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Atropa Belladonna - Tollkirsche
Atropa Belladonna, generally known as the rabid cherry, is a highly toxic plant from the family of nightshade plants (Solanaceae). This plant has a long history of use in medicine and poisoning and is due to its potential dangers to health of great scientific and clinical importance.
Botanical characteristics
Atropa Belladonna is a herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. The leaves are large, lanceolate and have a dark green color. The flowers are bell -shaped, purple colors to dark brown and have a diameter of about 5 centimeters. The fruits are spherical berries from dark violet to black color, which contain many seeds.
Pharmacological properties
The toll cherry contains a variety of highly toxic alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. These alkaloids have strong psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties and can have serious effects on the central nervous system if overdosed. Historically speaking, extracts from Atropa Belladonna were used in medicine to expand pupils, to treat cramps and pain relief. Nowadays they are rarely used due to the dangerous side effects and the high risk of poisoning.
Historical use
The name "Belladonna" comes from Italian and means "beautiful woman", since the plant was used by women in the 16th century to add to atropin-containing eye drops that expanded the pupils and were considered an ideal of beauty. However, the use of great cherry can be extremely dangerous for such purposes and was later given up for obvious reasons.
Dangers and precautionary measures
It is extremely important to point out the potential dangers of Atropa Belladonna. Consumption or the use of parts of this plant can be life -threatening and cause severe poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning can include delirium, hallucinations, dry mouth, visual disturbances, cardiac arrhythmias and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, poisoning can be fatal. For this reason, the cultivation and the use of crash cherry is heavily regulated in many countries.
