Henbane

Botanical name:
Hyoscyamus niger
Family:
Solanaceae, Nightshade family
Where to find this herb:
Originally from Southern Europe, but travelling monks brought it to monasteries in the North.
Part(s) used:
leaves and seeds
Special constituents:
Hyoscyamine, scopolamine. The seeds contain the largest amount of alkaloids (0,3%).
Correspondance:
32 (Cunningham, Culpeper, Druehyld, Beyerl)
Uses:
Witches flying ointment, sedative, antispasmodic, anodyne

Description:
Another traditional witches' herb from the nightshade family, Henbane is often the main ingredient in flying ointments. Do not ingest this herb, as it is toxic. I cannot recommend the seeds for incense, they stink terribly when burned, and if you breathe to much of the smoke you risk poisoning.
The herb is not much to look at, the leaves stink and the flowers are not very pretty. Still, the herb has something fascinating to it. In spite of the above characteristics, it has a certain female charm. It is inviting and repelling at the same time. For this reason I like to keep it in my garden, and also because of its history; it makes me think of the monks in the middle ages, travelling all over Europe, building monasteries and bringing with them culinary and medicinal herbs, Henbane being one of these.
The seeds like to germinate after the soil has been disturbed. At Æbelholt Klosterruin near Hillerød, Denmark, there was an archeological excavation. The following spring, a lot of Henbanes suddenly appeared, where none had been before. The seeds had been in the soil for hundreds of years! But the Henbanes that appeared, were all sterile; they were also up to 2 m(!!) high. Very strange indeed.
one of the giant Henbanes
Medicinally Henbane can be used as a sedative; an effective one, but dangerous, as it is difficult to give the correct dose. Too much, and the patient doesn't wake up again. Earlier it was combined with morphine to sedate people prior to operations ("twilight sleep"), but this is now considered too dangerous.
Scopolamine is still being used as an antispasmodic for conditions such as Parkinson's, mania and delirium tremens. It is also found (in small amounts) in non-prescription sedatives. Scopolamine is parasympatholytic, that means, it depresses the parasympathic nervous system. It gives the following symptoms: diluted pupils, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, dry skin.
Other uses include adding it to antiasthmatic smoking mixtures; as an antispasmodic for the digestive and urinary tract; and against travel sickness.