![]() ![]() Wormwood’s scientific name artemisia absinthium is named after the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis. Wormwood’s psychoactive component is thujone, and when taken in large quantities causes hallucinations and potentially seizures. Naturally, witches have been aware of wormwood’s power since before absinthe. Absinthe’s nickname “The Green Fairy” came from its color AND because it caused hallucinations of an actual green fairy. A popular drink in the eighteenth century, absinthe was well-loved by artists worldwide. Absinthe’s “poisonous” ingredient is wormwood, an herb that causes hallucinations when consumed. You have probably heard of the alcoholic drink absinthe. Historically, the herb known as Wormwood has had quite the reputation. Henbane Wormwood: The Poisonous Herb of Artemis To read more about this amazing “poisonous” herb of witches, pay a visit to Blood and Spicebush here. It holds a connection to Demeter and Bellenus and is said to have been smoked to induce visions of the dead. Also a part of the solanaceae family, henbane grows in Europe and Asia and scholars believe it’s been used in sacred ritual since the stone age. Plant in the Devil’s Trumpet family HenbaneĪnother of the most widely-used poisonous herbs is henbane. It indeed has hallucinogenic effects when applied to the skin. Although the oldest of the written flying ointments didn’t mention datura, modern witches work with this intoxicating poison. It has been called the devil’s trumpet because the flowers are shaped like the instrument with little “horns” on the edges of the petals. Datura: The Devil’s Trumpetĭatura, another of the witch’s favorite entheogens, is beautiful and deadly. In Germany, the mandrake is called the alraun and is often kept as a family’s “familiar” in a fancy wooden box. This poison is featured in the Harry Potter book series. In folkloric accounts, this infamous shriek was so powerful it killed anyone who listened to it, unless one took specific protective measures. Mandrake root is oddly shaped like a tiny man and when pulled from the dirt is said to give a startling shriek. The mandrake plant, scientific name mandragora, is another poisonous herb from the solanaceae family historically infused into witches’ flying ointments. ![]() In fact, belladonna is used as a painkiller in emergency rooms across the United States. If you ever take a pharmacology class, you’ll also learn these constituents are professionally extracted from these plants to make pharmaceuticals. These chemical constituents have various effects on the human nervous system including a psychoactive effect. ![]() The solanaceae family of poisonous herbs is composed of alkaloids including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. These three poisons in particular are doused in folklore and have aided the witch in her wiles for centuries. You are responsible for your own health! The Traditional Poisonous Herbs: The Solanaceae Familyįrom historical records and in modern times, witches particularly love using poisonous herbs from the solanaceae family: a few of which include atropa belladonna, mandrake, and datura. Consult a local professional herbalist with questions. We are not encouraging anyone to go out and start handling or consuming poisonous herbs in any facet. This article is for educational purposes only. Let’s look at some of the entheogens historically and intricately linked to witchcraft. In certain doses, witches use poisons to go on spiritual “journeys”. You know the saying, too much of a good thing is a bad thing? With poisons, it’s all about the quantity and handling. Yet if we look closer, the “poisons” utilized by witches in their magical endeavors induced trance, invoked divine visions, and for some gave them the ability to “fly”. Including their use of potions, brews and plants that are deemed poisonous. Written accounts of the Witch Trials in the Dark Ages through the Early Modern Period give us a glimpse into the lives of accused witches and sorcerers. History tells us witches and poisons go together like peas and carrots. ![]()
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