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Of Yellow Henbane, or English Tabaco

The Description.

YEllow Henbane groweth to the height of two cubits: the stalke is thicke, fat, and green of colour, ful of a spongeous pith, and is divided into sundry branches, set with smooth and even leaves, thicke and full of juice. The floures grow at the tops of the branches, orderly placed, of a pale yellow color, somthing lesser than those of the black Henbane. The cups wherein the floures do stand, are like, but lesser, tenderer, and without sharpe points, wherein is set the huske or cod somwhat round, full of very smal seed like the seed of marjerom. The root is small and threddy.

The Place.

Yellow Henbane is sowne in gardens, where it doth prosper exceedingly, insomuch that it cannot be destroied where it hath once sown it self, & it is dispersed into most parts of London.

The Time.

It floureth in the summer moneths, and oftentimes till Autumne be farre spent, in which time the seed commeth to perfection.

The Names.

Yellow Henbane is called Hyoscyamus luteus: of some, Nicotiana, of Nicot a Frenchman that brought the seeds from the Indies, as also the seeds of the true Tabaco, whereof this hath bin taken for a kind; insomuch that Lobel hath called it Dubius Hyoscyamus, or doubtfull Henbane, as a plant participating of Henbane and Tabaco: and it is used of divers in stead of Tabaco, and called by the same name, for that it hath bin brought from Trinidada, a place so called in the Indies, as also from Virginia and other places, for Tabaco; and doubtlesse, taken in smoke it worketh the same kind of drunkennesse that the right Tabaco doth.

The Vertues.

This herb availeth against all botches, and such like, beeing made into an unguent or salve as followeth: Take of the greene leaves three pounds and an halfe, stampe them very smal in a stone mortar; of oile Olive one quart: set them to boile in a brasse pan or such like, upon a gentle fire, continually stirring it untill the herbs seem blacke, and wil not boile or bubble any more: then shall you have an excellent green oile; which beeing strained from the feces or drosse, put the cleare and strained oile to the fire again, adding therto of wax half a pound, of rosen foure ounces, and of good turpentine two ounces: melt them all together, and keepe it in pots for your use, to cure all cuts or hurts in the head; wherewith I have gotten both crownes and credit.

It is used of some in stead of Tabaco, but to small purpose or profit, although it doth stupifie or dull the sences, and cause that kind of giddines that Tabaco doth, and likewise spitting, which any other herb of hot temperature will do, as Rosemary, Time, Winter-Savorie, sweet Marjerome, and such like: any of the which I like better to be taken in smoke, than this kind of doubtful Henbane.