Many types of horns were sold as unicorn horns, which were highly sought-after as a defence against poison. One of many references is Ctesias's reports on the unicorn (or perhaps the rhinoceros) in India: - Those who drink out of cups made from [the horn] are proof against convulsions, epilepsy, and even poison, provided that before or after having taken it they drink some wine or water or other liquid out of these cups.[2]
The ability of unicorn horns to neutralize poison has been touted since the time of Aristotle.[3] The English ambassador to the French court was treated in 1596 with medicine containing "musk, amber, gold, pearl and unicorn’s horn", the efficacy of the ingredients being directly related to their rarity and expense.[4]
-from animals.y2u.co.uk
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