Henbane contains substances similar to deadly nightshade or thorn apple. It is related to these plants and also just as poisonous. Consumption is strongly discouraged, although henbane can look back on a long tradition as a medicinal herb.
Henbane is deadly poisonous
The consumption of henbane can lead to symptoms similar to those of deadly nightshade, but usually the focus is on impaired consciousness. Loss of consciousness or anaesthetic-like sleep can also occur, and in severe cases even death. Some people, on the other hand, suffer from fits of crying, the urge to talk, or fits of rage.
Animals poison themselves relatively rarely with henbane. For birds and small mammals such as guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters, however, consumption is very dangerous and can quickly become fatal. About 300 g of the fresh herb is considered a lethal dose for horses.
The henbane in antiquity
Henbane is said to have been known as early as Egypt, in ancient Persia and among the Babylonians. Soothsayers used the herb to put themselves in a trance, and it was a fairly reliable means of poisoning. The Celts also knew the effects of henbane.
The henbane in the Middle Ages
Henbane made it easier to catch fish because it stunned them. The hens fell from the perch in the smoke of the burned cabbage and allowed themselves to be carried away without a fuss. It is said that the traveling people liked to use this method of catching chickens for foreign animals.
In medieval medicine, henbane was used as a painkiller and even as an anesthetic for surgeries. However, it also led to states of intoxication. For this reason, it was often added to beer to enhance the intoxicating effect of the drink. Incidentally, the henbane is said to have given the Pils its name.
Henbane in homeopathy
Black henbane is available as a homeopathic medicine under the name Hyoscyamus niger. The areas of application range from nocturnal coughing fits and asthma to insomnia to behavioral problems and constantly recurring hiccups.
Signs of poisoning by henbane:
- pulse acceleration
- disturbances of consciousness
- unconsciousness
- anesthetic-like sleep
- urge to talk
- fits of rage
- crying fits
- lethal at the right dose
tips
If you want to use the healing properties of henbane, then use Hyoscyamus niger as a homeopathic remedy in low potency.