In today’s world, “detox” often means juice cleanses, herbal teas, or wellness supplements. But in the 17th century, detoxification looked drastically different—and far more dangerous. Among the strangest practices of the time was the belief that drinking wine from cups made of toxic materials, such as lead or antimony, could cleanse the body of harmful substances. What we now recognize as a hazardous pseudoscientific trend was once embraced by elites, physicians, and even European royalty.
This peculiar chapter of medical history reflects the intersection of ignorance, tradition, and the human desire to find shortcuts to health. By exploring the context, scientific misconceptions, and lasting influence of this practice, we can understand how easily “detox culture” has shifted throughout history—and why skepticism is crucial even today.
The Medical Landscape of the 17th Century
The 17th century was a transformative period for science, but medicine was still mired in medieval theories. The dominant framework was humoral theory, a concept inherited from ancient Greek and Roman physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen. This theory held that health depended on the balance of four bodily humors:
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Yellow bile
- Black bile
Illness was thought to arise from imbalances of these humors. Treatments were designed not to address specific pathogens—since germ theory was still centuries away—but to “purge” the body of excess or corrupted substances.
“Detoxification,” in this context, was not about flushing toxins as we understand them today, but rather forcing the body to expel what was believed to be harmful fluids. Common methods included bloodletting, vomiting, induced sweating, and purging with powerful laxatives. The use of toxic cups fit perfectly within this paradigm: if a material caused vomiting or severe bowel movements, it was considered medicinal.
The Rise of Poisoned Drinking Vessels
Among the strangest tools of this era were drinking vessels made from toxic metals, especially antimony and sometimes lead.
Antimony Cups
Antimony, a metalloid similar to arsenic, was highly prized in early modern Europe for its supposed medicinal powers. Physicians claimed that when wine was left in an antimony cup overnight, it absorbed “purifying” qualities from the metal. Drinking the wine would then provoke vomiting or diarrhea—an effect that was interpreted not as poisoning, but as proof of the remedy’s effectiveness.
These cups, sometimes called “puking cups,” were widely marketed as health tools. They were even sold in apothecaries, endorsed by prominent physicians, and mentioned in medical texts. While their immediate effects were indeed dramatic, they were nothing more than a controlled form of poisoning.
Lead Vessels
Lead-based drinking vessels were also commonplace, not because people believed lead itself was medicinal, but because it was inexpensive and malleable. Over time, the leaching of lead into wine caused chronic poisoning, leading to neurological damage and gastrointestinal distress—symptoms that many mistook for signs of detoxification.
The Role of Alchemy and Early Science
This bizarre practice did not exist in isolation; it was influenced by the intellectual currents of the time. Alchemy, the precursor to modern chemistry, blurred the lines between science, philosophy, and mysticism. Alchemists believed that metals contained transformative powers that could influence the human body.
Antimony, in particular, fascinated alchemists because it was associated with purification in metallurgical processes: it could separate gold from impurities during smelting. Physicians and alchemists extended this metaphor to human health, reasoning that if antimony could cleanse metal, it might similarly cleanse the body.
In 1604, the German physician Andreas Libavius even defended antimony’s medicinal use in his writings, igniting fierce debates among medical professionals. Some universities banned its use entirely, while others embraced it. This controversy foreshadowed the tension between experimental medicine and unproven theories that persists to this day.
Royal Endorsement and Popularity
The use of toxic cups was not limited to fringe practitioners—it was embraced by European elites.
- Louis XIV of France reportedly used antimony-based remedies throughout his life. His physicians believed these treatments “purged” his system and restored balance.
- In Germany, antimony cups became popular among the aristocracy as both a medical tool and a status symbol.
- Even in England, where skepticism toward Continental medical fads was common, antimony and other purgative treatments gained followers among wealthy households.
This royal patronage lent legitimacy to the practice. If the most powerful figures in Europe trusted poisoned wine to cleanse their bodies, ordinary citizens were unlikely to question it.
The Dangers Behind the “Cure”
We now understand the consequences of this misguided practice:
- Lead poisoning resulted in neurological damage, abdominal pain, anemia, and cognitive impairment. Historians have even speculated that lead exposure contributed to the erratic behavior of some European nobles.
- Antimony poisoning caused violent vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration. In high doses, it could be fatal.
- Chronic exposure left many patients in a weakened state, ironically making them more susceptible to the diseases these “cures” were supposed to prevent.
Yet, these dangers were often overlooked because short-term results—such as induced vomiting—were mistaken for effective cleansing.
The Slow Decline of Toxic Detoxing
By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the rise of the Scientific Revolution began to challenge older medical traditions. The growing influence of empirical observation, coupled with the early development of toxicology, revealed that substances like antimony and lead were not therapeutic but harmful.
The French physician Louis Lémery and others published critical works that linked antimony to poisoning. Over time, safer alternatives such as herbal purgatives replaced metal-based treatments. However, it would take well into the 18th century for such toxic practices to fully disappear, especially in rural areas where traditional medicine persisted.
The Modern Parallels
While it is easy to dismiss 17th-century “poisoned wine detox” as a historical oddity, modern wellness culture is not entirely free from similar pitfalls. Many contemporary “detox” products still lack scientific evidence, relying on anecdotal results, celebrity endorsements, and pseudoscientific jargon.
Whether it’s unregulated supplements or extreme fasting regimens, the same human impulse that once led people to sip wine from antimony cups continues to drive the search for quick health fixes today.
Lessons from History
The story of toxic detoxing in the 17th century is more than a bizarre historical footnote—it is a reminder that:
Medical authority can be wrong. Even royal physicians once recommended poison.
Popular trends can be dangerous. Widespread belief does not equal scientific truth.
Skepticism is healthy. Medical progress depends on questioning tradition and demanding evidence.
Detox culture is persistent. The same flawed reasoning that supported antimony cups survives in modern marketing.
Understanding this history helps us approach contemporary health trends with greater caution and critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did people in the 17th century drink from toxic cups?
They believed that metals like antimony could “purge” the body by inducing vomiting or diarrhea. These effects were mistakenly seen as signs of detoxification.
What was the science behind this practice?
The practice was rooted in humoral theory and alchemical thinking, which emphasized balancing bodily fluids and using substances thought to possess purifying properties.
Did anyone die from using antimony or lead cups?
Yes. While many cases went unrecorded, antimony could be fatal in high doses, and lead caused long-term poisoning that led to chronic illness or early death.
How did this practice eventually end?
As the Scientific Revolution advanced, empirical research and the emergence of toxicology exposed the dangers of antimony and lead, leading to their decline in medical use.
Did royalty really use these cups?
Yes. European elites, including France’s Louis XIV, reportedly used antimony-based remedies, helping to popularize the trend.
Are there modern equivalents to this detox fad?
Yes. While no one drinks poison today, many modern “detox” supplements and cleanses rely on similar pseudoscientific logic and lack evidence of real benefit.
What is the main lesson from this history?
It shows the importance of scientific skepticism and the dangers of blindly trusting authority or tradition in health practices.
Conclusion
The 17th-century ritual of drinking wine from toxic cups reveals the strange, often perilous history of medicine. Rooted in flawed theories and bolstered by social prestige, it highlights how easily dangerous practices can gain legitimacy when endorsed by authority and tradition.Although we now recognize the lethal consequences of antimony and lead, the underlying lesson remains urgent: detoxing should be guided by evidence, not historical superstition or modern hype. Just as early science eventually discredited poisoned wine as a cure, modern medicine continues to battle unproven “detox” fads.History’s poisoned cups serve as a cautionary tale: the desire for quick fixes has always been part of human nature—but so has the capacity to learn from past mistakes.
