Henbane
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Botanical Name |
Hyoscyamus niger |
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Family |
Solanaceae |
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Other Names |
Black nightshade, cassilago, cassilata, devil’s eye, deus caballinus, deus caballinux, fetid nightshade, henbell (Anglo Saxon), hogs bean, hyasiyanias, isana, jusquiame (French), Jupiter bean, poison tobacco, stinking nightshade, symphonica |
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Habitat |
By the sea, chalky waste ground |
|
Description |
Annual or biennial bushy herbaceous, 50-80cm/20-32in tall. Stems: erect, unbranched with soft white hairs Sticky, smelly foliage. Up to 80cm Leaves: alternate, ovate or oblong, toothed, stalkless and hairy Lower leaves: stalked and hairy Flowers yellow/brown purple veined corolla tubes with leafy bracts June – October Fruit: Smooth green in a five toothed cup |
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Native to |
Europe, Asia, North Africa |
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Parts Used |
Leaves, flowering tops, seeds, stems |
|
Actions |
Anodyne, antispasmodic, mydriatic, sedative |
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Constituents |
Scopolamine, atropine; tannins Tropane alkaloids (0.045% -0.14%) –hyoscyamine, hyoscine |
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Other Notes |
Used in witchcraft and flying ointments It is said to open doorways into other realms and it aids magical flight The Roman’s introduced it to Britain Hyoscyamus is derived from the Greek hyos meaning pig and kyainos meaning bean Planet: Saturn/Jupiter Element: Water |
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Caution |
Toxic do not use internally |