HENBANE Hyoscyamus niger, L.( P. T. Kondratenko, Zagotovky, Medicina, Moscow, 1967)
Externally: Gerard writes:“ To wash the feet in a decoction of Henbane causeth sleep, or given in a clyster it Both the same, also the smelling of the flowers. The roots are frequently hung about childrens neck to prevent fits, and cause an easy breeding of the teeth.” The leaves make a fine external preparation for glandular swelling or ulcers, etc. It is best never to use Henbane under any circumstances without the advice of a good herbal physician. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh plant— Amaurosis, Angina pectoris, Bladder( paralysis of), Bronchitis, Chorea, Coma vigil, Cough, Delirium tremens, Diarrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Enteric fever, Epilepsy, Epistaxis, Erotomania, Eyes( affections of), Haemoptysis, Haemorrhages, Hiccough, Hydrophobia, Hypochondriasis, Lochia( suppressed), Mania, Meningitis, Mind( affections of), Neuralgia, Night blindness, Nymphomania, Paralysis, Paralysis agitans, Parotitis, Pneumonia, Rage, Sleep( disorders of). Russian Experience: When Russians say“ Beleni obelsia”, it is very bad, meaning persons have lost all common sense, are unreasonable and irresponsible. They express Henbane and its effect this way. Henbane is known as Belena Vonuchaya— Henbane Sticnky, or Belena Chernaya( Black Henbane), which does not have too much approval.
A Greek physician, Dioscorides Pedanius( AD 41 – 68), gave the name to this herb. All literature impresses upon us that Henbane is dangerous and poisonous. Can be used clinically by prescription and under close observation by medical personnel. Folk Medicine: Use the burned seeds and smoke to help toothache; boiled herb is added to a hot bath for swollen legs and hands; also the herb is applied when one is bitten by mad dogs or other animals; Nastoika( Henbane and vodka) as rheumatic liniment pain killer( Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, 1965). Medicinal Use: The leaves and herb are prescribed for stomach ulcers, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, midriasis( enlargement of the pupil), nervine, rheumatic and neuralgic pain( Atlas, Moscow, 1962). A leaf preparation of Henbane, Datura and Sage is made into special anti-asthmatic cigarettes for smokers troubled with bronchial asthma( Saratov University, 1962). Industrial: Belena grows everywhere in Russia, soil and climate being no deterrent to its livelihood; the seeds can withstand any temperature, low or high, and can be dormant for long periods and life will emerge when seed and soil meet with the vitality of water and sun. Although prevalent everywhere in Russia, and although dangerous when wrongly administered, the wild collection does not meet the supply and demand. Agro-Technics have detailed information on plantations in Ukraine, South Russia. One plant averages 10,000 seeds; some literature claims nearly one million( 950,000) seeds from one single plant. For 1 acre sow 4 – 5 lb. of seed; 65 – 70 per cent will germinate. In the autumn the seed is sown, without ploughing; in this case they use 5 – 6 lb. for each acre. As it is a biennial, the first year they harvest only at the end of the summer, but the next year they can harvest