Is black henbane poisonous to touch?

Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) has a long history as a notorious toxic as well as a beneficial medicinal plant. The plants grow up to 36 inches tall and have hairy leaves that are sticky to the touch. Black henbane is highly poisonous and should not be carelessly used, even by herbalists.

Is black henbane an invasive species?

Black henbane is an invasive annual or biennial plant that can grow to 3 ft. (1 m) in height. Prolific seed production increases the spread of this plant, as a single plant can produce up to half a million seeds. Black henbane is native to the Mediterranean and is poisonous to most mammals.

Does henbane grow in the United States?

Henbane was introduced to North America from Europe for medicinal and ornamental purposes, probably sometime in the seventeenth century. It has escaped cultivation since that time and is now found across most of the United States.

How poisonous is black henbane?

Uses and Management: All plant parts of black henbane are considered highly toxic because of alkaloids hyoscymine and scopolamine, and can be fatal if eaten. It is poisonous to all livestock and humans, even at low doses.

What happens if you ingest henbane?

Overdoses of henbane can cause the second type of “side-effect”: immediate death. The alkaloids in the plant can overstimulate the central nervous system, leading to convulsions, manic episodes, heart arrhythmia, apnea, and coma (Alizadeh et al. 2014).

Is henbane a narcotic?

Henbane is used in traditional herbal medicine for ailments of the bones, rheumatism, toothache, asthma, cough, nervous diseases, and stomach pain. It might also be used as analgesic, sedative, and narcotic in some cultures.

How do I get rid of black henbane?

Biological Controls: There are currently no known biological controls for black henbane. Chemical Controls: For large infestations, a systemic herbicide, such as glyphosate, can be applied. Glyphosate is nonselective, but should provide effective control.

Where is henbane native to?

Europe
Native to Europe, black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) now occurs across the Northeast, the Midwest, and much of the West. It was originally brought to the east coast for cultivation as a medicinal herb. Now it invades disturbed open sites, roadsides, fields, waste places, and abandoned gardens.

How do I know if I have black henbane?

Black henbane may be an annual or biennial, 1 to 3 feet tall. Leaves are coarsely toothed to shallowly lobed and pubescent. Foliage has a foul odor. Flowers, on long racemes in axils of upper leaves, are brownish-yellow with a purple center and purple veins. Fruits are approximately 1 inch long and 5-lobed.

Is henbane a psychedelic?

Henbane was historically used in combination with other plants, such as mandrake, deadly nightshade, and datura, as an anaesthetic potion, as well as for its psychoactive properties in “magic brews”. These psychoactive properties include visual hallucinations and a sensation of flight.

Is henbane a hallucinogen?

Henbane is a toxic plant that has an interesting caveat: different doses of the plant extracts can produce wildly different results in the human body. One of these results is an hallucinatory experience, as Gustav Schenk can attest to.

Is black henbane safe to eat?

Black henbane ( Hyoscyamus niger) has a long history as a notorious toxic as well as a beneficial medicinal plant. Black henbane ( Hyoscyamus niger) has a long history as a notorious toxic as well as a beneficial medicinal plant. Photo: Teresa Prendusi.

Is black henbane an annual or perennial?

Black henbane is an annual or biennial of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) that reproduces solely through seed production (Figures 1 and 2). Seeds germinate and develop into a rosette in late May.

What is the most commonly used henbane in Europe?

The most commonly used magical and medicinal species in Europe were Hyoscyamus niger (black henbane) and H. albus (yellow or white henbane). Black henbane ( Hyoscyamus niger) has a long history as a notorious toxic as well as a beneficial medicinal plant.

Is black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) toxic?