A large number of poisonous herbs can be used in medicine by correctly calculating the dosage of the component. One of the medicinal plants that can get rid of many ailments is black henbane. The plant belongs to the Solanaceae family, it can be biennial or annual. Countries such as Australia, North Africa, Russia, Ukraine and some regions of Asia are considered the homeland of black henbane. The people call the plant scab or mad grass.
Description and chemical composition
Black henbane has soft oblong leaves. A distinctive feature is sticky glandular hairs with a whitish tint. The roots of the plant are vertical, and the flowers are large, oblong in shape. The latter have purple veins that stand out brightly against the dirty yellow background. Plants give off an unpleasant odor that can intoxicate a person.
Black henbane blooms throughout the summer, and the fruits appear in late August and early September. The fruit of the plant rarely exceeds 3 cm. It has the appearance of a two-nested pitcher box, in which the teeth are spread out.
The oldest plant has a rich chemical composition and has been used for medicinal purposes for a very long time. Despite the fact that all black henbane is poisonous, from the aerial part to the seeds, it contains useful components such as potassium, copper, atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine and other compounds. The seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, steroids and phospholipids. Black henbane contains tannins, fatty oil and a number of other elements that can magically affect the human body.
The healing properties of the plant
Almost all the elements of the plant are used in medicine. It is very important to choose the right period for collecting the medicinal herb. In the process of work, it is imperative to ensure protection of the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and mouth.
As a rule, henbane is used internally only as a pain reliever, as well as in the presence of spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs. Ointments based on a herbaceous plant are used to eliminate joint and muscle pains, with neuralgia. In the form of rectal suppositories, drugs are prescribed to reduce and completely eliminate pain in the colon, urethra and in spasms of smooth muscles of the cervix.
In the field of ophthalmology, drops based on black henbane are prescribed for patients to dilate the pupil, in the treatment of iritis and iridocyclitis. People with the following diseases are also shown preparations from a medicinal plant:
- bronchial asthma;
- hysteria;
- nervous tic;
- bowel and bladder spasms;
- convulsions;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- pathological menopause;
- joint diseases;
- emotional disturbances;
- children’s stuttering.
All that is required of the patient is adherence to the dosage and consultation with a specialist.
Contraindications for use
Since black henbane belongs to poisonous plants, it is necessary to use preparations based on it with extreme caution. Ideally, the appointment is made by the attending physician. In any case, before you start taking the medication, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications for use:
- glaucoma;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 12 years old.
In addition, having found one of the symptoms – dry mucous membranes, thirst, acute psychosis, difficulty swallowing – you must immediately stop taking the drug. In case of an overdose, it is necessary to call an ambulance, first aid to the victim should include gastric lavage and the intake of adsorbents.
