Henbane

Latin name: Hyoscyamus NigerGenus: Nightshade family, very poisonous! Apollonia, Cupwort, Sleeping Weed, Toothache Weed. Plant description: 30 to 60 cm high, stems soft-haired and sticky.

Leaves dirty green, ovate. Flowers pale yellow, reticulate, bell-shaped with a jug-shaped calyx. Flowering time: June to October. Origin: Occurs on rubble and garden land. The henbane is closely related to belladonna and thorn-apple, all three plants are dangerously poisonous.

Medicinally used plant parts

Leaves, also the whole herb, more rarely the seeds.

Ingredients

Hyoscyamine, scopolamine and secondary alkaloids.

Healing effect and use of henbane

Hardly used in folk medicine because of its toxicity. The drug is effective against cramps in the gastrointestinal tract, trembling, restlessness and henbane oil is used as an embrocation for rheumatic pain, for example. The drug henbane is not intended to be used for self-treatment, but its toxicity speaks against it.

Application in homeopathy

The mother tincture is made from the freshly flowering plant. As hyoscyamus (D3, D4, D6) the drug acts on the central nervous system, upper airways, bronchi and bladder. The homeopathic drug is available on prescription up to and including D3!

Side effect

Vomiting, dizziness and cramps, there is danger to life if overdosed!