Hyoscyamus niger
Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger, commonly known as Henbane, is a potent medicinal plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Renowned for its alkaloid content, particularly hyoscyamine, it has been used historically for its sedative and antispasmodic properties. However, due to its high toxicity, it must be handled with extreme caution.
- Scientific name: Hyoscyamus niger
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, the medicinal species is categorized under the genus Hyoscyamus.
| 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 niger, is referred to by several common names across different Chinese linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the specific regional variants for Mainland China (zh-cn), Hong Kong (zh-hk), and Singapore (zh-sg), it is consistently known as 天仙子.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 天仙子 | Wikidata |
| pl | lulek czarny | Wikidata |
| ko | 사리풀 | Wikidata |
| lv | Melnā driģene | Wikidata |
| de | Schwarzes Bilsenkraut | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence throughout the regions of Northern Europe. Its presence has been documented across various territories including Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. In addition to these areas, its distribution extends to the northern reaches of Norway. Together, these locations define its geographical footprint within the northern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Henbane, is a biennial herb characterized by its various therapeutic and toxic components. The entire plant is classified among various medicinal herbs, though caution is required due to its potency. The leaves are typically large and irregularly shaped, providing a significant surface area for the plant's chemical compounds. For medicinal preparations, the roots are often harvested as they contain high concentrations of alkaloids. Additionally, the seeds, or the single seed produced within its capsules, are frequently utilized in traditional pharmacological applications to harness the plant's sedative and antispasmodic properties.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hyoscyamus niger has 52 reported phytochemicals identified across 71 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hyoscyamine, scopolamine, N-methylputrescine, beta-sitosterol, putrescine.
- Total chemicals
- 52
- Scientific sources
- 71
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hyoscyamine | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| scopolamine | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| N-methylputrescine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| putrescine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spermidine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spermine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,24-tetracosanediol diferulate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-O-(9Z,12Z-octadecadienoyl)-3-O-nonadecanoyl glycerol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hyoscyamus niger has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Anticholinergic, Antisecretory, Narcotic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antispasmodic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antisecretory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Narcotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spasmolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hyoscyamus niger has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Malassezia furfur, Tachycardia, asthma, bradycardia, confusion.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Malassezia furfur | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tachycardia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bradycardia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| confusion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatophytes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hallucination | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| motion sickness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mydriasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |