Henbane
Parts Usually Used
Seeds, leaves
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Henbane is a biennial plant; the brown, spindle-shaped rootstock produces, in the second year, a dirty-green stem covered with sticky hairs and bearing alternate, sticky oblong-lanceolate, sessile leaves. The funnel-shaped flowers are dull yellow or beige, with purple veins and bases, and grow in one-sided, leafy spikes from July to September. The plant has a fetid odor.
Where Found
Found growing in dry, sandy soils, waste grounds and gravelyards and around the foundations of neglected houses in northern states of the United States, and in Canada and Europe.
Medicinal Properties
Anodyne, antispasmodic, calmative, narcotic, analgesic, diuretic, hypnotic
Biochemical Information
Alkaloids including hyoscyamin and atropine, tannin, choline, traces of essential oil. Contains the narcotics hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which are used as pain killers and to induce sleep. Deadly poison without medical supervision.
Legends, Myths and Stories
Once upon a time, henbane was believed to have aphrodisiac properties and was a main ingredient in love potions. Hamlet’s father was murdered by pouring a distillation of henbane in his ear (perhaps he had complained of earache). Henbane has figured prominently in literature and folklore throughout the ages as a poisonous narcotic similar to belladonna and datura. Therefore, no formulas are attached.
Uses
Historically, henbane was employed primarily in external applications due to its toxicity. An oil derived from the leaves was formulated into lotions intended to ease earache and rheumatism, as well as applied topically to sores and gout. In traditional practice, decoctions or tinctures were occasionally administered internally with the aim of alleviating pain, inducing sleep, reducing perspiration, and addressing nervousness, irritability, coughs, asthma, colitis, and bladder irritation.
Warning
The whole plant is poisonous. Children have been poisoned by eating the seeds or seed pods. Considered very dangerous when taken internally. Use only under medical supervision.
Bibliography
The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Chinese Medicinal Herbs , compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992).