nightshade The poisonous nature of the various nightshade plants is reflected in the superstitions concerning them. Alleged to be a favourite ingredient of witches' spells, deadly nightshade was, in former times, consumed in small quantities by those wishing to see into the future; too large a dose, of course, could induce madness and even prove fatal. It was also said to be an ingredient in the mysterious flying ointment with which witches smeared on their bodies in order to acquire the power of flight. Sprigs of woody nightshade festooned about the person or around the home will, however, keep evil spirits away and may also be used to protect livestock from the threat of witchcraft and disease.
-taken from Dictionary of Superstitions by David Pickering, 1995
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