 Decoctions of hallucinogenic plants such as henbane, belladonna, mandrake, datura, and other plants of the family Solanaceae were central to European witchcraft.All of these plants contain hallucinogenic alkaloids of the tropane family, including hyoscyamine, atropine and scopolamine —the last of which is unique in that it can be absorbed through the skin.These concoctions are described in the literature variously as brews, salves, ointments, philtres, oils, and unguents.