Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) or deadly nightshade (also known as dwale) as it is also known, is a highly poisonous European, native in Britain, perennialherb of the natural order Solanaceae with a large, turnip-like root and spreading, branched stems from which atropine is derived. The large, soft, oval leaves are alternate or opposite where a flower arises. The flowers are stalked, bell-shaped and reddish-brown and grow singularly from the leaf axils. The fruit is a black, glossy, conspicuous berry cupped by the spreading sepals. Belladonna is found in hedges, woods and thickets and on wasteland, especially where the soil is rich in lime.
The inspissated juice is commonly known by the name of extract of belladonna. It is narcotic and poisonous, but is of great value in medicine, especially in nervous ailments. It has the property of causing the pupil of the eye to dilate. Deadly nightshade became known as belladonna (Italian for beautiful lady) after the practice of women using the plant as a cosmetic to enlarge their pupils and beautify their eyes. Research Belladonna
Physotigmine is an alkaloid derived from the Calabar Bean. It has little effect on the cerebrum, but acts strongly on the vital centres in the medulla, and on the spinal cord where it produces feebleness of muscular movement, and slightly affects sensation. It was used in medicine where it was given to relieve tetanus and to antagonise the action of atropine and to relieve ocular tension. Research Physotigmine
Tropine (methyl-oxyethylpyridine tetrahydride) is an artificial alkaloid obtained by heating atropine or hyoscyamine with baryta-water. Research Tropine
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Abbreviations
Research Daturine
