A Witch's Garden: Henbane

Disclaimer

This is NOT a page about Wiccans or neo-pagans, and I do not advocate the belief that Wiccans are Satan-worshippers and/or baby-killers. I am well aware that they are not. This is a starting point for historical research into the great witch craze of 1100-1700 AD. And please, don't ask me for spells.

Henbane

Henbane is a poisonous member of the belladonna family. It has a malodorous and sticky foliage. Henbane was used in the preparation of flying ointments, and fumes from burning henbane were recommended as an aid to summoning demons (Huxley 2202).

Henbane seeds and the oil they yielded were among the most important medicines available to the doctors of the late Middle Ages and the beginnings of the modern era. Henbane (German = Bilsenkraut or pilsener krut) was added to 'pilsner' Beer and mixed into the Witches' Ointments. In the infamous lascivious bath houses, henbane seeds were poured onto heating plates and used as a fumigant to incite love and increase pleasure (Rätsch 94).

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A Witch's Garden is copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.
The preceding botanic illustration is from The Virtual Garden Search Engine, part of the Time Life Electronic Encyclopedia.