

All well in your shop, then? Any interesting items aside from the ones you've looked at for us? (There's a black market that's causing concern. Feel sure you'll hear more in that regard soon.)