Witches or wise women?
Having seemingly super-natural powers could get you condemned as a ‘witch’. But, viewing these historical characters with a modern, less superstitious eye, we can see the practices of some really wise women who truly knew their herbs.
Modern understanding
We recognise that our body absorbs the food we consume, ingesting, digesting, dispersing and disposing as required, nourishing us as it does this. We’ve come to realise that, similarly, our skin responds to the products we feed it and we can nourish our skin through the ingredients and products we apply.
What we’re not sure about is the extent that skin absorbs products. Highest claims say 70% of what goes onto our skin goes into our bodies – that’s probably an over estimation. While the amount of product (or skin food) absorbed may be less, it is taken in directly without intervening enzymes and acids reacting and digesting (as happens with the food we eat), so the impact could be greater. There’s much more to understand about this.
Old knowledge
In seeking empirical, scientific proof we sometimes confuse ourselves and it can seem like we’ve taken our understanding backwards. In many ways our ancestors had a better appreciation of skin and it’s various qualities than we do today with all our supporting technology.
The nourishing abilities of skin is such an example. Instinctively it was understood that substances applied to the skin would be drawn in for good effect. Much folk medicine makes use of poultices that bind substances to the skin for this purpose.
Our modern misconceptions are apt to dismiss ancient practices as quackery or sorcery. While its right to treat all formulations with caution – whether created today or at a forgotten time in the past – it’s good to look for the method rather than the madness in old approaches. You never know, we could learn something.
Flying or lying?
So should we be suspicious of witches flying on broomsticks? Is it magic?
What seems like an improbable bit of sorcery was actually likely to have been a judicious application of herbal knowledge along with a true appreciation of the nourishing power of skin. Plus a bit of artistic licence.
Wise women desiring release could fuel their imagination by concocting hallucinogenic plant substances into ointments to rub on their broomsticks. These would take effect when absorbed through permeable skin, especially in delicate areas accessed by sitting astride.
While I wouldn’t recommend trying this – it really could be a deathly combination – a typical concoction could include caper surge sap, needed for it’s caustic properties to ensure the other ingredients are delivered quickly into the skin, accompanied by deadly nightshade and henbane, both hallucinogenic, and aconite which is narcotic. It’s possible the impact of these herbs on the system would give a sensation akin to flying. Blending these with goose grease would make it easy to apply and shows a definite understanding of the nourishing and absorbing properties of skin.
Herbs and skin: a powerful combination
Vital Skincare looks at how herbs can be used to support our skin’s natural systems. It’s a common sense application of modern understanding to traditional knowledge. Which can sometimes lead to improvements that feel magical.
If you’re looking for something super-natural this halloween, pick a recipe from these blog pages and give your skin a magical treat.
