Medicinal nightshade plants: mandrake and belladonna

In modern taxonomy, the family of solanaceae (Solanoceae) unites approximately 2,700 species of spaynopletic plants belonging to the dicotyledonous class. The family includes valuable food, medicinal and decorative nightshade plants. Most species of this family grow in the temperate, tropical and subtropical zones - mostly in South and Central America, as well as in Eurasia. Some species belonging to the family are solanaceous, have found application in medical practice, however, such medicinal nightshade plants, like mandrake and belladonna, are used with great care.

Mandragora officinalis

All kinds of mandrake are among the rare, difficult to find plants. Mandragora drug grows in Southern Europe (Calabria, Sicily). The root of this plant, in shape resembling a human figure, has since been attributed to the ability to heal all parts of the body. The round fruit of the nightshade plants was also endowed with miraculous properties. In ancient Egypt and Rome, the "apples" mandrakes were used as a means of enhancing sexual desire. Since time immemorial, mandrake drugs have been used as drugs that provide anesthetic, soothing and hypnotic action. Modern studies of active mandrake substances have revealed the presence of tropane alkaloids in the plant roots, which have a depressing effect on the nervous system, including some higher vegetative centers. Preparations, based on the root of the plant, are used to relieve muscle, neuralgic and joint pain, as well as pain and spasms in gastrointestinal disorders. Alcoholic tincture of the root is included in the composition of medicinal preparations against vitiligo and other skin diseases, and in certain cases it is recommended to take it as a sleeping pill. Medicinal plants of the family of nightshade should be taken with great care, as they can have serious side effects, and even lead to death. Self-use of mandrake can lead to irreversible consequences - loss of memory, impairment of brain functions.

Belladonna (belladonna)

Pale plants sometimes have quite amazing names. Despite the fact that the specific name belladonna of the genus belladonna translates from Italian as a "beautiful woman", the plant is often called a sleepy fool, a mad berry and cherry mad. In the Middle Ages, this plant was used as a source of poison. From belladonna made an ointment, which was rubbed into the body of women recognized as witches. Ointment acted as a "lie detector": under the influence of toxic substances, unfortunate victims under torture confessed everything that the inquisitors needed. A dangerous medicinal plant in modern folk medicine is not used, however, the pharmacological properties of belladonna, which coincide with the properties of alkaloids of the atropine group, are used in medical practice. Extract of belladonna are included in the composition of products that are used to treat bronchial asthma, gastritis and other diseases. With the help of a preparation based on the extract of this plant, the state of the vessels of the fundus is studied . Belladonna, like other dangerous nightshade plants, doctors prohibit use for self-treatment.