Content
- Is the henbane poisonous?
- The henbane in ancient times
- The henbane in the middle ages
- The henbane in homeopathy
- Symptoms of poisoning by henbane:
- Tips
Henbane is deadly poisonous
Is the henbane poisonous?
Henbane contains similar substances as the belladonna or datura. It is related to these plants and also just as poisonous. Consumption is not recommended, although henbane can look back on a long tradition as a medicinal herb.
The consumption of henbane can lead to symptoms similar to those of the belladonna, but as a rule consciousness disorders are in the foreground. It can also lead to unconsciousness or narcosis-like sleep, in bad cases even to death. Some people, on the other hand, suffer from crying, speech or tantrums.
Animals poison relatively rarely with henbane. For birds and small mammals, such as guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters, however, the consumption is very dangerous and also quickly fatal. In horses, about 300 g of fresh herb is considered a lethal dose.
The henbane in ancient times
Already in Egypt in ancient Persia and among the Babylonians the henbane has been known. Soothsayers have entered into trance with the herb and it has been a fairly reliable remedy for poisoning. The Celts also knew the effect of the henbane.
The henbane in the middle ages
With the help of the henbane, fish were easier to catch because they were stunned. Through the smoke of the burned herb, the chickens fell off the pole and could be carried away without nagging. Apparently, the traveling people used this method of chicken catching for foreign animals.
In medieval medicine, henbane was used as a painkiller and even as an anesthetic for surgery. However, it also led to intoxication. For this reason, it was often added to the beer to enhance the intoxicating effect of the drink. By the way, the henbane should have helped the pils to his name.
The henbane in homeopathy
Under the name Hyoscyamus niger the black henbane is available as a homeopathic medicine. The areas of application range from nocturnal coughing fits and asthma to insomnia to behavioral problems and recurring hiccups.
Symptoms of poisoning by henbane:
Tips
If you want to use the healing properties of henbane, then use Hyoscyamus niger as homeopathic remedy in low potency.