Hyoscyamus niger
Henbane, common henbane, black henbane, hairy henbane, stinking nightshade, stinking Roger, hog’s bean, cassilata. · Plant · Solanaceae
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.
Key symptoms
- behavioral problems with erotic tendencies
- delirium and paranoia
- spasmodic cough
- laughter at inappropriate times
Worse (aggravation)
- Night; symptoms worse after dark and during night
- Lying down; complaints worsen in recumbent position
- Mental excitement and emotional disturbance
- Touch and pressure aggravate complaints
- Stooping; head symptoms worse on stooping
Better (amelioration)
- Stooping
Henbane (HYOSCYAMUS)
Disturbs the nervous system profoundly. It is as if some diabolical force took possession of the brain and prevented its functions. It causes a perfect picture of mania of a quarrelsome and obscene character. Inclined to be unseemly and immodest in acts, gestures and expressions. Very talkative, and persists in stripping herself, or uncovering genitals. Is jealous, afraid of being poisoned, etc. Its symptoms also point to weakness and nervous agitation; hence typhoid and other infections with coma vigil. Tremulous weakness and twitching of tendons. Subsultus tendinum. Muscular twitchings, spasmodic affections, generally with delirium. Non-inflammatory cerebral activity. Toxic gastritis.
Mind
Very suspicious. Talkative, obscene, lascivious mania, uncovers body; jealous, foolish. Great hilarity; inclined to laugh at everything. Delirium, with attempt to run away. Low, muttering speech; constant carphologia, deep stupor.
Head
Feels light and confused. Vertigo as if intoxicated. Brain feels loose, fluctuating. Inflammation of brain, with unconsciousness; head is shaken to and fro.
Eyes
Pupils dilated, sparkling, fixed. Eyes open, but does not pay attention; downcast and dull, fixed. Strabismus. Spasmodic closing of lids. Diplopia. Objects have colored borders.
Mouth
Tongue dry, red, cracked, stiff and immovable, protruded with difficulty; speech impaired. Foams at mouth. Teeth covered with sordes. Lower jaw drops.
Throat
Stinging dryness. Constriction. Cannot swallow liquids. Uvula elongated.
Stomach
Hiccough, eructations empty, bitter. Nausea, with vertigo. Vomiting, with convulsions; hæmatemesis; violent cramps, relieved by vomiting; burning in stomach; epigastrium tender. After irritating food.
Abdomen
Colic, as if abdomen would burst. Distention. Colic, with vomiting, belching, hiccough screaming. Tympanites. Red spots on abdomen.
Stool
Diarrhœa, colicky, pains; involuntary, aggravated by mental excitement or during sleep. Diarrhœa during the lying-in period. Involuntary defecation.
Urine
Involuntary micturition. Bladder paralyzed. Has no will to urinate (Caust).
Male
Impotence. Lascivious; exposes his person; plays with genitals during fever.
Female
Before menses, hysterical spasms. Excited sexual desire. During menses, convulsive movements, urinary flux and sweat. Lochia suppressed. Spasms of pregnant women. Puerperal mania.
Chest
Suffocating fits. Spasm, forcing bending forward. Dry, spasmodic cough at night (worse lying down; better sitting up), from itching in the throat, as if uvula were too long. Hæmoptysis.
Extremities
Picking at bed-clothes; plays with hands; reaches out for things. Epileptic attacks ending in deep sleep. Spasms and convulsions. Cramps in calves and toes. Child sobs and cries without waking.
Sleep
Intense sleeplessness. Sopor, with convulsions. Starts up frightened. Coma vigil.
Nerves
Great restlessness; every muscle twitches. Will not be covered.
Modalities
Worse, at night, during menses, after eating, when lying down. Better, stooping.
Relationship
Antidotes: Bell; Camph.
Compare: Bellad; Stram; Agaric; Gels.
Hyosc hydrobrom.--Scopolamine hydrobromide (Paralysis agitans); tremors of disseminated sclerosis. Sleeplessness and nervous agitation. Dry cough in phthisis. Similar in its effects to alcohol, both recent and remote. Corresponds to the effects of strong poisons introduced into or generated within the body. Symptoms of uræmia and acute nervous exhaustion. A remedy for shock. Third and fourth dec trituration. In physiological dosage (1-200 gr) mania and chorea; insomnia. Scopola (Japanese Belladonna)-chemically identical with Hyoscine (Joyous delirium, licking of lips and smacking of mouth; sleepless; tries to get out of bed; sees cats, picks imaginary hairs, warms hands before imaginary fire, etc).
