A number to play with supposedly curative powers (7)
I believe the answer is:
nostrum
'with supposedly curative powers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'a number to play' is the wordplay.
'a number' becomes 'no.' (abbreviation for 'number').
'to play' becomes 'strum' (I've seen this before).
'no'+'strum'='NOSTRUM'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nostrum that I've seen before include "Patent medicine of highly questionable value" , "Ineffective medicine" , "Tonic" , "Panacea or cure-all" , "Hypothetical remedy for all ills" .)