Drug info - The road less travelled

[Erytheia]

SWIM had been intending for some time to make a post on this subject (that of less commonly used nightshades) but ran into an ugly period using an ugly drug (GBL to excess, for what it's worth) which put everything in her life on the back-burner. As a result, she's putting the single part that got anywhere near completion up and hoping others will add their knowledge not only of mandrake but of any nightshade other than datura; after all, SWIM's knowledge of most nightshades is hugely limited.


Mandrake (Mandragora Officinarum)

I have no knowledge of the effects from foliage, fruits or seeds of this plant, either first- or second-hand. The root, however, is widely available and has been used historically for a wide range of medicinal purposes.
The root proper contains one or more alkaloids that act as an extremely potent purgative; so potent, in fact, that one would be hard pushed to keep a suitable quantity down long enough to produce any other effects. The root bark was used by early Greek physicians to induce sleep and relieve pain, and the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder wrote of it's use as an anesthetic before operations. It was also known at that time to produce euphoria and hallucinations.
There is a large body of mythology associated with the European Mandrake, mostly stemming from the large taproot's perceived resemblance to the human form. It was believed at one time to grow from the semen of hanged men where it struck the ground, and that pulling the plant from the ground would cause it to let out a scream that would strike a the listener dead.

Known Preparations

• Coarsely crushed whole root can be added to boiling water and stirred vigorously. Provided none of the root itself is imbibed this brew seems to avoid the purgative effects when used in moderation, producing a mild euphoric and deleriant effect.
• Alternatively, chewing a generous piece of root bark produces the same effects and the flavour is not too disagreeable, being much like slightly bitter liquorice root.
• Whole root reduced to a powder and brewed in hot water will, when drunk down sediment and all, very rapidly induce violent purging. (N.B. This is an ugly, painful experience and much safer alternatives exist should you need a purgative)

[Erytheia]

Henbane (Hyoscycamus Niger)

Henbane (from the Anglo-Saxon hennbana) is another nightshade with millenia of medicinal history. The use of Henbane by the ancient Greeks was documented by our old friend Pliny. The plant was purportedly used by the priestesses of Apollo to yield oracles, as well as being used to treat isomnia and as an early analgesic. Much like hops, though from far earlier, henbane has been used in brewing as a preservative, allowing beer to be brewed longer producing a more alcoholic product. Furthermore the deleriant effect of the plant may potentiate the inebriation resultant from the alcohol.

Known Preparations

• Leaves or flowers of henbane can be used in brewing as a replacement for hops (Please note this has not been tried personally)

• Dried, crushed seeds, foliage and/or flowers can be brewed into a "tea", smoked in a pipe or steeped in alcoholic beverages for at least 24hrs prior to drinking. Depending on the quantites used this produces a mild to potent (to debilitating, use with care) sedative effect with a slight deleriant component.

Important warning: Nightshades and alcohol are an extremely bad combination. I've included a couple of known preparations involving alcohol here but have not personally encountered them. Anyone who drinks alcohol within 3 days of taking any sort of nightshade will potentiate the delerium, lower their inhibitions (such little as they have left) and become even harder for their sitter to control. These are included as points of interest, not as points of experimentation.

[Potter]

There are a few recipes floating around here on brewing henbane beer, all of them come from some pretty knowledgeable sources and match up in instructions. They all come with the warning "you pour as much beer as you plan on drinking and put the rest away." Seems it makes you thirsty, and "what not a better way to quench that thirst then with another henbane beer" is pretty much the brains first thought.

Please remove the 1:1 hops replacement ratio unless you can provide an impeccable source for that, anything less then the German Beer Purity Act is not going to hold water. That ratio could be EXCEEDINGLY dangerous with certain recipes and it is reasonable to say you should ONLY be brewing henbane beer from a documented henbane beer recipe.

I'm not sure where you got the 3 day warning, please provide a source on that. It's a semi-reasonable warning, but seems a bit broad and with the long history of henbane beer, clearly overbearing.

Because of the dangers involved in this path, it is of utmost importance that the information presented is well documented and comes reputable people. Please document this information a bit more thoroughly.