Hyoscyamus niger(Solanaceae) Khurasini ajwain

This is a toxic plant. The information provided here is for educational purposes only

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Hyoscyamus niger

Family: Solanaceae

Genus: Hyoscyamus

Related Herbs from the same family:

Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade): A highly toxic plant used in extremely small doses in homeopathy and traditional medicine for its anticholinergic properties.

Datura stramonium (Datura or Thorn Apple): Used in traditional medicine and religious rituals in India, but extremely dangerous. It contains similar tropane alkaloids.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha or Winter Cherry): A renowned adaptogen and tonic, showcasing the vast range of medicinal and toxic properties within the Solanaceae family.

The Solanaceae family is notorious for containing plants with potent tropane alkaloids that have significant effects on the nervous system.

2. Common Names:Scientific Name: Hyoscyamus niger | English: Henbane, Black Henbane, Stinking Nightshade | Sanskrit: Parasika Yavani, Khurasani Ajmoda | Hindi: Khurasani Ajwain, Bajarbang | Tamil: Khurasani Omam, Kurasani yomam | Telugu: Khurasani Vamu | Kannada: Khurasani Oma | Malayalam: Khurasani Ayamodakam | Marathi: Khurasani Ova | Bengali: Khurasani Jowan | Nepali: | Urdu: Khurasani Ajwain | French: Jusquiame noire | Spanish: Beleno negro | Italian: Giusquiamo nero | German: Schwarzes Bilsenkraut | Chinese: Tián jiè zǐ (天仙子) | Russian: Blekota chyornaya | Japanese: Hienban (ヒエンバン) | Afrikaans: Hennebrand |

3. Medicinal Uses:

Antispasmodic, Sedative, Narcotic, Analgesic (pain-relieving), Anesthetic, Anticholinergic, Antiasthmatic (in historical preparations), Antiparkinsonian (historical use).

Medicinal Parts:The leaves and seeds of Hyoscyamus niger are the primary parts used for their alkaloid content. The entire plant is toxic.

• Leaves: The most commonly used part, harvested when the plant is in flower and dried for use in powders, tinctures, and smoking blends (historically).

• Seeds: Also contain a high concentration of tropane alkaloids and were used in traditional medicine.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

The toxicity and medicinal effects of Henbane are due to a group of potent tropane alkaloids that block acetylcholine receptors in the nervous system.

Hyoscyamine: The primary alkaloid, which is an anticholinergic. It is responsible for most of the plant's effects, including Sedative, Antispasmodic, and mydriatic (pupil-dilating) actions.

Scopolamine (Hyoscine): This alkaloid has stronger sedative and amnesic properties than hyoscyamine. It is a powerful central nervous system depressant and is used for motion sickness and as a pre-anesthetic.

Atropine: A racemic mixture of hyoscyamine, also present. It has broad anticholinergic effects, reducing secretions (saliva, sweat), relaxing smooth muscles, and increasing heart rate.

Other Tropane Alkaloids: Such as apoatropine and littorine, which contribute to the overall anticholinergic and toxic profile.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Analgesic and Sedative for Pain and Insomnia

Formulation: Leaf poultice or smoke.

Preparation & Use: In European folk medicine, a poultice of the leaves was applied externally to relieve neuralgic and arthritic pain. The smoke from burning seeds was inhaled as a traditional remedy for toothache. Internally, it was used in minute doses for insomnia and hysteria.

Reasoning: The tropane alkaloids are absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, providing local analgesic and sedative effects by blocking nerve signals.

Antispasmodic for Asthma and Cough (Historical Use)

Formulation: Herbal cigarette or fumigant.

Preparation & Use: Dried leaves were smoked or burned and the smoke was inhaled to relieve the spasms of asthma and whooping cough. This practice was extremely dangerous and could be fatal.

Reasoning: The anticholinergic action helps to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi, providing temporary relief from bronchospasm.

Surgical Anesthesia and Poison

Formulation: Wine or beer extract.

Preparation & Use: In ancient times, from Europe to the Arab world, Henbane was steeped in wine or beer to create a potent potion used as an anesthetic for surgeries or as a poison.

Reasoning: The combined effect of hyoscyamine and scopolamine induces a state of stupor, delirium, and deep sedation, which was exploited for these purposes.

Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine (Khurasani Ajwain)

Formulation: Seed or leaf powder in minute doses.

Preparation & Use: In very small, controlled doses, it is used in Unani and some Ayurvedic practices as a painkiller for colic, as a sedative, and for its antispasmodic effects on the intestines and urinary tract.

Reasoning: The anticholinergic properties effectively reduce spasms in smooth muscles and depress central nervous system activity, but the margin of safety is very narrow.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

WARNING: Hyoscyamus niger is HIGHLY TOXIC and can be FATAL. It is not suitable for home preparation or self-treatment. Any historical use was conducted by experienced practitioners with immense caution. This information is purely academic.

Historical Analgesic Oil (For Academic Interest Only)

Purpose: For external relief of rheumatic pain.

Preparation & Use:

• Dried Henbane leaves were infused in a carrier oil (like olive oil) for several weeks.

• This oil was rubbed sparingly on painful joints. This is not a safe recommendation.

7. Disclaimer:Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane) is an extremely poisonous plant. Ingesting any part of it can cause delirium, hallucinations, tachycardia, convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. It is not for home use and should not be handled without expert knowledge. This information is provided for historical and academic context only and must not be used for diagnosis, treatment, or experimentation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

• Potter's Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations by R.C. Wren

• The Complete German Commission E Monographs

• Ethnobotany of the Solanaceae by various authors.

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties

1. Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade)

• Species: Atropa belladonna | Family: Solanaceae | Genus: Atropa

• Similarities: Both contain nearly identical tropane alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine) and share the same profile of extreme toxicity and potent anticholinergic, sedative, and mydriatic effects. They were both used in historical medicine and witchcraft.

2. Datura stramonium (Thorn Apple)

• Species: Datura stramonium | Family: Solanaceae | Genus: Datura

• Similarities: Another highly toxic Solanaceae plant containing scopolamine and hyoscyamine. It shares the same dangerous profile and was similarly used for asthma, as a hallucinogen, and as a poison. Its traditional use in India is well-documented but equally perilous.

3. Mandragora officinarum (Mandrake)

• Species: Mandragora officinarum | Family: Solanaceae | Genus: Mandragora

• Similarities: Historically grouped with Henbane and Belladonna as a "sorcerer's herb." It contains similar tropane alkaloids and was used as an anesthetic, sedative, and hallucinogen, surrounded by extensive folklore and myth.

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