It was probably Poppy's association with the Gods of the Underworld that gave rise to a charm for invisibility.
After all, Hades' had worn a cap that rendered him invisible when he abducted Persephone.
It has been proposed that his cap was an allusion to this magical herb.
At any rate, an invisibility potion could be prepared by steeping Poppy seeds in wine for 15 days.
Thereafter a glassful of the brew should be taken for five consecutive days whilst fasting. This was said to make the person invisible at will.
Poppy seeds were also considered a magical aid against Daemons.
If one was unfortunate enough to be pursued by such nasty creatures one could throw a handful of seeds in their path.
This would distract the daemons from their aim as they would feel compelled to stop and count the seeds.
This charm was even believed to ward off vampires who were sometimes thought to violate fresh graves.
If Poppy seeds were put into the coffin with the dead person's body any preying vampires also lost their purpose for the same reason.
The Doctrine of Signatures consigned Poppy as a herb of Saturn and deemed its qualities either cold and moist as in the case of white Poppies, or cool and dry for black Poppies.
Thus they were regarded as an antidote for St. Anthony's fire (antipathetic), and as a remedy for melancholy (sympathetic).
Of course Poppy was also associated with various witches brews and it has been speculated that Opium was one of the integral parts of the infamous Witche's Flying Ointment.
Since no authentic written recipe for this salve exists the hypothesis is hard to verify.
However, taking into account the tales of people who claimed to have used the ointment and considering the properties of Opium, it is more than likely that it was indeed an important ingredient.
Other magical uses associated with witchcraft and magic during the Middle Ages include the use of Poppy leaves and petals, as well as raw Opium as an incense ingredient for rituals of divination as well as using Poppy potions in connection with orgiastic rites and sex magic.
Given such associations, it is perhaps surprising that Poppies even became absorbed into Christian symbolism.
However, this is a typical development - many magically potent herbs that had long been associated with the old Gods eventually became 'christianized' by associating them with Christian Saints and symbols.
Thus, the red petals of the Poppy and the cross-formation on the top of the seed capsule were regarded as a symbol of the Passion and the Eucharists saw a symbol of the savior in the combination of Wheat and Poppies - the wheat representing the body of Christ, whilst the red petals of the Poppies were seen as his blood.
Meanwhile, the Arabs had spread Poppies and the knowledge of its uses in the East during their Asian crusades.
Since the 11th century it was cultivated in many parts of Asia.
As in Europe, they were much appreciated for their medicinal usefulness, though the Orientals seemed to be particularly fond of Opium's aphrodisiac effect.
In India Poppies naturally became associated with Shiva, the shaman god of ecstasy and inner vision.
Sadhus sometimes mixed the leaves with those of Shiva's other sacred plants, Cannabis and Datura.
Opium is also thought to have played an important role as ritual drug in the practice of Tantra.
It was soon absorbed into the Ajurvedic healing system and Indian doctors praised the aphrodisiac properties of the herb.
The part of the Ayurveda that deals with potions and remedies for the reproductive system declares Opium as an effective tonic that could prolong erection and delay ejaculation whilst enhancing sensual pleasure.
The aphrodisiac effect of Opium is said to be stronger when it is eaten rather than smoked.
A certain preparation known as 'Oriental Happiness Pills', gained some fame in this respect. Sometimes known as 'Nepenthe', these pills were said to contain powdered tops of Cannabis, Opium, Arecanut, sugar and spices.[Rätsch]
