HELLEBORE, AMERICAN Veratrum viride, Ait.( U. S. Agricultural Department, Appalachia, 1971)
Russian Experience: Chemeritza Lobelia is among the several kinds of Hellebore growing in Russia. American Hellebore is valued highly and cultivation is possible. Folk Medicine: Decoctions or Nastoika( vodka and Hellebore) and preparations of ointments are used in painful rheumatic conditions, especially in sciatica. A word of caution should be observed as it is poisonous in wrong amounts. Clinically: Used very carefully and only under prescription. Veterinary: The agent is strong and effective if mixed with Agrimony( Agrimonia eupatoria) for parasites and pests. It is toxic and personal protection should be taken when preparing or spraying solution; a wet mask is advised.
HENBANE Hyoscyamus niger, L.( N. O.: Solanaceae)
Common Names: Devil’ s Eye, Hog’ s Bean, Henbell, Jupiter’ s Bean. Features: Hyoscyamus niger is the most common species of the eleven biennial or perennial nightshade or potato family, solanaceae. Native to the eastern hemisphere from Europe to India. Has been naturalized, particularly in the eastern United States from New England to Michigan.
The root is a long, tapering, fleshy, corrugated growth, which is of a brown colour externally and whitish internally, with an ill-smelling odour( could be mistakenly eaten as parsnips with fatal results). The stems are l – 4 ft. high, thickly clothed with coarsely toothed or pinnatifid, viscid, hairy, alternate leaves; collected in second year when the plant is in bloom. Flowers from July to September, in pendant, long, one-sided, leafy spikes, pale or dingy yellow in colour, with purple veins or orifice. The seeds are many, small, obovate and brownish, and are gathered when perfectly ripe. Found growing in the waste grounds of old settlements, in graveyards and around the foundations of ruined houses.
If bruised the new leaves emit a strong narcotic odour, like tobacco; when dried they have little smell or taste. Medical Parts: Leaves, seeds. Solvents: Alcohol, boiling water. Bodily Influence: Anodyne, Narcotic, Mydriatic. Uses: Henbane is powerfully narcotic. If used under the guidance of a good herbal physician, it is calmative, hypnotic, anodyne and antispasmodic. Dr. Brown, M. D., informs us:“ It is much better than opium, as it does not produce constipation, and is always given where opium does not agree.”
Its use is principally to cause sleep and remove irregular nervous action. Also combined with other herbal medications for gout, rheumatism, asthma, chronic cough, neuralgia, irritations of the urinary organs, etc.
All narcotics are dangerously poisonous if carelessly administered. Nature grows wild her most potent medicinal herbs, and those which, if used by persons who understand them, are curative of the very worst affection of the human race, are also destructive to a small extent if applied and administered by parties who have not thoroughly studied their properties.