Crossword Genius

Remedies powerful Italian family head cut back (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

medicines

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'remedies powerful italian' is the definition.
'medicines' can be an answer for 'remedies' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not certain of the 'powerful italian' bit.

'family head cut back' is the wordplay.
'family' becomes 'medici' (I have seen 'Italian family' mean 'medici' so perhaps 'family' could also mean 'medici').
'head' becomes 'ness' (ness is a headland).
'cut back' means to remove the last letter.
'ness' with its final letter taken off is 'nes'.
'medici'+'nes'='MEDICINES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for medicines that I've seen before include "Remedies" , "Drugs for the strangely dim nieces" , "They treat or alleviate disorders" , "Pharmaceuticals" , "Preparations to treat disease" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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