Some science behind the scenes
Diascordium
In pre-modern medicine diascordium was made from “the dried leaves of scordium, red roses, bole, storax, cinnamon, cassia lignea (coarse bark of Cinnamomum cassia), dittany, tormentil roots, bistort, gentian, galbanum, amber, terra sigillata, opium, long pepper, ginger, mel rosatum, and malmsey.” It was used against “malignant fevers, the plague, worms, colic, to promote sleep, and resist putrefaction.” Culpepper in 1654 said “I know nothing better."