Hyoscyamus albus
| Hyoscyamus albus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Hyoscyamus albus (common name: white henbane)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, older seed rapidly loses viability[1]. Either sow in situ or pot up the seedlings whilst still small because plants produce a long taproot and older plants resent root disturbance[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a hot dry position[1] in a wall or rock crevice[2]. Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil, preferably of an alkaline nature, in full sun[1]. Grows well in maritime areas[1].
Plants are possibly hardy to about -10°c[2], they are unlikely to succeed in the colder areas of Britain.
Self-sows freely, it can be grown in wild informal areas of the garden[1].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Dry, uncultivated ground, walls and field margins.
Medicinal: Henbane has a very long history of use as a medicinal herb, and has been widely cultivated to meet the demand for its use[3]. It is used extensively as a sedative and pain killer and is specifically used for pain affecting the urinary tract, especially when due to kidney stones[4]. Its sedative and antispasmodic effect makes it a valuable treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, relieving tremor and rigidity during the early stages of the disease[4]. This species is generally considered the best for internal use, whilst the black henbane (H. niger) is the form most used externally[3].
All parts of the plant, but especially the leaves and the seeds, can be used - they are anodyne, antispasmodic, mildly diuretic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic, narcotic and sedative[3][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, motion sickness, Meniere's syndrome, tremor in senility or paralysis and as a pre-operative medication[12]. Henbane reduces mucous secretions, as well as saliva and other digestive juices[4]. Externally, it is used as an oil to relieve painful conditions such as neuralgia, dental and rheumatic pains[12][4].The leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full flower and they can then be dried for later use[3]. This is a very poisonous plant that should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[7][12]. See the notes above on toxicity.
The seed is used in the treatment of asthma, cough, epilepsy, myalgia and toothache[11].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are very toxic[13][14][15][16][17][1]. Symptoms of poisoning include impaired vision, convulsions, coma and death from heart or respiratory failure[12].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.