It is extremely poisonous and has been employed for many centuries for beneficial and less beneficial purposes. According to folklore it is a plant that belongs to the Devil, who tends it. being diverted from this duty only on the night of the Walpurgis night Witches Sabbath.
The name Belladonna, "Beautiful Lady", is thought to derive from its use by Italian ladies, to dilate the pupil of the eye to make them more attractive. The generic name, "Atropa", is derived from the Greek, Atropos, one of the fates that held the shears to cut the thread of human life.
The properties of Belladonna depend on the presence of Hyoseyamine and Atropine, the root is the principle source of preparing tinctures, however, the whole plant including the berries contain these alkaloids.
Atropine has been used in opthalmology for the dilation of the pupil and was used as an antidote to opium.
It was also used to lessen pain and inflammation. It has anti spasmodic activity and was used for asthma and whooping cough.
It increases the rate of the heart by approximately 20 - 40 beats per minute.
In poisonous doses it causes paralysis and excitement and delirium.
Woody Nightshade (solamum Dulcamara) Bittersweet - A very common plant in the U.K. growing in hedgerows and shaded areas which has frequently been confused with Deadly Nightshade.
Its active constituent is Solamine which acts narcotically, in large doses it causes paralysis. It slows the heart and respiration, reduces temperature and causes vertigo and delirium, eventually convulsions and death.
Woody Nightshade was used widely for a number of ailments including rheumatism, fever, inflammation and jaundice.
It was believed to guard against the evil eye and has been revered for thousands of years - a necklace of the berries was found in Tutenkahmun's tomb.
Aconite (Aconitum Napellus) Monkshood - Aconite is a plant which was introduced to England ....... ago. Reports of it are included in manuscripts of the tenth century downwards. it is found growing wild in western counties of England and South Wales and was popular as a flowering garden plant.
The poisonous properties of aconite have been used to coat arrowheads for use on humans and animals.
Its medical uses was mainly restricted for the alleviation of muscular and rheumatic pain. Applied externally to the affected area.
A number of alkaloids have been identified within aconite but the group which is believed responsible for its medical and poisonous activity are the Aconitines.
Aconite is extremely poisonous and the symptoms of poisoning begin with numbness in the mouth, crawling sensations on the skin, vomiting, stomach pains, laboured breathing, irregular and weak pulse, giddiness and staggering, eventual cardiac arrest or asphyxiation. The mind remains clear.
In cases of poisoning artificial respiration and stimulants are indicated.
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) - Hemlock is a common plant in the U.K. found in meadows, banks and hedge banks.
It has some similarities to Parsley but is distinguished by blood red markings/spots on its stem and root.
All parts of the plant contain a very strong poisonous alkaloid called conium.
Conium (produced by extraction of the juice of hemlock) is a narcotic, sedative and antispasmodic. Its medical use in the past was to treat coughing, epilepsy or any over activity of the muscles.
In poisonous doses it produces loss of sensation, complete paralysis of striated muscle, loss of speech, the respiration slows and eventually stops. Death results from asphyxiation. During this process the mind remains clear and unaffected.
The most famous account of the use of Hemlock is the poisoning of the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates.
Conium is a highly volatile plant alkaloid and loses its potency rapidly. Heat destroys it.
In cases of poisoning artificial respiration and the use of stimulants are indicated.
The possible inclusion of Hemlock or Water Hemlock which shares similar paralysing properties could...
Thornapple (Datura Stramonium) Solanaceae - Relatively uncommon in England, but common in America Thornapple is strongly narcotic and doses lead to dilation of the pupils, giddiness, delirium and mania.
The active constituents are the same as Belladonna, i.e.. hyoseyamine and atropine, but in smaller concentrations and its medical uses are the same as Belladonna. Its effects on coughing and respiratory conditions being slightly stronger.
Henbane (Hyosyamus niger) Solanaceae - It is relatively common in the UK. growing in shaded areas and has a long history of use and mythology. In Greek legend the dead in Hades were crowned with Henbane as they wandered beside the Styx.
The plant was used in magic and diabolism for its power of causing delirium and hallucinations. In poisonous doses poor vision, dizziness, sleepiness is followed by delirium and convulsions.
The active constituents are Hyoseyamine, Atropine and Hyoseine. Similar to Belladonna in its medicinal uses, however the added presence of Hyoscine gives it the properties of reducing secretions and relax spasm of involuntary muscles. It has been employed in hysteria, pain and rheumatism.
Henbanes sedative action does not give rise as much rise to the delirium associated more with high concentrates of Atropine. It was also used extensively in insane asylums for treating mania and delirium tremens.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpured) Serophularcacere - Common in England growing best in sunlight this plant has extremely powerful action on the heart. Digitalis containing a number of glucosides, three of which are cardiac stimulants; digitoxin, digitalin and digitalun. The other glucoside is digitonin, a cardiac depressant.
Digitalis has been used from early times for its properties on the heart and circulation. Its first action is to increase blood pressure due to contraction of the heart and arteries. The pulse slows and regulation of an irregular pulse.
In toxic doses it causes disturbances of the senses, blurs the visual field. Low dose poisoning leads to slow and irregular pulse. Higher concentrations of poisoning leads to rapid heart beat and arrest.
Tradition has it that Foxglove is a plant of women and of the Goddess Diana
It strongly urge people not to experiment with any of the plants mentioned, as they are extremely poisonous.
Authors Note: I Cathy Peterson here by give my premission for this article may be reposted in any medium, as long it stays entacted and this section remains as it is unedited errors and all � 1998
