Henbane

There are many opinions on how and when to sow henbane seed. Autumn sowing is often recommended, but we have had good results from sowing in a greenhouse in the spring. Sow the seeds on the surface, cover with a very thin layer of soil and tamp in well. Grows up to a meter in a protected area in the sun.

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.