Evidence supporting the use of: Henbane
For the body system: Bladder

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, including those related to the bladder and urinary tract. In medieval European herbalism and some traditional Middle Eastern systems of medicine, henbane was used as an antispasmodic and analgesic agent to relieve urinary tract discomfort, bladder spasms, and sometimes to promote urination in cases of painful or difficult micturition. The plant contains tropane alkaloids (such as hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine), which are known to have anticholinergic effects, reducing smooth muscle spasms and secretions. These properties are the likely basis for its historical use in bladder conditions, such as overactive bladder or cystitis, where muscle spasms are symptomatic.

However, henbane is recognized for its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window, and its use has largely fallen out of favor in modern herbal and medical practice due to the risk of serious side effects, including delirium, hallucinations, and even death. While there is a pharmacological basis for its traditional use, there is limited to no modern clinical evidence validating its efficacy or safety for bladder conditions. Most references to its use for the bladder come from historical texts rather than contemporary scientific research. Therefore, while the traditional use is documented, the overall evidence for its effectiveness and safety is weak.

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