- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia, Africa (north)
- Sanskrit
- Yavani
Europe · Herb · № 513
Hyoscyamus niger
Herb · Europe
Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Highly poisonous. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Highly poisonous. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
Henbane contains hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Dioscorides described it as a sleeping and pain remedy, and in the Middle Ages it was used in soporific sponges for operations and in witches' ointments. Germanic brewers added it to beer until the Reinheitsgebot of 1516 forbade this. In Unani medicine it is called ajwain khurasani. Sanskrit name: Yavani.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils; for mania and agitation, epileptic mania, dementia with insomnia, Parkinson's tremor, convulsions, nerve pain, palpitations, spasmodic cough, asthma, hiccups, cystitis, hysteria.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tincture, powder, juice, extract.
Caution: Highly poisonous. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- TincturePowder and kitchen