Deadly nightshade: Atropa bella donna is a perennial tall plant found I deciduous woods and hedgerows. However, it contains highly poisonous substances.
The Greek philosopher Theopastrus, wrote about deadly nightshade calling it mandragoras. It was an essential ingredient in the soothing ointments or salves of witches in the Middle Ages.
The most effective and magical part of deadly nighshade was the root. However, obtaining it involved great danger. Whoever wanted to get the thick root had to dig it up at midnight.
The root was also worn against bare skin, to bring luck in card playing. The root could even promote love- if girl was carrying it she could charm whoever she wished.
Sometimes, deadly nightshade was used against the bite of a mad dog. It was also given in powder form to horses to make them lively and give them a shining coat. In the countries of southern Europe, young girls drooped the juice of the berries of nightshade into their eyes to make them large and shining. Hence the plant’s Italian name bella donna meaning lovely lady.
4 comments:
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nice comment .. thanks.
the poison it carries is for what purpose? If for protecting, then doesn't that stop the transmission of seeds by those that eat it?
some medicines are extracted from poison of plants or animals. the Bella donna plant poison has great effect on nervous sysatem, evoking feelings of drunknness.but the toxins are so strong that even a mere 0.1 can be fatal.
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