[3] Boticas has its origins in the Roman civitas Batocas, that was the centre of mining, and its Termas de Carvalhelhos, thermal springs with (supposedly) rejuvenating miracle waters.

The first use of the name Barroso came from lineage of the Guedeões (taken from a tower in the locality of Sipiões), whose progeny would adopt and permeate the lands of Botica.

[3] It is part of the group of municipalities referred to as the Alto Tâmega, integrated into the legendary "Region of the Barroso", that is constituted by a compact mass of highlands, accented topography, peaks and sierras separated by large depressions.

[3] Administratively, the municipality is divided into 10 civil parishes (freguesias):[8] Boticas is known for vinho dos mortos (English: wine of the dead).

During the invasion of the French army between 1807 and 1809 the inhabitants buried their locally produced wine in the sandy soil rather than let it fall into the hands of the enemy.

[9] Initially fearing that the wine had spoiled, the locals found the low temperatures and darkness seemed to concentrate the flavors and improve the taste.

The practice of burying them for about two years it still routine and the wine is sold under the title of Vinho Regional Transmontano with the label of Armindo Sousa Pereira.