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.
Side by side
| Henbane | Toé | |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Hyoscyamus niger | Brugmansia suaveolens, B. arborea ve diğerleri |
| Family | Solanaceae | Solanaceae |
| Region | Anatolia and the Mediterranean | Amazon, Andes |
| Part used | Seeds, leaves | Leaves, flowers |
| Use | Poisonous, Ritual and shamanic, Incense and protection | Ritual and shamanic, Poisonous |
| Scientific evidence | Traditional | Traditional |
| Safety | High risk | High risk |
| Legal status in Türkiye | No specific restriction | No specific restriction |
Henbane
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.
Science: 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.
Toé
Some Amazonian healers add toé to ayahuasca for divination and diagnosis; many others consider even that too dangerous.
The leaves are wrapped around rheumatic joints and swellings.
Science: Contains scopolamine and atropine, which cause delirium, memory loss and hallucinations.
Safety: The whole plant is deadly poisonous. It is sold as an ornamental in Türkiye; keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Last reviewed: · Türkçe
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