Hyoscyamus albus
Hyoscamus albus
Hyoscyamus albus, commonly known as Henbane, is a potent medicinal plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Renowned for its high concentration of tropane alkaloids like hyoscyamine, it has historically been used for its sedative and antispasmodic properties. However, its extreme toxicity requires precise handling and expert medical supervision.
- Scientific name: Hyoscyamus albus
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales, it falls under the family Solanaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is defined by the genus Hyoscyamus, which includes the species Hyoscyamus albus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hyoscyamus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hyoscyamus albus, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In German, it is referred to as Weißes Bilsenkraut, while in Arabic, it is called بنج أبيض. Its regional names also include Ağ batbat in Azerbaijani, blín bílý in Czech, and Белена белая in Russian.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Weißes Bilsenkraut | Wikidata |
| ar | بنج أبيض | Wikidata |
| az | Ağ batbat | Wikidata |
| cs | blín bílý | Wikidata |
| ru | Белена белая | Wikidata |
| sv | Vit bolmört | Wikidata |
| bg | бял блян | Wikidata |
| aeb-arab | سكران | Wikidata |
| uk | Блекота біла | Wikidata |
| el | Γερούλι | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations throughout the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted across Germany as well as the region encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is distributed across several islands in Southwestern Europe, including the Baleares. It can also be found on the island of Corse within the same southwestern territory. Finally, the plant's range extends across the mainland of France.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as white henbane, possesses several distinct morphological features used in botanical identification and traditional medicine. The medicinal properties of the species are often derived from its various components, most notably the small, dark seeds which contain potent alkaloids. Additionally, the plant is characterized by its robust, hairy roots that grow beneath the soil, serving as a vital part of its structural and chemical makeup.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hyoscyamus albus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, scopolamine, stigmasterol.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scopolamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hyoscyamus albus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypolipidemic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hypolipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hyoscyamus albus has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include apoptosis, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| apoptosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperinsulinemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mitochondrial dysfunctions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |