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Belladonna (as Atropa Belladonna Extract) can also be found in some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines (in small amounts) due to its [[pseudoephedrine]]-like qualities of clearing up nasal and other passages where mucus forms.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
Belladonna (as Atropa Belladonna Extract) can also be found in some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines (in small amounts) due to its [[pseudoephedrine]]-like qualities of clearing up nasal and other passages where mucus forms.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
||
[[Donnatal]], or the generic belladonna, is an FDA approved prescription pharmaceutical that contains "natural belladonna alkaloids... combined with [[phenobarbital]] to provide peripheral [[anticholinergic]]/antispasmodic action and mild sedation." It is indicated and FDA approved as "possibly effective" for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and acute enterocolitis and as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.<ref>[http://www.donnatal.com/donnatal/pi_extentabs.asp Donnatal Extentabs® : Prescribing Information]</ref> The modern medical application for these ailments is similar to the traditional and naturopathic applications, although it is traditionally indicated for a wider range of ailments.<ref>[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nighde05.html botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Nightshade, Deadly</ref> The use of pharmaceutical belladonna is based on a significant history of safe application.<ref>[http://www.donnatal.com/donnatal/consumers.asp Donnatal Extentabs Info For Consumers]</ref> |
[[Donnatal]], or the generic belladonna, is an FDA approved prescription pharmaceutical that contains "natural belladonna alkaloids... combined with [[phenobarbital]] to provide peripheral [[anticholinergic]]/antispasmodic action and mild sedation." It is indicated and FDA approved as "possibly effective" for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and acute enterocolitis and as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.<ref>[http://www.donnatal.com/donnatal/pi_extentabs.asp Donnatal Extentabs® : Prescribing Information]</ref> The modern medical application for these ailments is similar to the traditional and naturopathic applications, although it is traditionally indicated for a wider range of ailments.<ref>[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nighde05.html botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Nightshade, Deadly</ref> The use of pharmaceutical belladonna is based on a significant history of safe application.<ref>[http://www.donnatal.com/donnatal/consumers.asp Donnatal Extentabs Info For Consumers]</ref> Deadly nightshade is used in [[homeopathy|homeopathic preparations]] for acne, boils, and sunburns, although the effectiveness of these preparations has not been proven.<ref name="oxford">{{cite book|last=Vaughan|first=John Griffith|coauthors=Patricia Ann Judd, David Bellamy|title=The Oxford Book of Health Foods|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2003|pages=59|isbn=0198504594|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mMl9vwVDxigC&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=%22deadly+nightshade%22+homeopathic&source=web&ots=xEccdnf4ox&sig=uQu-JUHbXaEd9Ru5vJAPS9hkk0Y}}</ref><ref name="medline">{{cite web|url=http://mplus.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-belladonna.html|title=Belladonna (Atropa belladonna L. or its variety acuminata Royle ex Lindl)|date=02/01/2008|publisher=Medline Plus|accessdate=2008-06-14}}</ref> |
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===Recreational drug=== |
===Recreational drug=== |
Revision as of 18:56, 14 June 2008
Deadly nightshade | |
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Illustration from Koehler's Medicinal Plants 1887 | |
Scientific classification | |
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Species: | A. belladonna
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Binomial name | |
Atropa belladonna |
Atropa belladonna , commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant with leaves and berries that are extremely toxic and hallucinogenic.
The species is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and has become naturalized in parts of North America. In areas where it has become naturalized it can often be found in shady, moist areas with a limestone-rich soil.
Description
The species has dull green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that are purple, these yield black, shiny berries measuring approximately 1 cm in diameter. The yellow form, Atropa belladonna var. lutea, has pale yellow flowers and fruit. The berries are sweet, but the seeds contain toxic alkaloids. It is an herbaceous plant, and can grow to be approximately five metres tall. The leaves have an oily, "poison ivy"-like feel.
When Belladonna is in its first stages of growing the star shaped base of the berries is barely visible.
Germination is often difficult due to the presence of germination inhibitors in the seeds. The species is not common as a garden plant, and is considered a weed in some areas. Atropa belladonna is a perennial branching herb growing to 5 metre tall, with 18 cm long ovate leaves; it contains the heaviest leaf in its angiosperm group. It is not a very hardy perennial and is sensitive to being transplanted. Germination requires several weeks in warm, moist, absolutely sterile soil, usually far from normal garden conditions.
Naming and taxonomy
The common names for this species include, dwale, banewort, devil's cherries, naughty man's cherries, divale, black cherry, devil's herb, great morel, and dwayberry.[1] It is one of two species to be known as Deadly nightshade, the other is Solanum nigrum. The first botanical description was by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753.[2] It is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which it shares with potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, jimsonweed, tobacco, goji, and chili peppers.
