Hyoscyamus, or Henbane, consists of the dried leaves and flowering tops of Hyos-cyamus niger (Fam. Solanaceae), a biennial herb native to Eurasia, but cultivated in England and North America.

Properties:

Hyoscyamus possesses two alkaloids fairly common to the Solanacece - Hyoscy-amine and Hyoscine (or Scopolamine). To these alkaloids the drug owes its chief activity. Hyoscyamine is a peripheral paralyzant similar to atropine, while Scopolamine is a cerebral sedative. Dose of Hyoscyamus, 0.25 Gm.; of Hyoscyamine Hydro-bromide, 0.0003 Gm.; of Scopolamine, 0.0003 Gm.

Official preparations of Hyoscyamus are: the Extract, Fluidextract, and Tincture.