Envoy at 14:55, 17 May 2007

2007-05-17T14:55:27Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Henbane
| image = Koeh-073.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Henbane
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Hyoscyamus]]''
| species = '''''H. niger'''''
| binomial = ''Hyoscyamus niger''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''Henbane''' (''Hyoscyamus niger''<ref name="Roberts_31">{{Harvnb|Roberts|1998|p=31}}.</ref>) is a plant of the family [[Solanaceae]]<ref name="Roberts_31" /> that originated in [[Eurasia]],<ref name="Roberts_31" /> though it is now globally distributed.

It was historically used in combination with other plants, such as [[Mandrake (plant)|Mandrake]] , [[Deadly Nightshade]], and [[Datura]] as an [[anaesthetic]] potion, as well as for its [[psychoactive]] properties in "magic brews."<ref name="Roberts_31" /> Its usage was originally in continental Europe and Asia, though it did spread to England sometime during the [[Middle Ages]]. The use of Henbane by the [[ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] was documented by [[Pliny]]. The plant, recorded as ''Herba Apollinaris'', was used to yield [[oracle]]s by the priestesses of [[Apollo]].<ref name="Roberts_31" />

Henbane can be [[toxic]] in low doses. Its name came from [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] ''hennbana'' = "killer of [[Chicken|hen]]s". [[Hyoscyamine]], [[scopolamine]], and other [[tropane]] [[alkaloids]] have been found in the foliage and seeds of the plant.<ref name="Roberts_31" />

Common effects of henbane use in humans include hallucinations,<ref name="Roberts_31" /> dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin. Less common symptoms such as [[tachycardia]], convulsions, vomiting, [[hypertension]], [[hyperpyrexia]] and [[ataxia]] have all been noted. Despite this it is used as a food plant by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Cabbage Moth]].

It was traditionally used in [[Germany|German]] [[pilsner]] [[beers]] as a flavouring, until the [[Reinheitsgebot|Bavarian Purity Law]] was passed in 1516 and outlawed the use of Henbane and allowed only the use of [[hops]].
[[Image:Henbane1.JPG|thumb|left|225px|Henbane in flower]]

Henbane or Hyoscyamus was also known to have been used as an anesthetic in the first Arab hospitals.

Henbane is the etymology of the Czech town [[Plzeň]] and pilsener beer.

==Citations==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
<div class="references-small">
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Roberts
| Given1 = Margaret F.
| Surname2 = Wink
| Given2 = Michael
| Year = 1998
| Title = Alkaloids: biochemistry, ecology, and medicinal applications
| Publisher = Springer
| Pages = 31–32
| ISBN = 0306454653
| URL = http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0306454653&id=bMCzyrAtrvYC&dq=henbane
| Access-date = 2006-12-27
}}.
</div>

==See also==
* [[Nabidh]]

==External links==
{{commons|Hyoscyamus niger|Henbane}}
*http://www.erowid.org/plants/henbane/henbane.shtml
* Hyoscyamus albus [http://www.weberseeds.de/species/hyoscyamus_albus.htm]
* Hyoscyamus niger [http://www.weberseeds.de/species/hyoscyamus_niger.htm]

[[Category:Solanaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Deliriants]]
[[Category:Anesthetics]]
[[Category:Beer and breweries in Germany]]
[[Category:Entheogens]]
[[Category:Herbal and fungal hallucinogens]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

Henbane - Revision history

Envoy at 14:55, 17 May 2007