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Re:The Daily Life of a Medieval King by defrost on Monday July 21, 2025 @07:06AM (#44633807)
Quite a few precursors to modern stimulants though, there were many Solanaceae (nightshade) variations in Europe, from harmless through high to deadly. Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) got about the place quite a bit (according to archaeologists at least.

Hemlock and henbane were both used as painkillers and dulling agents .. up to unconsciousness and death, depending on dosage.

Added: Monastery herb gardens often had quite the range, eg: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/ar...

Re:The Daily Life of a Medieval King by VilleO on Monday July 21, 2025 @07:26AM (#44633932)
Also willow bark was chewed as a painkiller because of the acetylsalicylic acid it contains.
Re:The Daily Life of a Medieval King by IAmBroom on Monday July 21, 2025 @08:46AM (#44634477)
Quite powerful, BTW. I've used it while hiking for a headache. Damn thing tastes like it's half-aspirin, bleh... but the headache went away.