Herbs Used In Medieval Witchcraft

The subject of witchcraft (where herbs are concerned) has always fascinated me, so I've done some research. Much of the knowledge of the herbs used by "witches" in medieval times is borrowed from the texts of Spanish Inquisitors and other witch hunters. However, as they believed any herb or oil belonging to a person in question was demonic, the information available is not entirely without prejudice. Still, it is commonly believed that witches, while using everyday common herbs still available in the modern world, frequently used nightshades.

 

Nightshades (Solanaceae) are a family of flowering vines, shrubs, trees, medicinal plants, and crops that grow worldwide. There are approximately 2,700 species of nightshades. Many of these plants contain potent alkaloids, some being extremely toxic. However, some are safe enough to eat as food. Bell and chili peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes are examples of edible nightshades. Spices that originate from nightshades, such as chili pepper, are also nightshades. Certain individual members of the nightshade family are psychotropic and, in the modern world, used to adjust brain chemicals to treat disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and mood. Certain nightshades are used as stimulants and need to be closely monitored. 

 

While not all of the plants in the following list are psychotropic, they are all known to have been used during medieval times and, therefore, likely to be used by witches. In medieval times, people believed witches used them to cause hallucinations or poisoning. 

 

• Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium), also known as Thorn Apple and Devil's Snare, treated various ailments. In the STARZ series, Outlander, Claire offers ground Thorn Apple to smoke to calm her friend's asthma as it is a narcotic that has a numbing effect. People often added Jimson weed seeds to beer to heighten the impact of the alcohol. Jimson weed can also be chewed or used to make tea from the leaves. However, this plant can cause intense visions, be severely toxic, drive an individual insane, and even cause death. Witches were accused of using Thorn Apple to mislead others, sap their wills, and manipulate others since an individual would forget what took place once the effect wore off. 

 

• Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a member of the Solanaceae family known for magical power and the ability to cause visions. Henbane's flowers and leaves were used in surgeries as sedatives and anesthetics. Depending on the herb's use, it could cause distorted sight and hearing, numbness, and nonexistent smells and tastes. Henbane was used in Europe as a means of torture.

 

• Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a root that resembles the human form. It was so powerful and sought out so often that it nearly became extinct in the medieval period. Mandrake was a popular root used in love potions as it made an individual feel good but would drive them insane. It was often extracted in wine, making it much more appealing. Anyone caught with this root in their possession would doubtfully survive a witch-hunt. 

 

• In ancient times, Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) was used to dilate the pupil, which was thought to make a woman more beautiful. Blurred vision and blindness were side effects. Belladonna is a sedative that makes someone feel like they are in a dream state. However, it can become toxic and cause death. This plant was customarily added to "flying ointment" (see directly below) and thought to help witches shapeshift into animals, such as birds and cats. 

 

• Flying Ointment was an ointment brewed by witches to help them fly, not as in brooms, but in getting "high". The ointment was a salve made from nightshade plants, such as Belladonna, Henbane, Jimson Weed, and Mandrake, simmered in pork or goose fat (some say a baby's fat). It may have contained other substances, such as Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) or Agaric, a mushroom-looking fungus that grows in birch and pine forests. It's said witches even added Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Poppy (Papaver somniferum) to the potion from time to time. Of course, any herbs and spices used were based on availability according to the seasons, geographical location, and one's financial status. Witches flying ointment was rubbed on the sensitive parts of the skin (temples, the insides of the forearms, the genital area) for best absorption, much like hormonal creams are used today. Applying the salve in these areas kept them from absorbing plant chemicals through sweat ducts and reduced the chance of poisoning. Witches also spread flying ointment on an object to make "riding" easier. This object might be a broom, a basket, or a carpet (likely set with intention). Then, one rode out the "high" and, while doing so, made contact with the dead or shapeshifted into an animal form. At least, that was the intention. 

 

These plants are no longer the norm for making potions today as they are far too dangerous. For example, Poison Hemlock, which grows proliferous in the United States, causes severe poisoning and even death after ingesting any plant part. Just rubbing up against it with bare skin can cause severe blistering, which is why clever witches now use more "suitable" herbs to cast spells. 

 

Note: Most people accused of witchcraft in medieval times were not witches, but those who knew a bit about herbalism and paid a high price for knowing. Witch hunters determined punishments and sentences for anyone who had a claim against them for magically using herbs. On the other hand, practicing herbalists who were not doctors but known for their expertise in healing matters were often referred to as empirics. Empirics were monks, nuns, mothers, and daughters of doctors who played a role in helping to heal those who could not afford a doctor or surgeon or lived in rural areas or the country. Their healing methods were often handed down by word of mouth and found acceptable.