Hyoscymus niger

Hyoscyamus niger L.

Family: Solanaceae

Medicinal plants

Found at higher altitudes in Himalayas.

Uses: Hyoscyamus niger has a pungent, bitter taste (Rasa), a pungent sensation after digestion (Vipaka), and a hot potency (Virya). It vitiates Pitta Dosha and balances the Vata and Kapha Doshas. It has a dry quality (Guna). It helps with epilepsy, sleeplessness, psychiatric disorders, edema, pain, and dyspnea.

Toxicology: Excessive intake may result in pharyngitis, vertigo, insanity, coma, unconsciousness, severe pallor, nausea, weakness, and laxity of the body. Large dosages of the plant, particularly the seeds, can have toxic side effects that are comparable to Dhatura poisoning, including dry mouth, giddiness, delirium, and blurred vision.