Toxicity
Belladonna is one of the most toxic plants found in the Western hemisphere. Children have been poisoned by eating as few as three berries. Ingestion of a leaf of the Belladonna can be fatal to an adult. The root of the plant is generally the most toxic part, though this can vary from one specimen to another.[3] Belladonna leaves, if handled carelessly, can cause pus filled blisters.
All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids.[4] The berries pose the greatest danger to children because they look attractive and have a somewhat sweet taste.[1] Symptoms of belladonna poisoning are the same as those for atropine (a tropane alkaloid), and include dilated pupils, tachycardia, hallucinations, blurred vision, loss of balance, a feeling of flight, staggering, a sense of suffocation, paleness followed by a red rash, flushing, husky voice, extremely dry throat, constipation, urinary retention, and confusion.[citation needed]
The plant's deadly symptoms are caused by atropine's disruption of the parasympathetic nervous system's ability to regulate non-volitional/subconscious activities such as sweating, breathing, and heart rate. Heartbeat and breathing can become extremely irregular, and fatal cases have a rapid pulse that turns feeble.[citation needed] The antidote for belladonna poisoning is physostigmine or pilocarpine, the same as for atropine.[5]
Atropa belladonna is toxic to many domestic animals and livestock; Belladonna poisoning can lead to colic, depression, weakness, and lack of coordination in horses, with fatalities reported even for small amounts from 1 to 10 pounds (0.5 to 5 kg).[citation needed] Many animals, such as rabbits, birds and deer, seem to eat the plant without suffering harmful effects, though dogs and cats are affected. [6][verification needed]
Uses
Cosmetics
The common name belladonna originates from the historic use by women (Bella Donna is Italian for beautiful lady) of eye drops prepared from Belladonna to dilate their pupils in an effort to look more attractive[7] (it is well-documented that men tend to perceive women with larger pupils as more attractive).[8] Today it is known that the atropine in Belladonna acts as an antimuscarinic, blocking receptors in the muscles of the eye that constrict pupil size.[9] Purified eye drops of atropine are used by eye doctors today to dilate the pupils before examination. Belladonna is now rarely used cosmetically, as it carries the adverse effects of causing minor visual distortions, inability to focus on near objects, and increased heart rate. Prolonged usage was reputed to cause blindness.
Medicine
The plant is an important source of atropine, which is an effective treatment for the effects of poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors such as Parathion and Malathion.[citation needed] Atropine will also reverse the effects of poisoning by nerve agents designed for chemical warfare.[10] In Europe, the plant is specifically cultivated for this purpose.[citation needed] While atropine can treat the symptoms of poisoning from these organophosphate compounds, the antidote is the unrelated compound pralidoxime.[citation needed]
Atropine is also an important drug in ACLS protocols.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists use atropine for pupil dilation in eye examinations, though the dose used is small.[citation needed] Atropine degrades slowly, typically wearing off in 2 to 3 days, so tropicamide and phenylephrine is generally preferred as a mydriatic.[citation needed] Atropine is contraindicated in patients predisposed to narrow angle glaucoma.[citation needed]
Belladonna (as Atropa Belladonna Extract) can also be found in some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines (in small amounts) due to its pseudoephedrine-like qualities of clearing up nasal and other passages where mucus forms.[citation needed]
Donnatal, or the generic belladonna, is an FDA approved prescription pharmaceutical that contains "natural belladonna alkaloids... combined with phenobarbital to provide peripheral anticholinergic/antispasmodic action and mild sedation." It is indicated and FDA approved as "possibly effective" for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and acute enterocolitis and as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.[11] The modern medical application for these ailments is similar to the traditional and naturopathic applications, although it is traditionally indicated for a wider range of ailments.[12] The use of pharmaceutical belladonna is based on a significant history of safe application.[13] Deadly nightshade is used in homeopathic preparations for acne, boils, and sunburns, although the effectiveness of these preparations has not been proven.[14][15]
Recreational drug
Occasionally, Atropa belladonna is used for recreational purposes: it is consumed in the form of either a tea or simply raw, which can produce vivid hallucinations, described by many as a 'living dream'. [citation needed] Upon consumption of this plant, the user will experience all the severe, adverse anticholinergic effects before hallucinating and continue to do so while hallucinating. Use for recreational purposes is considered dangerous because of the risk of accidental overdose.[citation needed]
Publications have suggested a combination of belladonna and aconite was used by witches to "fly" in the Middle Ages. The aconitine in aconite (another toxic plant) was said to counter/reduce the toxic effects of atropine in belladonna, while combining their hallucinogenic effects.[16][17][18]
Folklore
Stories claim that the devil has the exclusive rights to plant and harvest this plant. Hence, anyone eating it is visited and killed by the devil. Many also believed it was a temptation for greedy children as the berries seem to be offered on green, pentagram plates and look very appetizing.[citation needed]
Belladonna in the Media
Belladonna appears in popular media, sometimes by the name "Deadly Nightshade".
