Medieval seditives?

Question

I am writing a novel, and wanting to be historically accurate I was wondering what could have been used in the 14th century as a powerful seditive? Something similar to laudinum (which was only known in the 16th century) Can anyone help???

Answer 1

Pick up a book on herbs. You want old world herbs (those native to Europe and the Mediterranean). You are right in that opium and laudanum weren't readily available. I think alcohol would have been the most widely used.

Just checked my own bookshelf and here's a starting point.

Hops. An oil made from the seeds of the hop vine is a reputable sedative as old as beer. Might be why they use hops in beer.

Lycopus virginicus or bugleweed (a mint) has sedative qualities in an infusion form.

Chamomile. Mild sedative tea (very mild).

Valeriana officinalis or valerian is a nerve-soothing and calmative drug, but must be taken under doctor's orders. Dates back to Rome where it was known as a heal-all.

Horse balm, jimson weed, white hellebore, and yellow jasmine are also mentioned.

That should give you enough to get started.

Answer 2

Belladonna has been used for centuries as a sedative and poision.

In short: "Belladonna has also been used since ancient times as a poison and as a sedative; in medieval Europe large doses were used by witchcraft and devil-worship cults to produce hallucinogenic effects."

Full Encyclopedia entry: "Belladonna or deadly nightshade, poisonous perennial plant, Atropa belladona, of the nightshade family. Native to Europe and now grown in the United States, the plant has reddish, bell-shaped flowers and shiny black berries. Extracts of its leaves and fleshy roots act to dilate the pupils of the eye and were once used cosmetically by women to achieve this effect. (The name belladonna is from the Italian meaning "beautiful lady." ) The plant extract contains the alkaloids atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. Belladonna has also been used since ancient times as a poison and as a sedative; in medieval Europe large doses were used by witchcraft and devil-worship cults to produce hallucinogenic effects. Other species of the potato family such as henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), and Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) also contain one or more of the alkaloids present in belladona. The active substances act physiologically to depress the parasympathetic nervous system. Belladonna is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Solanales, family Solanaceae."

Answer 3

Hops was used as a sedative in the 14th century. It is a flower.

Answer 4

opium