Henbane contains similar substances to belladonna or datura. It is related to these plants and is also just as poisonous. Consumption is definitely not recommended, although henbane has a long tradition as a medicinal herb.
Is henbane poisonous?
Henbane is a highly poisonous plant that can cause impaired consciousness, anesthesia-like sleep or even death. Animals, especially birds and small mammals, are also at risk and often react fatally to consumption.
Eating henbane can lead to symptoms similar to those known from belladonna, but usually impaired consciousness is the main cause. Unconsciousness or anesthesia-like sleep can also occur, and in severe cases even death. Some people, on the other hand, suffer from crying fits, the urge to talk or tantrums.
Animals are relatively rarely poisoned with henbane. However, consumption is very dangerous and quickly fatal for birds and small mammals such as guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters. In horses, around 300 g of the fresh herb is considered a lethal dose.
The henbane in antiquity
The henbane is said to have been known as early as Egypt, ancient Persia and the Babylonians. Fortune tellers used the herb to put themselves into a trance and it was a fairly reliable remedy for poison murders. The Celts also knew the effects of henbane.
The henbane in the Middle Ages
With the help of henbane, fish were easier to catch because it stunned them. Due to the smoke of the burnt herbs, the chickens fell from the perch and were carried away without a fuss. Apparently 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 operations. However, it also led to states of intoxication. For this reason, it was often added to beer to increase the intoxicating effect of the drink. By the way, henbane is said to have given the Pils its name.
The 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 through to behavioral problems and recurring hiccups.
Symptoms of poisoning caused by henbane:
- Pulse acceleration
- Disorders of consciousness
- Unconsciousness
- anesthesia-like sleep
- Reededrang
- Fantastic fits
- Crying fits
- fatal with appropriate dose
Tip
If you would like to use the healing effects of henbane, then use Hyoscyamus niger as a homeopathic remedy in low potency.