Deadly Nightshade is a perennial plant that can grow to an average height of 50-200 cm, covered with dark green leaves. At the top of the stem, it divides into three branches, which then also divide, forming a forked structure of the plant. Leaves entire, on stems, glabrous, lower arranged alternately, upper nearly opposite. The lower leaves of the plant are large, up to 22 cm long and 11 cm wide, the smallest 7.5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. Oppositely arranged leaves have one characteristic, one leaf is always larger than the other, the largest is elliptic and pointed, the smallest is ovate. 

Flowers are formed in leaf axils, solitary, relatively large, brown-violet in color, 20-30mm long, 14-20mm in diameter.

The fruit of the deadly Nightshade is a black, shiny, juicy, multi-seeded berry, the size of which is like a cherry. It has a sweet taste and is poisonous, like all parts of the plant. The deadly Nightshade blooms in June-August, the fruits begin to appear from July.

In medicine, the leaves, stems and roots of the deadly Nightshade are used for medicinal purposes. In warm climates and if properly cared for, the deadly Nightshade lives an average of 5 years. During one summer, leaves are collected from the plant 2 to 5 times and then they are dried in forced dryers. Collect the leaves by hand. When the plant begins to bloom, collect the lower leaves - up to the point where the stem branches. At the end of flowering, collect the leaves from the new shoots. When the plant begins to produce berries, it is cut, leaving a 10 cm long stem above the ground. The cut plant is divided into 4 cm pieces and dried. Roots are dug in autumn, washed, divided into pieces of 10-20 cm, if necessary, cut lengthwise and dried.

As a result, three types of drugs are obtained: leaves, stems and roots. The leaves and stems are dried quickly, not exceeding 40C in the dryers. The roots are dried, spread out on sieves in a shaded, well-ventilated place. This plant is grown in one place for 5-6 years and then the place of plantation is changed. Leaves and stems are stored for 2 years, rhizomes for 3 years.

The collected parts of the plant must be dried as soon as possible!

The plant contains the following alkaloids: hyoscyamine, atropine - on average 4% in roots, 0.14-1.2% in leaves, 0.2-0.65 in stems, 0.24-0.6% in flowers, 0.7% in ripe fruits. Scopolamine, apoatropine, balladonine, as well as volatile substances: N-methylpyrroline, N-methylpyrrolidine, pyridine and flavonoids, oxycoumarins are also found in the leaves. The roots also contain the alkaloid kuschigrin.

Medicinal significance

The main alkaloid in the deadly Nightshade is atropine - it dilates the pupil of the eye. It suppresses the activity of all secretory glands in the digestive tract, suppresses the activity of sweat glands, and also relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi and stomach. Large doses of atropine cause excitement - both physically and psychologically - by acting on the cerebral cortex.

Folk medicine has abandoned this plant because of its strong toxicity. However, in ancient times it was used to treat ulcers and tumors, inflammation of the stomach and liver, and reduce fever. Deadly Nightshade extracts, along with wine and juices, were used both orally and externally to relieve all types of pain.

The following may occur with systematic use of deadly Nightshade preparations: headache, increased nervousness, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, ataxia, speech disorders, dry mouth, loss of taste, loss of appetite, constipation, as well as visual disturbances and increased sensitivity to light. These features should be especially taken into account when atropine-containing preparations are used for people whose work is associated with increased responsibility. When used externally, there are also side effects: increase in eye pressure, visual disturbances, paralysis of accommodation and photophobia. With an overdose of atropine, toxic manifestations may begin to appear: agitation, blackout of consciousness, convulsions and hallucinations.

All parts of the deadly Nightshade are highly poisonous. Eating 10-20 of its fruits can be fatal. Atropine, which is present in the deadly Nightshade , is not to be used in case of glaucoma, as well as during the lactation period, because it can "rip off" the milk.

Not recommended to use

It is not recommended in cases of intestinal atony, diseases of the digestive tract, acute, ulcerative colitis, constipation. It is also not recommended to use deadly Nightshade in case of benign prostatic hyperplasia, pulmonary edema, pronounced atherosclerosis, tachycardia, arrhythmia, exhaustion.

I assume that there is no need to mention pregnant women and children!

When using preparations of deadly Nightshade in hot weather, you can easily overheat the body and get a heat stroke.

In case of overdose, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, myocardial ischemia, urticaria, decreased sweating, hyperthermia are observed. Arrhythmia, hallucinations and other side effects also occur. Since the plant can effectively cause a fatal outcome, it is necessary to seek help in a hospital.

First aid

In case of poisoning with deadly Nightshade , there is no way to do without the help of doctors, so it is not worth wasting time and immediately seek help.

In case of poisoning, after 10-20 minutes there will be dryness in the mouth and burning in the throat and on the tongue, difficulty in swallowing and inability to speak, the heart rate will increase. The voice will become hoarse. Dilated pupils of the eyes that do not respond to light. The ability to see nearby will be lost, the perception of light will become more acute. Symptoms of dry and reddened skin appear. Agitation appears, accompanied by reverie and hallucinations.