Step into the mysterious world of henbane, the dark plant entwined with witches, warriors, and ancient rituals. In this captivating episode of "The History of Plants," I explore henbane's shadowy past—from its role in Viking berserker rage to its eerie presence in witchcraft and medieval poisonings. Discover how this "stinky nightshade" has influenced history, mythology, and even modern medicine. What secrets lie in its powerful chemistry, and how did it blur the lines between healing and harm, reality and hallucination? 

Join me as I uncover the untamed power of henbane and its haunting legacy. If you’re into tales of ancient plants, folklore, and the strange ways nature and humanity intertwine, this episode is for you! 
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
00:54 - Henbane Origins and History
04:05 - The Chemistry Behind Henbane's Power
7:09 - Henbane: Catalyst for Berserker Rage
10:51 - Henbane in Flying Ointments
12:45 - Henbane and Witch Trials
13:46 - Henbane in Literature and Culture

Sources: 
https://poisonousplants.cvmbs.colostate.edu/plant/6
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4224707/
https://academic.oup.com/fqs/article/doi/10.1093/fqsafe/fyad043/7313441?login=false
https://www.summitcountyutah.gov/1238/12136/Black-Henbane
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/816657-overview?form=fpf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557825/
https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/henbane-medicine-andor-magic/
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/evidence-of-the-intentional-use-of-black-henbane-hyoscyamus-niger-in-the-roman-netherlands/A06E000B17E1642C878E469157D5131C 
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/religion-magic-death-and-rituals/a-seeress-from-fyrkat/ 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/henbane.shtml 
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4251861 
https://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280210350_POISONS_POISONING_AND_THE_DRUG_TRADE_IN_ANCIENT_ROME 
https://sites.usc.edu/mousavi/research/neural-probes-for-acetylcholine/
https://archive.org/details/SnorreSturlesons000366019v0SnorReyk/page/n9/mode/2up 
https://www.wvnstv.com/digital-exclusives/five-of-the-best-superpowers-to-have/
https://www.thetoptens.com/list/most-wanted-superpowers/
https://www.comicbookherald.com/superpowers-reviewed-01-flight/
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/178/superpowers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Horns_of_Gallehus 
https://archive.org/details/hin-wel-all-00002756-001/page/n193/mode/2up 
https://www.monstrous.com/flying-ointment/
https://doctorlib.org/herbal/encyclopedia-psychoactive-plants-ethnopharmacology/164.html 
https://www.alchemy-works.com/hyoscyamus_niger.html#gsc.tab=0 
https://www.nesl.edu/blog/detail/a-true-legal-horror-story-the-laws-leading-to-the-salem-witch-trials 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen 
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98425713q4o 
https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/documents/publications/extension_publications/black_henbane.pdf 

Karsten’s work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404578/ 
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