Suppression
Henbane
Category: Medicines - plant based
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
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Henbane, or stinking nightshade - particularly niger but also other spp. Hyoscyamus is a small genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae.
The larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth eat henbane.
The eleven species it contains are known generally as the henbanes. Only Hyoscyamus Niger is known to contain tropane alkaloids. Examples include:
- Hyoscyamus albus – White Henbane
- Hyoscyamus aureus. – Golden Henbane
- Hyoscyamus muticus – Egyptian Henbane
- Hyoscyamus niger – Black Henbane , known to contain scopolamine, [atropine], and hyoscyamine
- Hyoscyamus pusillus
- Hyoscyamus reticulatus
Henbane originated in Eurasia though it is now globally distributed.
Background
Henbane was historically used in combination with other plants, such as mandrake, deadly nightshade, and datura as an 'anaesthetic potion', as well as for its psychoactive properties in "magic brews.”
These psychoactive properties include visual hallucinations and 'a sensation of flight' [out of body experiences]. Its usage was originally in continental Europe and Asia, though it did spread to England sometime during the Middle Ages. The use of Henbane by the ancient Greeks was documented by Pliny. The plant, recorded as Herba Apollinaris, was used to yield oracles by the priestesses of Apollo.
Henbane can thus be toxic. Its name came from Anglo-Saxon hennbana = "killer of hens". Hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and other tropane alkaloids have been found in the foliage and seeds of the plant. Common effects of henbane use in humans apart from the out of body experiences include, dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin.
It was traditionally used in German beers as a flavouring, until the Bavarian Purity Law was passed in 1516 and outlawed the use of Henbane and allowed only the use of hops. The presence of henbane could account for quite a number of Medieval ‘visions’ and experiences in Germany including those amongst the priests and monks, as beer was drunk by the clergy.
Medicinal uses
Apart from the obviously stress relieving ability of being able to fly without having to use an airplane and airports [I jest], henbane has some rather specific uses.
more later
Related observations
Healing observations
- Black henbane and its toxicity - a descriptive review 020069
- Dr Duke's list of Plants Containing HYOSCYAMINE 020084
- Dr Duke's list of Plants containing SCOPOLAMINE 020068
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antiarteriosclerotic activity 018345
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antiarthritic activity 018346
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antibradycardic Activity 018356
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antibrucellosic activity 018358
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Anticancer (kidney) activity 018460
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antidote (Black Widow) Activity 020082
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antidote (Tetrodotoxin) Activity 020083
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with AntiPolio activity 018299
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antiuveitic Activity 018417
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Mydriatic Activity 020081
- Wilson, William Griffiths – The spiritual experience that helped him become teetotal 024493
Hallucination
- Black henbane and its toxicity - a descriptive review 020069
- Henbane (Hyoscyamus reticulatus) poisoning in children in the Negev 020085