Vintage brass etched amulet on vintage chain. Chain measures approx 23”. Etched on one side with a botanical motif.
Contains henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) seeds, a poisonous plant in the nightshade family.
Seeds are viable and are not for human consumption. Do not purchase if amulet cannot be secured safely from children, pets, and other at-risk humans. Seeds are toxic and alkaloids are no joke.
Germanic and Norse peoples called the plant bilsa as Proto-Germanicbil meant element "vision", "hallucination", "magical power", and "miraculous ability."
It was originally used in continental Europe, Asia, and the Arab world, then spread to England in the Middle Ages.
Famously, henbane seeds were found in the Fyrkat grave of a 13th century völva (Norse seeress) in Denmark and in other Norse/Viking artifacts. A popular theory speculates henbane was used by the berserkers.
Henbane seeds were traditionally fumigated (used in incense, burned on coals, etc.) as the tropane alkaloids were able to be inhaled, causing sensations of flight, sedation, and anesthetization. It is anti-emetic, used for toothaches, and was a popular ingredient in beer. By the middle ages henbane was strongly associated with witchcraft, and has been feared ever since.
Vintage brass etched amulet on vintage chain. Chain measures approx 23”. Etched on one side with a botanical motif.
Contains henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) seeds, a poisonous plant in the nightshade family.
Seeds are viable and are not for human consumption. Do not purchase if amulet cannot be secured safely from children, pets, and other at-risk humans. Seeds are toxic and alkaloids are no joke.
Germanic and Norse peoples called the plant bilsa as Proto-Germanicbil meant element "vision", "hallucination", "magical power", and "miraculous ability."
It was originally used in continental Europe, Asia, and the Arab world, then spread to England in the Middle Ages.
Famously, henbane seeds were found in the Fyrkat grave of a 13th century völva (Norse seeress) in Denmark and in other Norse/Viking artifacts. A popular theory speculates henbane was used by the berserkers.
Henbane seeds were traditionally fumigated (used in incense, burned on coals, etc.) as the tropane alkaloids were able to be inhaled, causing sensations of flight, sedation, and anesthetization. It is anti-emetic, used for toothaches, and was a popular ingredient in beer. By the middle ages henbane was strongly associated with witchcraft, and has been feared ever since.
