A Witch's Garden: Scopolia

Disclaimer

This is NOT a page about Wiccans or neo-pagans, and I do not advocate the belief that Wiccans are Satan-worshippers and/or baby-killers. I am well aware that they are not. This is a starting point for historical research into the great witch craze of 1100-1700 AD. And please, don't ask me for spells.

Scopolia

Scopolia is a nightshade indigenous to Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the Carpathian Mountains. Its folk medicinal and magical uses are similar to those of Belladonna and Henbane. Scopolia was often misused for poisonings and harmful magic. Since the Middle Ages, it has been an important ingredient in many recipes for Witches' Ointments and love drinks. A popular aphrodisiac, it was often spread over dance floors at rural festivals. According to one folk tradition, any person who dance over it would be filled with desire and amenable to any type of sexual activity. In Romania, scopolia roots were used as substitutes for genuine Mandrake (Rätsch 148).

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A Witch's Garden is copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.