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20 Bizarre Beliefs Europeans Had During the Enlightenment

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19. The Healing Power of Unicorn Horns

19. The Healing Power of Unicorn Horns
“In a magical twilight, a majestic unicorn gracefully prances on a shimmering rainbow, leaving trails of stardust in its wake.” | Image from en.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

During the Enlightenment, apothecaries sold powdered “unicorn horn”—usually narwhal tusk—as a powerful antidote against poison and disease. These rare “remedies” commanded enormous prices, as many believed in their magical healing abilities. The myth of the unicorn’s horn persisted long after science questioned its existence. Find more details about this curious trade here.

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