White Henbane - Seeds

Shipping Information

At Legba, we pay special attention to every step of your experience, including when our precious White Henbane seeds leave our garden to join yours. Here's how we ensure that every order reaches you in the best possible conditions:

Quality Packaging : Our seeds are carefully packaged in airtight doypacks to guarantee their freshness and viability until arrival. Each sachet contains 50 seeds carefully selected from our mother plants, demonstrating our commitment to quality and continuity of species.

Flexible Shipping Options : For orders consisting only of seeds, we opt for sending by tracked letter, allowing you to trace the journey of your package until its receipt. This option guarantees both speed and reliability, with an estimated delivery time of between 2 and 3 working days after shipment.

Extended Delivery : For larger orders or orders including other items in addition to seeds, we offer shipping options via Colissimo and Point Relais. These services provide greater flexibility in receiving your order, allowing you to choose the delivery method that best suits your schedule and preferences.

Eco Commitment : In line with our values, we ensure that our shipping materials are environmentally friendly, minimizing the ecological impact of our operations and contributing to a more sustainable future.

At Legba, every detail counts. From the careful selection of each seed to the preparation of your order, we do everything we can to ensure that the experience of growing White Henbane is both enriching and respectful of our planet.

Botanical Description of White Henbane

The White Henbane, or Hyoscyamus Albus , is a plant that awakens curiosity as much as the imagination. It belongs to the Solanaceae family, which also includes well-known specimens like tomato and belladonna. Non-perennial, that is to say it does not live more than two years, this biannual plant reveals yellowish-white flowers, characterized by their purple centers and their protruding stamens which catch the eye.

Its active ingredients, notably alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, are recognized for their pharmacological properties. These compounds must be handled with extreme caution as they can be toxic. The plant is generally not used for animals due to its high toxicity.

Uses of White Henbane

In the garden : Despite its delicate nature, White Henbane can be an intriguing addition to the garden, not only for its aesthetic but also for its rich history.

Ornamental use : With its distinctive flowers and dense leaves, it brings a touch of originality to floral arrangements.

Medicinal use : In herbal medicine, the plant is historically renowned for its relaxing and sedative properties. However, its use requires professional expertise due to the potency of its constituents.

For everyday ailments : In the past, Henbane was sometimes included in preparations intended to soothe conditions related to nerve pain, using paraphrased terms to avoid direct medical claims.

It is crucial to note that the consumption of White Henbane is not recommended due to its high toxicity. The information provided here is for educational purposes and should not be used for self-medication. Due to its toxic nature, Henbane should be handled with caution and always under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

• Biannual : Plant whose life cycle extends over two years – the first for leafy development, the second for flowering and fruiting, after which it dies.

Guide to Growing White Henbane

SOWING :

• Type of soil : Opt for a well-drained, light, humus-rich potting soil.
• Watering : Keep the substrate moist but never soggy to prevent seed rot.
• Sowing temperature : A temperature around 20°C is ideal for sowing.
• Sowing time : Sow in spring, after the last frost for cold regions, or in autumn in milder climates.
• Flowering time : Expect to see flowers bloom from late spring to early summer of the second year.

CULTURE AND CARE :

• Temperature and exposure : The adult plant prefers a sunny or partial shade exposure with a moderate temperature.
• Hardiness : The White Henbane is moderately hardy, it supports temperatures down to -5°C.
• Fruiting : Fruits generally appear after flowering, during the summer of the second year.
• Germination time : Seeds take an average of 2 to 4 weeks to germinate after sowing.

Origin of name : Dioscorides, an ancient Greek botanist and physician, named the plant "Hyoscyamus" based on his observation of the plant's effects on pigs and perhaps its human-like physical form. bean.

This reflects a nomenclature approach common at the time, where notable characteristics or animal reactions to a plant could influence its name.

The plant was possibly eaten by scavenging pigs, and the reaction they showed may have been distinctive enough to merit the name.

The toxic nature of the plant would have been well known, and as pigs have a natural tendency to snack on various plants, they may have suffered visible effects after consuming Henbane, leading to the direct association in its name .

