Henbane: The Dark Plant Behind Witches & Warriors

Step into the mysterious world of henbane, the dark plant entwined with witches, warriors, and ancient rituals. In this captivating episode of "The History of Plants," I explore henbane's shadowy past—from its role in Viking berserker rage to its eerie presence in witchcraft and medieval poisonings. Discover how this "stinky nightshade" has influenced history, mythology, and even modern medicine. What secrets lie in its powerful chemistry, and how did it blur the lines between healing and harm, reality and hallucination?  Join me as I uncover the untamed power of henbane and its haunting legacy. If you’re into tales of ancient plants, folklore, and the strange ways nature and humanity intertwine, this episode is for you!  Chapters: 0:00 Intro 00:54 - Henbane Origins and History 04:05 - The Chemistry Behind Henbane's Power 7:09 - Henbane: Catalyst for Berserker Rage 10:51 - Henbane in Flying Ointments 12:45 - Henbane and Witch Trials 13:46 - Henbane in Literature and Culture Sources:  https://poisonousplants.cvmbs.colostate.edu/plant/6 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4224707/ https://academic.oup.com/fqs/article/doi/10.1093/fqsafe/fyad043/7313441?login=false https://www.summitcountyutah.gov/1238/12136/Black-Henbane https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/816657-overview?form=fpf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557825/ https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/henbane-medicine-andor-magic/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/evidence-of-the-intentional-use-of-black-henbane-hyoscyamus-niger-in-the-roman-netherlands/A06E000B17E1642C878E469157D5131C  https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/religion-magic-death-and-rituals/a-seeress-from-fyrkat/  https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/henbane.shtml  https://www.jstor.org/stable/4251861  https://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280210350_POISONS_POISONING_AND_THE_DRUG_TRADE_IN_ANCIENT_ROME  https://sites.usc.edu/mousavi/research/neural-probes-for-acetylcholine/ https://archive.org/details/SnorreSturlesons000366019v0SnorReyk/page/n9/mode/2up  https://www.wvnstv.com/digital-exclusives/five-of-the-best-superpowers-to-have/ https://www.thetoptens.com/list/most-wanted-superpowers/ https://www.comicbookherald.com/superpowers-reviewed-01-flight/ https://www.thisamericanlife.org/178/superpowers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Horns_of_Gallehus  https://archive.org/details/hin-wel-all-00002756-001/page/n193/mode/2up  https://www.monstrous.com/flying-ointment/ https://doctorlib.org/herbal/encyclopedia-psychoactive-plants-ethnopharmacology/164.html  https://www.alchemy-works.com/hyoscyamus_niger.html#gsc.tab=0  https://www.nesl.edu/blog/detail/a-true-legal-horror-story-the-laws-leading-to-the-salem-witch-trials  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98425713q4o  https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/documents/publications/extension_publications/black_henbane.pdf  Karsten’s work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404578/  Subscribe to The History of Plants – Strange Botany, Poisonous Legends & Forgotten Flora on Soundwise