Henbane

Henbane is a hardy biennial (occasionally annual) and opinions differ on the best time to sow it. We have found that although spring-sowing under cover does work, our healthiest plants are usually those that self-seed from the previous year, suggesting that late-summer or autumn sowing gives the best results.

Sow on the surface, cover with a very thin layer of soil or compost, and gently firm down. Keep moist but not waterlogged. Germination can be slow and uneven, sometimes taking several weeks.

Henbane dislikes being confined for long periods. Prick out and plant out while still small, as plants left in pots for too long—especially in warm conditions—tend to bolt quickly. It prefers full sun and free-draining, relatively poor soil.

In protected environments such as polytunnels, henbane can grow quite large, with a strong aroma and an imposing presence. Outdoor plants usually remain smaller, are easier to manage, and tend to produce better seed.

Plants form a rosette in the first year and flower and set seed in the second year, after which they die. If allowed to seed, henbane will readily self-sow and often establish itself year after year.

Like datura and belladonna, henbane contains the tropane alkaloids, hyoscyamine and hyoscine, that compete with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine having the effect of down regulating parasympathetic responses such as sweating, salivation, gastric secretion and smooth muscle contraction in the urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. This makes it useful wherever there are spasms and cramps and it has a reputation for helping alleviate some of the tremor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Vagal nerve stimulation is also inhibited, leading to a more rapid heartbeat and dilated pupils; hence the name belladonna, which means ‘beautiful woman’ in Italian, referring its use in eye drops to enhance the allure.

Hyoscyamine has been isolated as a drug and is commonly used for motion sickness, bed-wetting and Parkinson’s.

Like all herbs containing tropane alkaloids the therapeutic window is very narrow and henbane is only used by herbalists in the UK under Section 20 of the Human Medicines Regulation in drop doses by herbalists of 1-2ml of a 1:10 tincture/day, with an equivalent maximum of 100mg per dose.

All this being said- DO NOT USE henbane without the guidance of a professionally qualified herbalist.

Unless you know what you are doing, don’t.