HALLOWEEN: Witches on broomsticks? Kindergarten lesson? THINK: sex, drugs, sexism, lipidophilic alkaloid extracts, epithelial tissues, etc.

And what is the connection: Where did that come from? Witches’ “brews” Flying on broomsticks

WITCHES' “BREWS”? From ancient Egypt: They were not “brews.” They were ointments for anointing* They were not for drinking. (*anoint: to smear with oil)

Ointments are lipophilic An ointment is prepared by dissolving lipophilic (“fat loving”) substances in an oil solution. Skin, especially non-keratinized epithelium, absorb the fat-soluble molecules (hydrophobic or lipophilic) in ointments. They are then carried into the body. Oil soluble hormones, vitamins, organic bases, etc, can be delivered in this way. Absorption is especially efficient through tissues with specialized apocrine sweat glands associated with pubic hair follicles. Absorption can be enhanced by dilating cutaneous capillaries (rubbing to make red).

Lipophilic Alkaloids Alkaloid definition: physiologically active plant products. Many alkaloids are lipophilic and can be absorbed through the skin. Members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) may produce potent lipophilic alkaloids which are readily soluble in fats. Most notable nightshade alkaloids are the tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine.

Atropine A prominent nightshade family alkaloid (Datura, etc) Inhibits salivation, secretions, dilates pupils. In high doses: hallucinations Used in surgery prep, prevents peristalsis by blocking muscarinic receptors. Dosage: 1 mg. (10 mgs: hallucinations, delirium, coma) Lomotil, treatment of diarrhea, 0.25 mg. Also known as (+)-hyoscyamine or hyoscine

Scopolamine A related nightshade alkaloid: in Henbane, Datura, etc prevents motion sickness (Transdermal SCOP skin patches) Used as a sedative in labor (promotes drowsiness with amnesia [twilight sleep]). Over-the-counter sleep aids. Can produce hallucinations followed by unconsciousness by blocking muscarinic receptors.

HOW WERE WITCH’S OINTMENTS MADE? Baptista Porta was a 16 th century colleague of Galileo. He wrote De Miraculis Rerum Naturalium, (1558) in which he describes the preparation of “magic” ointments. Here is the frontispiece of his book.

Formula for Witch’s ‘Brew’ Porta quote: "[Witches] take boys' fat and boil it in a copper vessel, then strain it... With it they mix eleoselinum, aconite [Monkshood], poplar branches, and soot... or sometimes sium [water parsnip, an umbelliferean], common acorum [a rush-like herb], cinquefoil, the blood of bat, sleep-inducing nightshade, and oil. (from Porta, 1562) Also see

“Flying” Ointment Recipe: Oil or grease extract the lipophilic alkaloids deadly nightshade Atropa belladonna henbane Hyoscyamus (niger?) Jimson weedDatura stramonium (Also known as thorn apple, contains mainly scopolamine.) mandrakeMandragora officinarum

Thorn Apple or Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium)

Datura seedpod (thorn apple)

Application of the ointment “As soon as it is finished [brewing], they anoint the parts of the body, having rubbed them very thoroughly before, rub the body to open the pores, use fat or flowing oil that the force of the juices may descent inward and be more powerful and lifely” Porta, 1558.

Records from the Inquisition: “...[T]he vulgar believe, and the witches confess, that on certain days or nights, they anoint a staff and ride upon it to the appointed place, or anoint themselves underneath the arms and in other hairy places...” Lewis, Medical Botany, Wiley, (1977) p. 420 “Anointing,” stemming from the Egyptians, became an integral part of Judeo-Christian tradition.

A broom stick was used to apply ointment salves to the non- keratinized tissues… namely vaginal mucous membranes.

A prominent hallucinogenic effect of the ointment was the sensation of flying. Also, visions of flying demons, seen in the upper portion of the picture.

Historic images of witches on broomsticks

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