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As Halloween brews up once again, talk of witches, cauldrons, and bubbling potions fills the air, but according to science, some of those legendary witch’s ingredients actually work.
It turns out that many of the eerie herbs and roots found in classic spellbooks weren’t just fantasy. Behind their mystical reputations lies real pharmacological history, and in some cases, continuing medical relevance.
Dipa Kamdar, a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, has lifted the lid on some of these spellbinding ingredients in The Conversation, revealing how witchy favourites such as belladonna, mandrake, and mugwort have long-standing connections to real-world medicine.
Kamdar explains: “Behind their spooky reputations lies a fascinating pharmacological history, and in some cases, ongoing medical relevance. As we stir our cauldrons this Halloween, it is worth remembering that the real magic of belladonna, mandrake and mugwort lies not in superstition, but in science.”
Belladonna – The Deadly Beauty
Known as deadly nightshade, belladonna’s name comes from the Italian for “beautiful woman.” It earned a terrifying reputation in folklore as a poison used by witches and assassins alike, but it also became a powerful ingredient in traditional medicine.
Extracts from belladonna contain atropine, which has been used for centuries to dilate pupils and ease muscle spasms. Today, atropine is still used in hospitals to treat certain heart conditions and to reduce saliva during surgery. So while it’s deadly in large doses, this “witch’s poison” continues to save lives under careful medical control.
Mandrake – The Scream of the Root
The mandrake root is one of the most iconic plants in witchcraft, said to scream when pulled from the ground, a myth immortalised in the Harry Potter series. But the root’s reputation isn’t entirely fiction.
Mandrake contains alkaloids with sedative and pain-relieving properties. In ancient times, it was used as a natural anaesthetic and even an aphrodisiac. Though it’s highly toxic if used incorrectly, compounds from the mandrake family have helped inspire modern sedatives and surgical anaesthetics.
Mugwort – The Dream Herb
A common ingredient in folklore and ancient medicine, mugwort was said to protect against evil spirits, promote vivid dreams, and even grant prophetic visions.
Today, mugwort has found renewed interest among herbalists for its potential benefits in digestion and menstrual relief. Some studies suggest it may help stimulate circulation and relax muscles, though experts warn it should only be used safely and in moderation.
While these herbs may conjure images of bubbling cauldrons and broomsticks, Kamdar reminds us that witches of the past were often the world’s first pharmacists, using plants to heal long before modern laboratories existed.
“Much of modern medicine stems from our understanding of plants and natural compounds,” she adds. “Witches and herbal healers were often unfairly persecuted for practising what we now recognise as early pharmacy.”
So this Halloween, if you find yourself mixing up a “potion” in the kitchen, perhaps a chamomile tea for sleep or a peppermint brew for digestion, you might be channelling a bit of authentic witchcraft after all.
As Kamdar puts it: “The real magic isn’t in the spells, it’s in the science.”
