Atropa belladonna L. Brief information and illustrations. Belladonna.


Atropa belladonna L.
Taxon: Solanaceae family ( Solanaceae)
Other names: common belladonna, rubuha, sleepy dope, mad berry, mad cherry
English: Belladonna, Atropa, Deadly Nightshade, Death's Herb, Dwale, Witch's Berry

The name "belladonna", which was given to the plant by K. Linnaeus, translated from Italian (« bella donna") means " beautiful woman". It is explained by the fact that the mydriatic effect of the main alkaloid of the plant atropine was widely used by women. ancient rome, and then Italy and Spain to enhance the brilliance of the eyes and dilate the pupils. And if the cheeks were rubbed with the juice of berries, a blush appeared on them.
The Latin name of the plant comes from Greek words « atropos», « atropa"(in a literal translation -" uncompromising, irrevocable "). That was the name of one of the three moira - the ancient Greek goddesses of fate, who cut the thread human life regardless of age and gender. It is believed that this name indicates the poisonous nature of the plant.

Botanical description

Perennial herbaceous plant 60-130 cm high (up to 2 m). It has a thick, multi-headed rhizome. The stem is green or dirty purple, straight, juicy, forked at the top, glandular-pubescent. Leaves up to 15-20 cm long, short-petiolate, ovate or ovate-elliptic, sharpened, entire, alternate in the lower part of the stem, on flowering shoots - brought together in pairs, one of them is larger. Flowers solitary, large, drooping, located in the leaf axils on glandular-pubescent pedicels. The calyx is five-parted, slightly enlarged near the fruits. Corolla tubular-campanulate, 20-35 mm long, brown-violet or red-brown (rarely yellow), with five short, mostly blunt lobes. Blooms in June-August. The fruit is a spherical two-celled shiny juicy black berry with purple juice.

Geographic distribution

In the wild, belladonna is common in Western and Southern Europe, on the Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean, in the Balkans, in Asia Minor. It is found from Great Britain to the Eastern Carpathians, from Spain, Yugoslavia, Greece, Romania in the south to Denmark in the north. In addition to Europe, belladonna grows in the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan (up to the Himalayas), North Africa, listed in the USA. In Ukraine, in the wild, it is found mainly in the Carpathians (Transcarpathian region), sporadically - in the Carpathian region. It grows in small groups in beech forests, clearings, lawns, clearings, edges, along river banks, among shrubs at an altitude of 300 to 1000 m above sea level. There is also belladonna in the forests of the Podolsk upland of the Crimean mountains. The plant is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Cultivation of belladonna

Due to the fact that the natural resource base is limited, belladonna is cultivated as an industrial crop in many countries of Europe, Asia and America, including Ukraine (in the Crimea) and Russia (in the Krasnodar Territory). Belladonna is a heat-loving plant, and as a perennial crop, it can only be grown in areas with mild winters and constant snow cover. During snowless winters, it freezes when the temperature drops to 10–15°C below zero. With a sufficient thickness of the snow cover, the plants can withstand temperatures down to -30°C. When grown in the shade, the leaves of belladonna become thin and delicate and contain significantly less alkaloids than the leaves of plants that are cultivated in sunny areas.

Collection and preparation

Leaf is used in medicine Folium Belladonnae) and roots ( Radix Belladonnae) plants. The leaf is harvested during the flowering of the plant. After preliminary wilting, it is dried in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of 30-40°C. The roots are dug up in autumn or spring, washed in cold water, cut into pieces 2-3 cm long (thick ones are split) and dried under a tent or in heated rooms.

