Henbane is an annual to biennial with distinguishing hairy, toothed leaves and greenish to yellowish flowers with dark purple veins that almost appear black. Originally from Eurasia, it is now found throughout the world and is most commonly grown as an ornamental or landscaping plant. Henbane, like several other nightshades, has a long history of use as a medicinal and a poison, and it is still grown commercially for medicinal use in some parts of the world. Like its cousins, belladonna and datura, henbane was a common ingredient in witches' brews. Containing the toxic alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine, henbane was used as a poison at least since the Middle Ages. This type of poisoning, which can take place even after ingesting a small amount of plant or seed matter, can have symptoms such as increased salivation, headache, nausea, convulsions, hallucinations, stupor, coma and death. Ironically, henbane was once used as a flavoring in German pilsner beers until the German government stepped in and banned it as an ingredient. Henbane use has also been documented in a variety of other cultures including the Arabs, Ancient Greeks and in Tibetan medicine. It was also used as an admixture to the hallucinogenic brews of certain South American Indians. As a medicinal, it has mild pain relieving abilities, antispasmodic activity and causes pupil dilation. Based on such actions, it has been reportedly used for a list of conditions including toothaches, epilepsy, cough, asthma, and Parkinson's Disease. One source also reports that placing the dried leaves around a house will help drive away mice.
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