botanical name(s): Hyoscyamus niger
synonyms: henbane
part(s) used: leaves, flowering tops
qualities:
affinities: nervous system
actions:
dosage:
» tincture: 1/10 - 20 drops (0.006 to 1.3 ml.)
therapy: paralysis agitans, senile tremor
toxicity: 4
» treatment of overdose should be symptomatic and supportive including gastric lavage with 4% tannins and emesis; caffeine acts as an antidote (Duke, pp. 240-241)
» may cause changes in lactation, especially the nutritional quality and flavor (Muenscher, p. 19; Westbrooks and Preacher, p. 169)
» fresh juice from the plant may cause dermatitis (Fuller and McClintock, p. 221)
» Acute intoxication: gastritis, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The patient also experiences headache, vertigo, mydriasis, dry throat, cold sweat, hoarseness, a weak, fast pulse, deep and labored respirations, and a state of tetany, confusion, unconsciousness or coma. A weakness of the lower limbs can set in, along with muscle spasms, ataxia, cramps and paralysis. In more severe cases, the patient reaches a state of loquacious delirium with hallucinations, followed by dreamy sleep. Death occurs by respiratory paralysis (Ellingwood, p. 109; Felter and Lloyd, p. 1034)
» chronic use can cause skin eruptions producing dry, red, itchy areas (Ellingwood, p. 109)
» also consider protoanemonin, cardiac glycoside, and anticholinergic toxidromes
constituents: tropane alkaloids, the principal ones being hyoscyamine and hyoscine (scopolamine)
footnotes
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Westbrooks, R.G., Preacher, J. W. 1986. Poisonous Plants of North America. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.