Henbane

(Hyoscyamusniger L., Solanaceae)

Also Called: Hyoscyamus, Hogbean.

Description: Annual or biennial plant.
The biennial form produces a rosette of leaves in the first year and in the second year a flowering axis 30-150cm (1-5ft) high, simple or much branched.
Leaves oblong to ovate, very hairy with broadly sinuate margin; 6--15cm (2.5-6in) long in wild plants.
Certain cultivated races have leaves up to 40cm (16in) long.
Flowers funnel-shaped, yellowish-white to dull yellow with brown or purple veins; arranged in a somewhat unilateral panicle.
Fruit: a capsule with detachable lid.
Flowering: May- October.

Parts Used: Dried leaves; at times the entire flowering plant and the dried seeds.

Habitat and Cultivation: On waste places, roadsides and in hedges.
Widely scattered in Britain in sandy places, usually near the sea or on disturbed ground.
Cultivated for medicinal use from seeds in rows 30-50cm (12-20 in) apart.
A crop of leaves is taken from the biennial plants at the end of the summer of the first year; the annual plants are harvested at the commencement of flowering.
Drying is at about 60 C (140 F) in the shade or in sunlight.
Yield: 10-20kg (22-441b) per are (120 sq yd).

Constituents and Action: Henbane contains alkaloids very similar to those of belladonna but in smaller amounts.
The action of the drug is similar to that of belladonna but is less drastic.

CAUTION: All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Usage: Because of its poisonous nature, henbane should be used only under medical supervision for the same purposes as belladonna.
Oil of henbane is an oily extract of the leaves used only as a liniment for pains.