Hyoscyamus

Hyoscyamus niger

Origin
Native to southern Europe and western Asia, and now found throughout much of Europe and America.

Background
Used in herbalism as a painkiller and sedative for urinary tract pain and nervous spasms. Herbalists also massage in the oil externally for nerve pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Preparation
The whole fresh plant in flower, including the root, is chopped finely and steeped in alcohol for ten days. It is then diluted and succussed.

Common Names
Henbane, common henbane, black henbane, hairy henbane, stinking nightshade, stinking Roger, hog's bean, cassilata.

HENBANE The antispasmodic properties of this plant are used by herbalists to relieve tremors and rigidity during the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Key Symptoms

behavioral problems with erotic tendencies; delirium and paranoia; spasmodic cough; laughter at inappropriate times

Henbane was advocated by the Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century CE as a painkiller and soporific. The Latin name comes from the Greek hys, "pig," and kyamos, "bean"—perhaps because pigs are not poisoned by eating it, while humans are. It was the method by which Shakespeare had Hamlet's father murdered, and the famous Dr. Crippen used henbane to murder his wife. Hyoscyamus, proved by Hahnemann in 1805, is used for emotional disorders and coughs.

Remedy Profile

Hyoscyamus is the best remedy for those with paranoid traits and behavioral problems. The typical Hyoscyamus pattern is incoherent, excited behavior, muttering, and obscene sexual exhibitionism. Laughter at inappropriate times is common, as is a sense of being ostracized in a private world.

In addition, Hyoscyamus is used for physical conditions associated with involuntary twitching, such as delirium, and for fits of dry coughing. Homeopaths may prescribe it for certain types of convulsions, such as petit mal, epilepsy, and, in children, febrile convulsions with a rapid rise in temperature. In some cases, the remedy may be given for schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, if accompanied by marked withdrawal, obscenity, and inappropriate laughter.

Behavioral problems

Symptoms: Violent outbursts and a desire to shock, with behavior ranging from simple foolishness to shameless sexual exhibitionism. Characteristic impulses are to appear naked, masturbate, and handle the genitals. Lewdness, promiscuity, or an erotic obsession may develop. Jealousy is common, and in children is often due to a new baby in the family.

Symptoms better: For warmth.

Symptoms worse: For fright; for emotional stress or trauma.

Delirium

Symptoms: Twitching, starts, and facial grimaces, with the typical Hyoscyamus mental state. Mania is possible, triggered by fever, addiction, brain injury, or the trauma of childbirth. Despite a meager flow, there may be a frequent desire to urinate. Constant fumbling with the hands or clothing is common. There may be convulsions, possibly with involuntary urination.

Symptoms better: For sitting up; for walking around; for movement.

Symptoms worse: For touch; for lying down; for emotional stress or trauma.

Paranoia

Symptoms: Severe paranoia and jealousy, with intense suspicion of being watched, deceived, or even poisoned.

Symptoms better: For warmth.

Symptoms worse: Around the time of menstruation; for emotional stress or trauma.

Cough

Symptoms: Dry, spasmodic, tickly cough. Suffocating fits of coughing trigger spasms severe enough to cause doubling over and coughing up of blood.

Symptoms better: For sitting up.

Symptoms worse: For lying down.

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