Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane)

  • Rowan McOnegal
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Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane). Rowan McOnegal. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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A sturdy wild plant, up to four feet high. Leaves are toothed and with the stems have sticky white hairs. Flowers are buff coloured with purple veins. Contains tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Extracts have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and, externally, to relieve arthritis and toothache. A highly toxic plant whose bitterness tends to prevent ingestion. Its effects are similar to those of deadly nightshade.

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