Although neither my heroine, nor my hero practice witchcraft, I show several sides of Scottish witchery that my research claimed was alive and well during the early 17th century. Using a character that appeared in my Highland Games Through Time series, I show facets of an old witch I call Dorcas Swann. She is a witch, but uses her knowledge of herbs and potions to remedy problems and make people well. In My Lady Highlander, the first book in the Kilted Athletes Through Time series, Dorcas is mentioned and seen, briefly, because Isobel MacHamish is watching her vendor tent. She spends the beautiful fall days crushing and packaging herbs at the present-day, fictional, New England Highland Games. Izzy has learned from Dorcas many things; about gem stones that fight illness, the properties of packaged herbs, flowers, and bark; the many uses of infusions to create powerful potions. You see, Izzy is from 1603 Scotland, but has been hiding out in the present, thanks to Dorcas.
I scoured herbal books, the internet, and on-line workshops to choose potions to use in this book. After a car crash, where our hero, Bryce ‘Bull’ Buchanan, strikes a deer, Izzy’s need for willow bark, the 17th century version of aspirin, adds to the mixed-up relationship of these two people from different times. When her tent catches fire and her strongbox disappears, she doesn’t find out until later that a nasty little Brownie made off with it, then dumped the money and gem stones because it smelled of witchcraft. When a stalker from her past shows up and threatens Bull, Izzy grabs two potions before they all end up back in ancient Scotland. 
One of the potions is an infusion of hogweed known commonly as cow-cakes. By either name, it is a powerful liquid that burns the skin on contact. The potion comes in handy when the Sinclair laird attacks her, while his mercenaries try to kill Bull.
The other bottle, also hidden in her skirt, contained an infusion of concentrated nettles. Who would believe that the heart-shaped, finely toothed leaves, when crushed and liquefied by a witch, could obtain one’s love? Does she use it on Bull? Hmmm…
Here are some books and links that helped with my research:
The Scots Herbal: Plant Lore of Scotland by Tess Darwin
Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Clare Hanrahan
Wicca & Witchcraft for Dummies by Diane Smith
www.health.yahoo.com 8 commonly used Herbs & Their Healing Properties, by Dr. Maoshing
My Lady Highlander Book Blurb
Isobel MacHamish escaped a betrothal in ancient Scotland. She rebuilt her life in present-day New England, yet something-or someone-is missing. Arson, thievery, a stalker, and a handsome caber-tossing athlete turn her world upside down.
Bryce Buchanan saves a pretty woman-twice. Sent back to ancient Scotland-again-he is trapped between the skittish woman, and a man pressuring her into marriage. Battles, swords, a Scottish brownie, and a power-hungry laird make ‘Bull’ want to head home to New England.
To escape her former lover, and his murderous, father, Izzy finds her inner warrior. And, when the handsome athlete shows her what falling in love can bring, she is torn, because keeping her hands to herself, is one battle she will never win.
More About Nancy Lee Badger
She loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.
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What natural herb, flower, bark, gem stone, mineral, or similar item you could use to protect yourself? Please share. TWO WINNERS will each receive an ebook of MY LADY HIGHLANDER
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Your post was very informative. I also researched potions for a book. good luck with sales.