Atropa bella-donna
Species of plant known for its toxic properties
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Solanaceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and is known for its toxic properties and historical use in medicine and cosmetics.
Description[edit | edit source]
Atropa belladonna is a branching herbaceous perennial that grows to about 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall. The leaves are ovate and grow up to 18 cm (7 inches) long. The flowers are bell-shaped, dull purple with green tinges, and bloom from June to August. The berries are green when unripe and turn to a shiny black as they mature.
Toxicity[edit | edit source]
The plant contains tropane alkaloids, such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which are highly toxic. These compounds can cause delirium, hallucinations, and even death if ingested. The berries are particularly attractive to children due to their sweet taste, but they are extremely poisonous.
Historical Uses[edit | edit source]
Historically, belladonna was used in cosmetics; women would use the juice of the berries to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive. The name "belladonna" means "beautiful lady" in Italian, reflecting this use. It was also used as an anesthetic and in various traditional medicines.
Medical Applications[edit | edit source]
Despite its toxicity, Atropa belladonna has been used in modern medicine. Atropine, derived from the plant, is used to dilate pupils during eye examinations and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning. Scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness and postoperative nausea.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Belladonna is cultivated for its medicinal alkaloids. It prefers well-drained, moist soil and partial shade. The plant is hardy and can be grown in temperate climates, but care must be taken due to its toxic nature.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Atropa belladonna has been associated with witchcraft and folklore. It was believed to be used in potions and ointments by witches in the Middle Ages. The plant's association with magic and mystery continues to capture the imagination.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Belladonna plaster, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
Illustration of Atropa belladonna
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
