Toadstones

"Toadstones"
Toadstones are smooth, slightly flattened spherical stones or gems thought to be found in the heads of certain toads. They range in color from whitish brown through green to black. They are thought to cure or prevent poisonings.


Sweet are the uses of adversity;
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

Shakespeare's As You Like It (1599), in Act 2, Scene 1, lines 12 through 14:

Mechanics & Inner Workings

When placed against the skin, the toadstone neutralizes and cures the person of any poison or venomous bite.

Manufacturing process

The toadstone has to be removed from a very old toad while it was still alive. By placing the toad on a red cloth, the toad would be still and allow the extraction.

Significance

People believed that since the toad had poison glands in its skin, it would also have it's own antidote. This occurs in form of a magical stone in the toad’s head. The toadstones are often set into rings and amulets in order to ward off or cure poison.

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable

Rarity

Very Rare

Tools

Dissecting Kit