Chemical composition

The leaves and other parts of belladonna contain biologically active tropane alkaloids, mainly atropine and hyoscyamine. Atropine and hyoscyamine are esters of tropine alcohol and tropic acid. In addition to them, the plant contains hyoscyamine N-oxide, hyoscine (scopolamine), apoatropine (atropamine), belladonin, tropine, chelaradin, traces of nicotine. Hyoscyamine makes up to 83-98% of all belladonna alkaloids. Atropine in belladonna is found in trace amounts, it is formed during the extraction of raw materials from hyoscyamine.
The leaves of belladonna also contain free tropic acid. In addition to tropine derivatives, norpseudotropine alkaloids, calistegins, accumulate in the roots of belladonna vulgaris. The roots of belladonna also contain the pyrrolidine alkaloid kuskggrin (bellaradin). In addition to alkaloids, belladonna roots contain volatile nitrogen-containing compounds in the form of bases (N-methylpyrrolidine, N-methylpyrroline, pyridine, tetramethyldiaminobutane). They are believed to be intermediates in the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids.
The content of alkaloids in leaves harvested as medicinal raw materials should be at least 0.3%, usually ranging from 0.15 to 1-1.2%. The roots of the plant contain 0.4–1.5% alkaloids, in the stem - 0.05–0.65%, in flowers - 0.24–0.6%, in unripe berries - 0.19%, in ripe berries - 0.21–0.7%, in seeds - 0.23–0.33%. Maximum amount alkaloids in the leaves of belladonna accumulate during budding and flowering of the plant.
Steroids (β-sitosterol), phenolcarboxylic acids and their derivatives (chlorogenic acid), oxalic and leucatropic acids, flavonoids (7-glucosido-3-rhamnosylglucosides and 7-glucosido-3-rhamnosylglucosides of quercetin and kaempferol, methylkaempferol, 7 -methylquercetin), aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-nonacosan), alcohols, tannin. Steroid glycosides of the spirostane type have been isolated from belladonna seeds.

