Apothecary Table

Coca Cola

Made by a pharmacist in 1886 as a non-alcoholic version (Prohibition era) of European "French Wine Coca" (a popular coca leaf and wine tonic

Apothecary

When medicine and healthcare was less regulated and standardized. The healthcare hubs of their communities, providing medical advice, preparing and dispensing herbal remedies, and sometimes even performing surgeries

Pharmacy

Fueled by the rapid advancements in chemistry and medicine in 19th and 20th centuries

Coca

Erythroxylum coca. Active compound: Cocaine. Native to northwestern S. America. Used as tea for altitude sickness. Used in Coca Cola from 1885 until 1903, then switched to decocainized leaf extract

Cola/Kola nut

Cola acuminata. Active compound: Caffeine. Indigenous to West Africa. Came to America as part of the Slave Trade. 2-3% caffeine, extracted for Coke. Chewed raw to combat fatigue and increase alertness, improve digestion

Wolfsbane

Aconitum columbianum. Active compound: Aconitine. Grows in western N. America. Few drops commonly used for fever. 10 cm root + 1 L spirit/brandy → Adults 1-6 drops, Children 1-2 drops

Belladonna

Atropa belladonna. Active compound: Atropine. Historically used by women to dilate their pupils for beauty/allure. Lasting effect of 7-14 days. Modern optometries now use other short-lived mydriatic compounds such as tropicamide

Jimsonweed/Thorn apple

Datura stramonium. Active compound: Atropine. Common weed. British soldiers fighting in Jamestown VA accidentally ate and hallucinated. Used in Voodoo potions. In India, it is burned and smoke inhaled to treat asthma