- Daniel Lanois created an instrumental album called Belladonna. One track is entitled "The Deadly Nightshade".
- The 1998 fantasy movie Practical Magic had Sandra Bullock's character mix it in tequila to sedate the abusive boyfriend of Nicole Kidman's character, but he dies instead.
- The fictional character Sally in the 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas uses Deadly Nightshade in the movie to sedate her master, Doctor Finklestein.
- Belladonna appears in the 2007 PBS mini-series Cranford where Dr. Frank Harrison administers it to his beloved and critically ill Sophie Hutton to help save her from Typhoid Fever.
- Belladonna ingestion kills the character played by Nicki Aycox in the 2007 movie Perfect Stranger, and she is found with her pupils dilated by the substance.
- In Jagex's Runescape, there is a belladonna plant that you can farm.
- In Hukkle (2002), an old woman in a small Hungarian village produced a belladonna concoction she sold to other women to kill their husbands.
- In Louisa May Alcott's book Little Women, Beth is told by the doctor to take some belladonna after the Hummels' baby dies of Scarlet Fever.
- Author and Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson reports having undergone a "so-called belladonna therapy" while hospitalized for what would become his final encounter with alcohol in 1935.[19][20]
- Appears in The Mangler (based on a Stephen King story) as a reference to the catalyst that would unleash the demon from the machine. In this instance, the "belladonna" or "hand of glory" (Similar concept) were the pills of the first woman who was "consumed" by the machine.
- Appears in Revelation a C. J. Sansom novel as part of the dwale infusion.
- In Jilly Cooper's novel Riders, Tory takes belladonna in a suicide attempt, but is saved.
See also
External links
- botanical.com
- Erowid - Belladonna Information (on recreational uses)
- "Compounds in deadly nightshade". USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
{{cite web}}
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References
- ^ a b Grieve, Margaret (1971). Modern Herbal. Courier Dover Publications. p. 584. ISBN 0486227995.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Solanaceae Atropa belladonna L." Plant Name Details. IPNI. 2003-07-02. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
Solanaceae Atropa belladonna L. Species Plantarum 2 1753 "Habitat in Austriae, Angliae montibus sylvosis."
- ^ Harrison's Principle's of Internal Medicine. (11th edition, page 842: "Antimuscarinic Compounds: fatalities have occurred from as little as 10 mg atropine, but doses of 500 mg have been non-fatal.Young children are particularly susceptible to poisoning with belladonna alkaloids.")
- ^ European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
- ^ Potter, Samuel O.L. (1893). A Handbook of Materia Medica Pharmacy and Therapeutics. London: P. Blakiston's. p. 53.
- ^ Poisons
- ^ Hofmann, Albert; Evans Schultes, Richard; Plants of the Gods, Origins of Hallucinogenic Use (Hutchinson, 1980), page 88.
- ^ Tombs, Selina and Irwin Silverman. "Pupillometry: A sexual selection approach." Evolution and Human Behavior; 25:4, 211-228. 2004. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6H-4CTB5VH-2&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=0a4aa71156e45fe83eda01ac2c20c088
- ^ http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002958.html
- ^ Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services, November 22, 2001. available online
- ^ Donnatal Extentabs® : Prescribing Information
- ^ [http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nighde05.html botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Nightshade, Deadly
- ^ Donnatal Extentabs Info For Consumers
- ^ Vaughan, John Griffith (2003). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press. p. 59. ISBN 0198504594.
{{cite book}}
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ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Belladonna (Atropa belladonna L. or its variety acuminata Royle ex Lindl)". Medline Plus. 02/01/2008. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Kuklin, Alexander (February 1999). How Do Witches Fly?. DNA Press. ISBN 0966402707.
- ^ Kowalchik, Claire (1987). Herb gardening. Rodale. pp. 1 and 158. ISBN 087596964X.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ Harner, Michael J, (Editor) Hallucinogens and Shamanism (Oxford University Press, 1973), pages 123-150.
- ^ Wilson, Bill (2001 fourth edition). Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book (PDF). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. p. 7. ISBN 1-893007-16-2.
{{cite book}}
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(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ Pittman, Bill (1988). AA - The Way It Began. Seattle, Washington: Glen Abbey Books. pp. 164–166, 168. ISBN 0934125082.