Printer ink will make you high

Well woad you believe it?

By Kieren McCarthy • Get more from this author

Posted in Letters, 13th October 2000 16:37 GMT

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[The letter that sparked the controversy, well, the small debate]

They seem to be brushing over the fact that woad is a hallucinogenic and you are no longer allowed use it as a body paint. The reason the early Celts used it was it turned them into raving lunatics before a battle. Not particularly hard thing to do really...

Karl

Interesting article. It will be something to keep an eye on.

However, I thought I would point out that while it is a persistent myth, there is no scientific proof of woad having any hallucinogenic properties with regards to humans. The celts and picts used woad mixed with urine to paint before battle. The purpose of this was twofold, often powerful religious symbols would be painted to protect the wearer in battle, and to terrify opponents. They would spike up their hair with lime as well. Makes for one icky concoction, no?

Thanks for the good articles. Keep it coming!

Cheers,
Chris Hall

... and that makes you Queen Boadicaea? (spelling?). [We reckon Boudicca or Boadicea]
Still, it all sounds very environmentally PC for PCs.

David

Darn, I can't find the articles. You might want to do a Deja search on rec.org.sca or one of the natural-dyestuffs newsgroups. It's a popular misconception, but woad has no hallucinogenic properties whatsoever.

Another concerned reader.

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