Dose
Sixth, to 200th potency.
Nervous system
Hyoscyamus is hill of convulsions, contractions, trembling, quivering and jerkings of the muscles. Convulsions in vigorous people, coming on with great violence. Convulsions that involve the whole economy, with unconsciousness, coming on in the night. Convulsions in women at the menstrual period; and then the lesser convulsions of single muscles, and contractions of single muscles.
Little jerkings and twitchings. In low forms of the disease it takes on the latter, jerkings and twitchings of muscles. In low typhoid states where there is great prostration with twitching. He feels it himself if conscious, enough to realize it, but others see it. An evidence of great prostration of the nervous system. Sliding down in bed, twitching of the muscles.
Hyoscamus niger. Henbane. N. O. Solanaceæ. Tincture of fresh plant.
Clinical
Amaurosis. Angina pectoris. Bladder, paralysis of. Bronchitis. Chorea. Coma vigil. Cough. Delirium tremens. Diarrhœa. Dysmenorrhœa. Enteric fever. Epilepsy. Epistaxis. Erotomania. Eyes, affections of. Hæmoptysis. Hæmorrhages. Hiccough. Hydrophobia. Hypochondriasis. Lochia, suppressed. Mania. Meningitis. Mind, affections of. Neuralgia. Night-blindness. Nymphomania. Paralysis. Paralysis agitans. Parotitis. Pneumonia. Puerperal mania. Rage. Sleep, disordered. Stammering. Tetanus. Toothache. Urine, retention of. Vision, disorders of.
Characteristics
Hyoscyamus ("Hog-bean") is nearly allied to Belladonna botanically, and in pathogenetic action the two drugs are much alike in their main features. But when examined closely, their differences are sufficiently well marked to render their distinction easy. Though sometimes growing near rivers, Bell. flourishes best in a chalky soil. Hyo. is found growing on old rubbish …
Henbane (Solanaceae.)
Persons of sanguine temperament; who are irritable, nervous, hysterical. Convulsions: of children, from fright or the irritation of intestinal worms (Cina); during labor; during the peurperal state; after meals, child vomits, sudden shriek, then insensible. Diseases with increased cerebral activity, but non-inflammatory in type; hysteria or delirium tremens; delirium, with resplessness, jumps out of bed, tries ot escape; makes irrelevant answers; thinks he is in the wrong place; talks of imaginary doings, but has no wants and makes no complaints. In delirium, Hyoscyamus occupies a place midway between Belladonna and Strammonium; lacks the constant cerebral congestion of the former and the fierce rage and maniacal delirium of the latter. Spasms: without conciousness, very restless; every muscle in the body twitches, from the eyes to the toes (with conciousness, Nux). Fears: being alone; poison; being bitten; being sold; to eat or drink; to take what is offered; suspicious, of some plot. Bad …
Mind
Entire loss of consciousness; sees persons who are not, and have not been present; loss of sight and hearing.
Mind
Involuntary loud laughter, with silly actions, convulsive trembling.
Mind
Muttering, with picking of the bed-clothes.
Mind
Lascivious furor, without modesty; wishes to uncover and expose herself.
Hearing and Ears
Hardness of hearing, as if stupefied, especially after apoplexy.
Male Sexual Organs
Sexual desire excessive; lascivious; exposes his person.
Female Sexual Organs
Lascivious furore without modesty; tries to uncover and expose herself.
Respiratory Organs
Dry spasmodic cough at night, < on lying down, > by sitting up.
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Involuntary loud laughter with silly actions, convulsive trembling
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Lascivious furor without modesty, she wishes to uncover and expose herself.
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Picking of the bed-covers, or of the face.
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Inclined to be vexed, ailments from vexation.
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Jealousy, quarrelsome, scolding.
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Ailments from disappointed love.
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Fear of being poisoned or sold, complains of Imaginary wrongs.
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Fearfulness, anxiety, ailments from fright.
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Aversion to light and company.
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Delirium, murmuring, untelligible chattering, incoherent talk of business, fears, etc. Does not know anybody, has no wants, closed eyes, answers when spoken to, sinking back into apparent unconsciousness.
Phatak's chapter on Hyoscyamus niger is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
