Medicinal nightshade plants: mandrake and belladonna

В современной систематике семейство паслёновые (Solanoceae) combines approximately 2,700 species of spineoleptic plants belonging to the dicotyledon class. The family includes valuable food, medicinal, and ornamental moose 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 of the nightshade have found application in medical practice, however, such medicinal herbs like mandragora and belladonna are used with great care.

Mandragora officinalis

All types of mandrake are rare,hard to find plants. Mandragora medicinal grows in southern Europe (Calabria, Sicily). The root of this plant, in form resembling a human figure, has since ancient times been attributed the ability to cure all parts of the body. The round fruit of the solanaceous plants was also endowed with miraculous properties. In ancient Egypt and Rome, mandrake apples were used as a means of increasing sexual desire.

Since time immemorial mandrake preparationsused as an anesthetic, sedative and hypnotic drug. Modern studies of the active substances of the mandrake revealed the presence of tropane alkaloids in the roots of the plant, which have a depressant effect on the nervous system, including some higher vegetative centers. Preparations prepared on the basis of the plant root are used to relieve muscle, neuralgia and joint pain, as well as pain and cramps in gastrointestinal disorders. Alcohol tincture of the root is included in the composition of drugs against vitiligo and other skin diseases, and in some cases it is recommended to take as a sleeping pill. Medicinal plants of the Solanaceae family should be taken with great caution, as they can have severe side effects, and even be fatal. Independent use of mandrake can lead to irreversible consequences - memory loss, impaired brain function.

Belladonna (belladonna)

Soldering plants sometimes have a completelyamazing titles. Despite the fact that the specific name of the belladonna from the genus belladonna is translated from Italian as "beautiful woman", the plant is often called sleepy, rabid berry and mad cherry. In the Middle Ages, this plant was used as a source of poison. Belladonna made ointment, which rubbed into the body of women recognized as witches. The ointment acted as a “lie detector”: under the influence of poisonous substances, the unfortunate victims under torture admitted everything that the inquisitors needed. A dangerous medicinal plant is not used in modern folk medicine; however, the pharmacological properties of belladonna, which coincide with the properties of the alkaloids of the atropine group, are used in medical practice. Belladonna extract is included in the composition of the funds that are used to treat asthma, gastritis and other diseases. With the help of the preparation based on the extract of this plant, the condition of the fundus vessels is studied. Belladonna, as well as other dangerous solanaceous plants, doctors prohibit the use of self-treatment.