Witch hazel is a popular plant known for its numerous medicinal and cosmetic uses. It has a long history dating back to ancient times and has been used by various cultures for different purposes. The origins of witch hazel can be traced back to North America, specifically the eastern region of the United States. Native Americans were the first to discover the beneficial properties of witch hazel. They used various parts of the plant for medicinal purposes, such as treating inflammation, wounds, and skin conditions. The plant's bark, leaves, and twigs were boiled to create a decoction, which was then applied topically to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
The plant's bark, leaves, and twigs were boiled to create a decoction, which was then applied topically to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. When European settlers arrived in North America, they learned about the medicinal properties of witch hazel from the Native Americans. They quickly adopted the plant and began using it for similar purposes.
On Psychedelics and Bad PR: How Witches Got Their Pointy Hats
Look for images of witches this time of year and, though there are a sprinkling of sleekly glamorous ones—perhaps Melisandre from Game of Thrones—the vast majority are hook-nosed, humpbacked, bewhiskered crones. It’s depressing and also feels like cultural ageism and even a misogynous slur. As it happens, historical gastronomist Sarah Lohman has plenty to say about that, as well as all things witchy and Halloween.
Sarah grew up in Ohio where her first job, at 16, was at a living history museum. Assigned to the kitchen where they only used wood-burning fire and cooked with ingredients available way back when, Sarah became fascinated with historical food. Since then she’s hosted Colonial dinners, done events and a podcast with The Masters of Social Gastronomy and written the bestselling Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine . Interestingly enough, Sarah said almost everything about witches and their portrayal can be traced back to food.
Take the main elements of witchiness: the hat, the cat, and the broom. In the Middle Ages, alewives were often women who stirred their water, malt, yeast and hops in the yard. And the tools of their trade? A cauldron big enough to hold their ingredients, a cat to keep away rats, and a broomstick to hang outside the door when the beer was done. These enterprising women even wore tall peaked hats so the crowds at the market could see where they sold their wares. Now enter the first brewers’ guild: a men-only association which framed these women as ugly, poison-peddling, and dangerous; a marketing gambit that happened to stick like a burr.
Speaking of witches, the Salem witch trials were supposed to be the result of a rash of hysteria amongst young girls. As Sarah Lohman says, we are often told “they were teenagers who wanted attention and all these other tropes about women that are now kind of tired.” Over the years, anthropologists have also put the accusations down to the politics, the place, and the times, but others have cited something more visceral, real, and misunderstood. Anthropologist Linda Caporael has made a strong case for ergotism as a possible cause. Ergot, a black fungus that grows on grains such as rye, has LSD-like properties. Ingesting ergot can cause hallucinations, convulsions, and a prickling pinching sensation from vascular constriction, severe enough to cause gangrene. Caporael studied weather records of the time as well as the land composition around Salem. The wettest, lowest farms in the area also happened to be owned by families with only daughters, the ones who were accused. And, to make the case even more compelling, in 1691 there was a long hot summer after an astronomical amount of rain, perfect ergot conditions, and the witch-possessions occurred only after the harvest. Children and pregnant women were generally the most susceptible, and the ergot would have had just enough time to build up in their systems and cause the havoc that ended up being so fatally misunderstood. It’s a circumstantial idea, but also one that is as credible as mass female hysteria. Who knew? Sometimes life altering events can come down to the unlikeliest things: smear campaigns and agricultural flukes.
For more of Sarah’s fascinating culinary sleuth-work and recipes (make your own candy corn!) take one of her Zoom classes at the Brooklyn Brainery or pick up her latest book.
In the 19th century, witch hazel became widely known for its astringent properties, which made it popular as a facial toner and cleanser. Its ability to tighten and constrict tissues made it an effective remedy for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and hemorrhoids. The name "witch hazel" itself has an interesting origin. Some believe it comes from the Middle English word "wych," which means "bendable" or "pliable." This is a reference to the flexibility of the plant's branches. Others believe it comes from the Old English word "wice," which means "pliant" or "bendable." In both cases, the name reflects the physical characteristics of the plant. Today, witch hazel is widely cultivated for commercial use. The plant is harvested for its leaves, bark, and twigs, which are then steam-distilled to extract the beneficial compounds. Witch hazel extract is a common ingredient in various skincare products, such as toners, cleansers, and ointments. In conclusion, witch hazel has a long history and originated from North America. Native Americans were the first to discover its medicinal properties, and it was later adopted by European settlers. The plant's astringent properties made it popular as a skincare remedy, leading to its cultivation and use in commercial products today..
Reviews for "The Impact of the Inquisition: Exploring its Role in Witch Hunts"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Where did witch ha6s come from" but unfortunately, I found it incredibly confusing and difficult to follow. The storytelling was disjointed and the plot seemed to jump all over the place, making it hard to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Additionally, the writing style was quite dense and verbose, which made it even more challenging to engage with the story. Overall, I was left disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. Emily - 1 star - I did not enjoy "Where did witch ha6s come from" at all. The characters were one-dimensional and unlikeable, and it was hard to feel invested in their journey. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of tedious descriptions and then sudden bursts of action that felt forced and unnatural. The concept of the book had potential, but the execution fell flat for me. I struggled to stay engaged and ended up feeling relieved when I finally finished it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Where did witch ha6s come from" left me feeling underwhelmed and frustrated. The prose was overly flowery and self-indulgent, making it difficult to discern what was actually happening in the story. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their writing skills than on creating a cohesive and engaging narrative. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, I found this book to be pretentious and prettily written without any substance or depth.