Herbal Lore
Anne Calzada Herbalist
Copyright October 2011

The leaves begin to fall and a distinctive chill fills the air. Color explodes around the landscape and pumpkins grace the steps and porches of many a home. It is autumn and this is the month of October. What better time to delve into a little herbal lore! Some plants have a legendary shadow side that continues to flourish and intrigue today. These plants are known for psychoactive influence and poisonous attributions. This article is NOT recommending the usage, but educating to the historical legend in reference to these powerful herbs. These plants are to be respected not only because they are, but also because they demand it and if you don’t they will let you know by causing hallucinations, delirium, numbness, vision loss, paralysis and death. Beware; they are all poisonous and ultimately deadly. DO NOT USE!

Aconite Aconitum napellus

Known also as monkshood or wolfbane it is one of the most poisonous and deadliest plants known. It is prepared homeopathically and used to reduce bleeding, shock, trauma and extreme fear. The root is traditionally used containing several toxic alkaloids, including aconitine. Aconite has been used to coat arrowheads for use on animals and even humans and was believed to have been used in Europe to eradicate the wolf population. Old English legend says that it helped to remove the affliction of being a werewolf! Aconite and Belladonna are said to be the two main ingredients in “flying ointments”.

Belladonna Atropa belladonna

Also known as deadly nightshade. The name Belladonna means ‘beautiful lady” and is thought to be derived from Italian women who were said to enhance their beauty by using it to dilate their pupils. Unfortunately continued use led to blindness. The Greek Goddess of fate, Atropos is said to have used this plant to “cut the thread of life”, hence the Latin name Atropa. Legend has it that this plant belongs to the devil who tends and looks after it except for one night when he gives up his duty in preparation of Walpurgis.

Homeopathically prepared, it is used for food poisoning and a suddenness of symptom onset. It contains atropine which is an important alkaloid used as an effective antidote to certain poisons and chemicals. Atropine has also been used in ophthalmology to dilate the pupils. Belladonna is known to cause delirium and terrible hallucinations. Perhaps this is why it was used in midnight brews and flying ointments.

Hemlock Conium maculatum

Known also as poison and water hemlock, this plant was used in ancient Greece to poison condemned prisoners, the most notable poisoning recorded being Socrates. Ancient Greek and Arab physicians have used it for it’s anti-spasmodic properties. In modern times, discontinued use has been established due to the fact that therapeutic and toxic doses are ever so slight. Old English legend says that the purple streaks on the stems represent the brand put on Cain’s brow after he committed murder. Ingested, this plant causes paralysis of neuromuscular function, respiratory paralysis and eventual death.

Henbane Hyoscyamus niger

Having anesthetic and hallucinogenic properties, it has been used to induce sedation. Prepared homeopathically, it is used for nervous system afflictions and spasmodic affections. In Greek legend, it is said that the dead in Hades were crowned with henbane as they wandered and passed the river Styx. Used in the dark arts and diabolism for its power over victims. Literature explains that it was used in flying ointments and midnight brews and in return causing prolific delirious behavior and hallucinations.

Mandrake Atropa mandragora

Known as mayapple or sorcerer’s root. It has been used as an emetic and an anesthetic. Legend has it that mandrake is endowed with powers against demoniacal possession. Mandrake roots resemble the figure of a human being and thus were worn and adorned homes as an amulet of protection and to ward off the “evil eye”. Legend says that the scream of the mandrake root would kill any person unfortunate enough to hear it. The end of the root was tied to a dog, as it would run to follow its master, the plant would be pulled from the ground. Mandrake was said to be kept in cloth and hidden in a cupboard, as possession would lead to arrest for witchcraft.

There are many other plants that contain poisonous properties and that have recorded usage through out time such as foxglove, poppies, baneberry, poison ivy, death camas and more. Herbs are living beings and are not necessarily good or bad. They just are.

Most of our pharmaceutical advancement has come from plants. Our herbal heritage has been passed down as well. Ages ago it was learned from usage, experimentation and animal observation. Handed down from generations back before there were herbals to look through. We are fortunate through the trials and tribulations that the language of the plants has sustained man’s folly. Happy Halloween, All Hallow’s Eve, Samhain, Dia De Los Muertos. All Saint’s Day and a Blessed Autumn!