Hyoscyamus — known as the henbanes — is a
genus of
flowering plants in the
nightshade family,
Solanaceae. It comprises 31 species,[2] all of which are toxic. It, along with other genera in the same family, is a source of the drug
hyoscyamine (daturine). Cruciferous type of stomata is present in Hyoscyamus.
The
poisonous,
narcotic henbanes were associated with
witchcraft since earliest times. The
Assyrians recommended hanging them on one's door to ward off
sorcery.
Witches found them valuable especially due to their trance-inducing capabilities, and they were used in
flying ointment rituals. They have been used to lessen pain,
neuralgia and diminish
convulsions.
Dioscorides recommended them largely for external pain killing use. The leaves are made into a kind of
cigarette to relieve
asthma and other respiratory ailments.[4]
^"Hyoscyamus L."Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-09-01. Archived from
the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2010-04-29.