white henbane

plant

Also known as: Hyoscyamus albus

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June 29, 2026

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White henbane (Hyoscyamus albus) is a highly toxic plant belonging to the nightshade family, native to Eurasia and naturalized globally. It is one of the species from which medicinal alkaloids like atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine can be extracted for pharmaceutical use. These alkaloids, particularly hyoscyamine, are powerful poisons. The plant itself has a strong, unpleasant odor and features lobed leaves and funnel-shaped flowers with purple veins. Henbane can be either an annual or a biennial, with the biennial form developing a thick fleshy root in its first year. Ingesting the plant can be fatal.12

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henbane
muticus) and white henbane (H. albus), yield three medicinal alkaloids—atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine—that can be purified for use in pharmaceuticals. The plants also are sometimes used in herbal and folk medicine. The leaves are used in illicit preparations of smoking mixtures and, in India, as a
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muticus) and white henbane (H. albus), yield three medicinal alkaloids—atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine—that can be purified for use in pharmaceuticals. The plants also are sometimes used in herbal and folk medicine. The leaves are used in illicit preparations of smoking mixtures and, in India, as a
Read More