Henbane
Hyoscyamus nigerHenbane, mandrake and the Amazon’s toé carry the same alkaloids. In three regions, each was seen as both a healing and a magic plant.
What is Henbane?
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a plant of the Solanaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: seeds, leaves.
What is Henbane used for?
Traditional use: For toothache, seeds were burned on embers and the smoke drawn into the mouth to “drive out the tooth worm”. Scientific evidence: traditional. It contains tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, today the source of drugs for nausea, cramps and eye exams; but dosing the plant itself is impossible.
Is Henbane safe?
Safety label: high risk. The whole plant is poisonous. It can cause dry mouth, fever, hallucinations, racing heart and death. Poisonings have followed accidental picking and eating.
Traditional use
For toothache, seeds were burned on embers and the smoke drawn into the mouth to “drive out the tooth worm”. People knew it was poisonous.
Named among the ingredients of medieval “witches’ ointments”. In Germany it was added to beer; it is thought to be one reason for the 1516 Beer Purity Law.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Poisonings, including of children, have followed mistaking it for edible wild greens.
Preparation
Not recommended to prepare or use.
What science says
It contains tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, today the source of drugs for nausea, cramps and eye exams; but dosing the plant itself is impossible.
Safety
The whole plant is poisonous. It can cause dry mouth, fever, hallucinations, racing heart and death. Poisonings have followed accidental picking and eating.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Anticholinergic drugs (some allergy, stomach and bladder drugs, tricyclic antidepressants) | Act the same way; poisoning symptoms multiply. |
| Glaucoma medicines | May raise eye pressure. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Henbane.
Culture bridge
The dark side of tropane alkaloids. Henbane, mandrake and toé carry the same poisonous alkaloids. In all three regions they were seen as plants of both healing and magic. Read the comparison →
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchBlack henbane and its toxicity: a descriptive review
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Hyoscyamus niger
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe