When he didn't want her, a stick or a charmer was used, in more serious cases the love stone helped. When he wanted her too much, an extract of wormwood, comfrey and anise, slightly sharpened with brandy, was slipped to the young man. The marriage recipes were simple at first glance and apparently very effective, judging by the punishments of those who secretly engaged in witchcraft alchemy. Even three hundred years ago, association with unclean forces and possession by the devil meant being sen...