From potion to prescription: how witches’ herbs became medical marvels

Dipa Kamdar

doi:10.64628/AB.eamppccpu

From potion to prescription: how witches’ herbs became medical marvels

Dipa Kamdar

Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care & Education

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

As Halloween approaches, stories of witches and their potions resurface, often featuring eerie plants like belladonna, mandrake and mugwort. These botanicals, steeped in myth and folklore, have long been linked to spells and sorcery. Yet behind their spooky reputations lies a fascinating pharmacological history, and in some cases, ongoing medical relevance.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
Publisher	The Conversation Trust (UK) Limited
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.eamppccpu
Publication status	Published - 29 Oct 2025

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10.64628/AB.eamppccpuLicence: CC BY-ND

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AB - As Halloween approaches, stories of witches and their potions resurface, often featuring eerie plants like belladonna, mandrake and mugwort. These botanicals, steeped in myth and folklore, have long been linked to spells and sorcery. Yet behind their spooky reputations lies a fascinating pharmacological history, and in some cases, ongoing medical relevance.

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From potion to prescription: how witches’ herbs became medical marvels

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