Hyoscyamus niger Linnaeus [Black Henbane]

Family

Solanaceae (Nightshade Family); Subfamily Solanoideae, Hyoscyameae Tribe, Hyoscyaminae Subtribe

Associated with love, rain, divination.

Propagation occurs via seeds that need only be pressed into sandy and clayey soil (in March and April). However, the likelihood of germination is greater when the seeds are allowed to germinate in seedling soil and then transplanted. Henbane also sows itself. Because the plant requires a nitrogen-rich soil, a pure nitrogen or calcium cyanamide fertilizer should be used. Do not overwater. The plant must be protected from potato beetles and henbane fleas.

The leaves and the herbage contain 0.03 to 0.28% tropane alkaloids. The principal alkaloids S-(–)-hyoscyamine (which is transformed into atropine by drying) and S-(–)-scopolamine are present in ratios of 2:1 to 1:1. Trace amounts of aposcopolamine, norscopolamine, littorine, tropine, cuscohygrine, tigloidine, and tigloyloxytropane are also present, as well are flavonoids (rutin) and coumarin derivatives (Lindequist 1993, 467).

Henbane beer

Recipe 1 [The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants]

• 40 g dried, chopped henbane herbage (herbae hyoscyamus niger conc.)
• 5 g bayberry or another Myrica species (this aromatic ingredient is optional)
• approx. 23 liters of water
• 1 liter (approx. 1.2 kg) brewing malt (barley malt)
• 900 g honey (e.g., spruce or pine honey)