and patients were directed to take it three times a day. Cannabis and opium Opium and cannabis has been used in potions throughout human history. Potions containing cannabis and/or opium were particularly popular in Arabia, Persia and Muslim India after the arrival of the drugs around the ninth century. Cannabis and opium were a common ingredient used in potions and tinctures sold by apothecaries in 19th century Europe, as the ingredients made patients feel better, and the addictive nature of the drug meant it sold well. Nepenthes pharmakon is a famous type of magical potion recorded in Homer's Odyssey, intended to cure sorrow. Pharmakon was the word for medicine in Ancient Greek. The potion was recreated in the 18th century, and contains both the plant nepenthe and opium. See also Alchemy in art and entertainment Asterix Concoction Extract Herbal medicine Herbal tea History of pharmacy Spagyric The Love Potion References External links Poisoning in the Middle Ages Alchemical substances Alternative medicine Fantasy tropes Herbalism Magic substances Poisons Witchcraft