What is Henbane?
Henbane is a poisonous plant that comes from the family of the night cord. Also known as Black Henbane and Stinking Nightshade, he is also classified as a herb, although his toxic nature tends to limit his cooking potential. Its leaves are green colors and slightly fuzzy, and the plant itself carries light yellow or light purple flowers in the shape of a bell. The plant itself tends to have a somewhat unpleasant odor, which is drastically more evident when it is in its flowering cycle. Henbane grows all over the world, but comes from Eurasia. The first Egyptians referred to the herb around 1,500 BC, and noticed it for their highly intoxicating properties. During the Middle Ages it was a common supplement added to alcoholic beverages to increase their efficiency. Over time, the plant has long been used shamans and hangers of many different cultures and civilizations, most likely as a result of its properties changing minds. Even today he tends to carry a mystical connection with him.
In small doses, Henbane was often used for therapeutic purposes in combination with objects such as Mandrake, Belladonna and deadly night shadow. These elixirs were given to people before medical procedures to help blunt the senses. These mixtures were basically early predecessor of modern anesthesia. When Tonic was too mixed, hallucinations tend to cause, which led to its occasional use more of a recreational than medicinal.
If the tonic Henbane was mixed at too high concentration, the results could be deadly. Sometimes it happened to be intentionally creating a fast -acting poison. Using Henbane together with Mandrake and Deadly Nightshade in these mixtures also helped to consolidate the association of plants of science and magic. In fact, it is a common component in many fictitious witch cooking and magical potions, as well as the basic item in the garden or pantry of many modern witches.
Henbane's shady nature is also derived from many places known to grow. In addition to waste piles, the plant is widely found in many abandoned monasteries and castles and is frequent passengers of older cemeteries. It is believed that the specific nutrients of similar compost that usually occur in these areas support the growth of the plant.
Modern use for Henbane has generally healing nature. Since the plant contains a number of chemical components that are actually a calming nature, it is still used for anesthetic purposes. Chemicals can also be used more specifically in painkillers and muscle relaxers.