Hyoscyamus niger L.

 

Hyoscyamus niger L.

Family: Solanaceae.

Description: Erect, hairy, sticky, odorous annual or biennial herb, growing to about 0.75‑1.5 m high under favorable conditions. Leaves: Basal leaves petiolate; leaf blades ovate‑lanceolate to oblong, coarsely toothed or irregularly pinnatifid; cauline leaves sessile or clasping, sometimes lobed. Flowers: Cup‑ or bell‑shaped (campanulate), about 2‑3 cm diameter; yellowish or pale yellow with purple veins, often darker in centre; calyx tubular or campanulate, enlarging in fruit; fruit is capsule (pyxis) that dehisces via a lid.

Distribution (World & India): Global / general: Native in temperate Eurasia, NW Africa; widespread in western Asia; introduced into many regions. Altitude range: Typically found in India (Himalayan region) between ~ 1,500 to 3,700 m above sea level. In India: Occurs in western Himalayas from Kashmir to Uttarakhnad. Cultivated in some areas, also found wild in disturbed/waste places and roadsides.

IUCN Status / Conservation: No formal IUCN Red List status found in sources for Hyoscyamus niger specifically. However, some regional studies (e.g. Trans‑Himalaya) consider it threatened in cold‑desert regions because of limited seed germination, habitat pressures. Seeds show dormancy; propagation and conservation aided by seed pre‑treatments (cold stratification, nitrates, etc.) to improve germination.

Medicinal Properties & Traditional Uses (in India):

Chemical Constituents: Contains tropane alkaloids: hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine (hyoscine) among principal ones. Also other compounds: possibly flavonoids, etc., as per general medicinal plant literature.

Pharmacological / Therapeutic Effects:

Use	Details / Mode of Use
Sedative / Narcotic / Analgesic	For neuralgia, painful conditions, toothache, spasms.
Respiratory ailments	Used for heavy coughs, asthma, cough especially lying down.
Gastrointestinal / Spasms	To relieve stomach cramps, colic, griping, also for dysentery etc.
Insomnia, Nervous disorders	Traditions use for sleeplessness, restlessness, mania, delirium.
Anti‑inflammatory, Possibly antimicrobial	Some evidence of antibacterial / antifungal, anti‑pyretic actions.

How it’s Used (Preparation, Parts, Varieties): Part used: Seeds, leaves, flowering tops. Preparation / processing: Seeds often detoxified (“Mudabbar”) before medicinal use in Unani texts. Pre‑treatments for germination (cold stratification, nitrates, etc.).  Varieties: Annual and biennial forms; some named varieties (e.g. var. annuus, var. chinensis) noted. Taste / Potency: Bitter, pungent; strong narcotic / sedative potency; high toxicity risk. (Traditional texts caution use.). Dose / caution: Very small doses only; overdose may cause severe side effects such as hallucinations, delirium, hyperthermia, respiratory and cardiac effects. Use under expert supervision.

Uses in India (Examples): Seeds known as “Khurasani ajwain” used in Unani, Ayurveda, and folk remedies. Used for toothache (seeds, possibly leaves), cough, respiratory conditions, nervous conditions (mania, delirium), stomach cramps, pain, insomnia.

Status & Conservation: Considered threatened / endangered in certain cold‑desert / high altitude regions due to low germination, habitat fragility. Conservation measures include improving propagation via seed pre‑treatments; possibly cultivation to reduce pressure on wild populations.