As for the term "Albus", it refers to the white hue of the flower of the Henbane variety concerned, providing a distinctive contrast to the dark heart and markings of the flower. This well illustrates the botanical tradition of naming plants according to their most striking physical characteristics.

These two terms, when used in tandem, therefore describe a plant known for its toxic potential (associated with pigs) and for the color of its flowers (white).

1. Symbol of Hex : In European folklore, White Henbane is often associated with witchcraft and black magic, used by witches to summon visions and spirits.
2. Medicinal Metaphor : Despite its toxicity, Henbane was used in ancient medicine for its sedative properties, illustrating the fine line between poison and cure.
3. The eye of the storm : Its scientific name Hyoscyamus niger reflects the tumult it can cause; “hyos” meaning pork and “cyamus” bean, an allusion to its dangerous and unpredictable nature.
4. A Literary Muse : The White Henbane is cited in Shakespeare's works as a metaphor for madness, emphasizing its influence on the human mind.
5. The ancient love potion : In ancient Rome, it was sometimes integrated into love potions, although its power made it as formidable as it was desirable.
6. Botanical siren song : With its alluring flowers and captivating scent, it is like the siren song to pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies despite its poisonous potential.
7. A bridge between worlds : In some shamanic traditions, White Henbane was considered a plant of power, used to cross boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds.
8. Elixir of Ancient Warriors : Legendary Viking warriors are said to have consumed Henbane to numb themselves to fear and pain before battle.
9. A Star in Herbalism : Henbane features in ancient herbalism texts, including those of the famous medieval botanist, Hildegard von Bingen, who commented on both its dangers and benefits.

Q1: How to sow White Henbane seeds to ensure good germination?
A1: To sow White Henbane seeds, prepare light, well-drained soil, sow them on the surface without completely covering them and maintain constant humidity without saturating the soil. The ideal temperature for germination is around 20°C.

Q2: What is the flowering time for White Henbane seeds once planted?
A2: White Henbane seeds generally flower in late spring or early summer, especially in their second year of growth, after sowing the previous spring.

Q3: What precautions should I take when handling White Henbane seeds?
A3: It is essential to handle White Henbane seeds with care, using gloves, as they contain potentially toxic substances. Care must also be taken to keep them out of reach of children and animals.

Q4: What is the delivery time for White Henbane seeds?
A4: White Henbane seeds are delivered within 2 to 3 working days via tracked letter, allowing you to quickly start growing.

Q5: How to ensure successful cultivation of White Henbane in a pot?
A5: To grow White Henbane in a pot, choose a container with good drainage, use fertile potting soil and place the pot in a location with sunny to partial shade. Water moderately to avoid waterlogging of the roots.

At Legba, our passion for botany translates into a cultivation practice that honors the richness of nature and the power of White Henbane. We adopt an ecological approach, establishing a natural balance between auxiliary organisms and pests, thus guaranteeing the healthy growth of our plants without the use of any chemicals, including those certified organic. Rainwater, collected and used sparingly, is our only source of irrigation, reflecting our commitment to the conservation of natural resources.

Aware of the power and specificity of White Henbane, we would like to inform our customers of the legislation in force in France concerning the sale and cultivation of these seeds. Although White Henbane is recognized for its historical and medicinal properties, its cultivation is strictly regulated due to its toxic nature. At Legba, we ensure that all our seeds are sold in compliance with legal standards, accompanied by expert advice on their safe handling and responsible use. We encourage our customers to familiarize themselves with local regulations before embarking on growing White Henbane, to ensure an experience that is both rewarding and compliant with safety guidelines.

Our dedication to environmentally friendly cultivation and the dissemination of accurate knowledge about White Henbane aims to inspire a community of gardeners and botanists aware of the importance of preserving the integrity of our natural heritage while exploring the richness of the world's flora. At Legba, “At the Crossroads of Plants and Man”, we are proud to build a bridge between the fascinating botanical past of White Henbane and modern, sustainable and ethical gardening practices.