Family: N.O. Solanaceae
Common Name: Henbane, Hog's-bean, Jupiter's-bean, Stinking
Nightshade, Black Henbane.
Synonyms: Symphonica, Cassilata, Cassilago, Deus
Caballinus, (Anglo-Saxon) Henbell,
(French) Jusquiame.
Parts Used: Fresh leaves, flowering
tops and branches, seeds.
Habitat: Central and Southern
Europe, Western Asia, India
and Siberia; considered a weed in America
and Brazil.
Growing: Biennial.
Thick, fleshy, brittle taproot;
well-drained soil; called "Black Henbane" as the flowers have
heavy purple veining.
Possible Name Origin: Henne of henbane means 'death' and originates
from a German god by that name.
Planet: Saturn (considered by
early astrologers to be associated with Jupiter)
Deity: Hekate
Mythos
In Scotland henbane is known as an
'herb of the dead.' In ancient times it
honored gravesites. Henbane and barley residue was detected in
drinking horns dating back to the Neolithic period and found in an enclosure
thought to be used as a mortuary. Once
used as a flavoring ingredient in ale, henbane can be toxic.
In ancient Greek mythology, it is
written 'that the dead wear henbane crowns as the wreath of forgetfulness' to
aid them in their grief. Oracles mention its use to divine the future.
Could henbane have been an herb burnt and inhaled at the Oracle of Delphi?
In Witchcraft
Henbane is also known as 'the
plant of witches' and was used specifically for blighting crops and poisoning
livestock. Accounts of extensive crop
failure were blamed on witches when in fact poor soil condition is a favorite
of weeds and henbane in particular. But consider this, wouldn't blight affect all the
inhabitants of a village including the supposed witch? Cunning cuts both ways in the days when
property could be seized for offenses such as witchcraft. Where widows dwell there was money to be
made. Blame had its benefits.
As a Flying Ointment
Henbane is best known as a
'Witches Herb' and one of the ingredients in the infamous Flying Ointment due
to its psychotropic action. By rubbing the handle of the broom with the
ointment and mounting it the ingredients found their way against and easily into
sensitive mucus membranes causing erotic fantasies of flight. An account,
obtained from an individual who experienced such hallucinations recalled the
sensation, 'as if the soul separates from
the body and flies through the skies' which would account for the belief
that one was shape shifted and flew above the earth.
In Ritual Use
Agrippa, of Middle Ages fame,
created incense using henbane as a main ingredient which he designed specifically for raising
spirits from the dead. Practitioners of
necromantic rites were particularly interested in order to acquire secrets
of the occult known, of course, only to the recently departed. Under a dark moon in deserted graveyards
censers fumed while the recitation of specific incantations cut the still air creating trance-like states. Messages
from the other side were quickly transcribed in gimoires illuminated
in candlelight by a shaky hand at a safe distance until the specter was released back to it's inky grave.
Due to henbane's Saturian nature,
many spells both beneficial and deviant, were performed in desolate places and charms were routinely
left in ditches where henbane grew under the light of a full moon. Saturn is understood to govern limitations, darker aspects, authority figures,
disciplinary action, boundary issues, striving and responsibilities needing
attention. Known as a hard task-master, its influence in spells or in one's chart can be a friend or an opponent one that you will not win against easily.
Medicinal Use
According to Grieve, henbane has
similar effects to belladonna which contains the alkaloid hyoscyamine. Sedative
effects are reported surrounding the central nervous system; symptoms of dry mouth and nervousness leading to delirium with a
coma crescendo and possibly death have been reported.
However, there are accounts as to
Henbane's effective treatment surrounding the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with direct reference to tremor
and rigidity in the condition's early stages; this appears to be due to its depressive and
analgesic effects which cause a kind of drowsiness.
Dental problems were treated with
henbane as a painkiller during the Middle Ages and achieved by heating the seeds over coals
and then deeply inhaled; it was said to bring the patient needed relief.
The ancient Egyptians smoked
Hyoscyamus muticus known as Egyptian Henbane which contains higher concentrations of
alkaloids and therefore produces even more powerful effects then our European variety.
Some Old Quotes
Henbane is the noxious herb
referred to by Shakespeare in Hamlet:
'Sleeping
within mine orchard,
My custom
always of the afternoon
Upon my
secure hour thy uncle stole,
With juice
of cursed hebenon in a vial,
And in the
porches of mine ear did pour
The
leprous distillment.'
Speaking of Henbane, *Gerard says:
'The
leaves, the seeds and the juice, when taken internally cause an unquiet sleep,
like unto the sleep of drunkenness, which continueth long and is deadly to the
patient. To wash the feet in a decoction of Henbane, as also the often smelling
of the flowers causeth sleep.'
*Culpepper says:
'I wonder
how astrologers could take on them to make this an herb of Jupiter: and yet
Mizaldus, a man of penetrating brain, was of that opinion as well as the rest:
the herb is indeed under the dominion of Saturn and I prove it by this
argument: All the herbs which delight most to grow in saturnine places are
saturnine herbs. Both Henbane delights most to grow in saturnine places, and
whole cart loads of it may be found near the places where they empty the common
Jakes, and scarce a ditch to be found without it growing by it. Ergo, it is a
herb of Saturn. The leaves of Henbane do cool all hot inflammations in the
eyes.... It also assuages the pain of the gout, the sciatica, and other pains
in the joints which arise from a hot cause. And applied with vinegar to the
forehead and temples, helps the headache and want of sleep in hot fevers....
The oil of the seed is helpful for deafness, noise and worms in the ears, being
dropped therein; the juice of the herb or root doth the same. The decoction of
the herb or seed, or both, kills lice in man or beast. The fume of the dried herb
stalks and seeds, burned, quickly heals swellings, chilblains or kibes in the
hands or feet, by holding them in the fume thereof. The remedy to help those
that have taken Henbane is to drink goat's milk, honeyed water, or pine
kernels, with sweet wine; or, in the absence of these, Fennel seed, Nettle
seed, the seed of Cresses, Mustard or Radish; as also Onions or Garlic taken in
wine, do all help to free them from danger and restore them to their due temper
again. Take notice, that this herb must never be taken inwardly; outwardly, an
oil, ointment, or plaister of it is most admirable for the gout . . . to stop
the toothache, applied to the aching side....'
Toxicity
Henbane is still considered poisonous
and therefore ingestion is dangerous unless under the direct supervision
of a trained herbalist or physician. It will also cause
dermatitis if left on the skin any length of time. Wear gloves when handling this herb and do not
touch your eyes or mouth without washing them first. Do not grind the herb to a fine powder or burn as an incense unless in a
'well ventilated' area.
Oil of henbane can blister the
skin, do not include it as an ingredient to oils or salves.
I personally have had
the same dermatitis reaction when my wrist was exposed to the juice of common mugwort while pruning back a large stand in my garden. I experienced pain and then a temporary scarring effect which lasted for
several weeks.
