The herb belladonna plant ’s scientific name is atropa belladonna , and it is also commonly called venomous nightshade . It is highly toxic and should n’t be take in or touched by humans or favourite in its plant life form . Belladonna has been the footing for many medical treatments in history and modern science , and has some benefit when used appropriately . Keep in mind that even therapeutic doses of deadly nightshade have an array of unpleasant side effects .
Eye Dilation
One of belladonna ’s active compound is atropine , which is a central fixings in the heart drops used by oculist to expand patients ' eyes for examination . This property of belladonna gives the herb its name , as Renaissance socialites in Italy often used eyedrops of a prep of the herbaceous plant to expatiate their pupils , darken their center and making themselves more attractive : " beautiful lady " is the significance of " bella donna . "
Women’s Disorders
Belladonna is part of an herbal remedy called Bellergal – belladonna combined with ergot and phenobarbital – that has been used for menopause symptoms and pre - menstrual syndrome symptom . However , the National Institute of Health ’s current recommendations on the Cartesian product are that it needs further study .
Irritable Bowel
Since deadly nightshade operate by paralyzing unvoluntary muscles , it has been used with some winner as a traditional herbal curative for nettlesome intestine syndrome . study on its use for this purpose have read mixed results , however , and it is often used in conjunction with other treatments for maximum effect .
Antidote
In turning - of - the - century medicine , belladonna was used as an counterpoison to overdose or intoxication from opium , heroin and other opiate drugs , since its paralytic and stimulant effects counteract those of opiate . However , modern medicine seldom practice it for this purpose , since its own upshot are toxic and can easily damage health further . It also has been used as an counterpoison to trichloromethane and some herbal poisonings .
Narcotic
Belladonna has been used throughout history as a quiescency crapulence , and it effectively anesthetizes patient role as well . Its uses for these intent are almost nonexistent in modern times , as good kernel can now be given for rest and anesthesia .
Religious Use
Preparations of belladonna farewell or roots have been used in various shamanic religious belief across the orb . As the toxicant in the plant act on an adult , delirium and visual modality may occur , giving procession to its utilisation by witches , illusionist and shamans in pagan and tribal religions . Belladonna ’s other burden are so unpleasant , it is not used as a recreational drug , however .
Other Ideas
Belladonna has also been studied as a treatment for airway obstruction , ear infection , head ache , autonomic nervous system of rules disorders , irradiation burn and excessive sweating , but has not been leaven to have a beneficial effect on any of these conditions .