History of application in medicine

The plant has been known since ancient times. Very little is known about the use of belladonna in medicine in ancient times. Belladonna was known as poisonous plant especially in the area of ​​its natural distribution. The healing and poisonous properties of belladonna were pointed out by Theophrastus (circa 372-287 BC) and Dioscorides (1st century AD), who called it "Strychnos manicos", which means "crazy plant".
In the ancient Germanic tribes, there were berserk warriors who dressed in bear skins and drank a drink with belladonna, which grows in the beech forests of Western Europe, before the battle. The warriors developed a state of intense excitement, and they furiously marched on the enemy.
In the medicine of the eastern countries, belladonna was used as a narcotic along with Indian hemp, and even 2500 years ago.
In one of the scientific treatises, dated 1504, belladonna was called " Solanum mortale", which means "deadly nightshade." First botanical description plants called Solanum mortiferum” appeared in 1542 in the herbalist Leonard Fuchs (1501–1565). The Polish doctor and botanist Shimon Serensky (Sireniusz, 1541–1611) wrote about her. In the Middle Ages, belladonna juice was often used as. There are cases in history when the Scots destroyed the Danes with the help of belladonna juice. Retreating, they left barrels of beer poisoned with belladonna juice for the invaders. Deciding to celebrate the victory, the Danes drank the trophy drink and plunged into a state of deep sleep. The Scots returned and easily dealt with the enemies. In the eighteenth century in Austria cases of belladonna poisoning occurred so often that the government was forced to issue several circulars with detailed description plants. Belladonna berries poisoned the soldiers of the Napoleonic army, who in 1813 stood not far from German city Pirna.
Due to its hallucinogenic properties, belladonna, like henbane, was considered magic grass and was part of witchcraft ointments and drinks. Especially popular in Europe in the XIII-XIV centuries. was the "ointment of witches", which was made from the juice of the fruit of belladonna. Women who considered themselves witches drank such a drink or rubbed themselves with ointment, after which they experienced extraordinary sensations (flight, rapid movement in space, visual, olfactory and auditory hallucinations) and were sure of their reality, they believed that they really took part in the Sabbath. Such a reincarnation was masterfully described by M. Bulgakov in the novel The Master and Margarita. That such sensations are the result of the action of belladonna, on own experience The German toxicologist Gustav Schenck, who inhaled the smoke of burning plant seeds, was convinced.
The famous alchemist and physician Paracelsus (1493-1541) believed that belladonna could cause insanity. Nevertheless, already in the Middle Ages, this plant in rather small, almost homeopathic doses began to be used for insomnia, epilepsy, bedwetting, cholera, gout, whooping cough, gastrointestinal diseases, skin and venereal diseases. In 1677, Faber described in detail the use and effect of belladonna, which he called " Solanum furiosum". In the sixteenth century Italian physician and botanist Mattiolli conducted life-threatening experiments with belladonna on criminals. Around the same time, a plant called " Herba Belladonnae"(Bella beauty grass) was used by the women of Venice to enhance the brilliance of the eyes.
In the XVIII century. belladonna was the subject of many scientific treatises, in particular Petrus Darya (1776) and Monch (1789), which indicates an increased interest in extraordinary properties this plant. The mydriatic effect of belladonna was described in 1802, but its analgesic properties were only discovered in 1860.
In 1831 Maine, and in 1833 independently of him, Geiger and Hesse isolated hyoscyamine and its isomer atropine in crystalline form from the roots of belladonna. It was found that they are the main active substances that determine the pharmacological properties of belladonna. In 1879, atropine was synthesized from atropic acid and tropine. At the end of the nineteenth century. Ladenburg established the structure of atropine and identified it with hyoscyamine.
Like a plant recognized scientific medicine, belladonna was included in the first Russian Pharmacopoeia in 1866.
Back in 1868, Trousseu considered atropine one of the most effective means with bronchial asthma. Over time, the arsenal of anti-asthma drugs, in particular bronchodilators, has expanded significantly, and atropine has faded into the background. But in the 70s of the last century, works appeared on the bronchodilatory effect of atropine and its derivatives when administered by inhalation.
At the end of the nineteenth century. Ivan Raev, a resident of the Bulgarian city of Shipki, created a remedy for Parkinson's disease, which caused a real sensation. The Italian Queen Elena had to pay four million lire for the secret of this remedy. This remedy began to treat patients with encephalitis in hospitals. In 25% of cases, patients recovered, in 40% their condition improved markedly. However, this remedy did not find wide application, since when it was used, side effects.
Long before the discovery of atropine, belladonna extract ointments were used for incarcerated hernias.
In the past, in Bohemia, belladonna root was added to beer to give it intoxicating properties, sometimes it was added to vodka. In Australia, belladonna was added to the feed of oxen to give them a smooth coat. Traditional medicine also recommended belladonna for rabies, syphilis, impotence, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Used to treat bloody diarrhea alcohol tincture belladonna berries. Fresh Juice leaves of the plant, diluted with vodka, recommended for chronic inflammation eyes in humans and animals. Applications and poultices of belladonna leaves in folk medicine recommended for infiltrates, for symptomatic treatment breast cancer.
Nowadays, in folk medicine, belladonna tincture is used for paralysis with loss of speech, arthritis, radiculitis, rheumatism, diseases gastrointestinal tract. In France, it is used for neurosis, neuralgia facial nerve, pain tics, epilepsy, constipation, hysteria, chorea, tetanus, pain in the stomach, intestinal, hepatic and renal colic, enuresis. The root extract is used as an anesthetic for gout, rheumatism, neuralgia, and the fruit tincture is used for dysentery.

Use in medicine

The use of belladonna in medicine is due to pharmacological properties its highly active alkaloids, in particular atropine. Use total herbal preparations and preparations containing purified individual chemical compounds isolated from a plant, or in the form of total and complex means.
Belladonna and atropine are used as parasympatholytic, antispasmodic and peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, chronic hyperacid gastritis, pylorospasm, with diseases of the biliary tract and gallbladder, with pancreatitis, spastic and ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, as well as gallstone and urolithiasis, intestinal colic and other diseases accompanied by spasms of smooth muscles. Since spasms usually lead to pain, atropine, along with antispasmodic, has an analgesic effect.
Priority of introduction of atropine into therapy gastric diseases belongs to the famous Russian therapist A.P. Voinovich, who back in 1891 reported on positive results treatment of gastric ulcers with atropine. The analgesic effect of atropine is manifested due to the elimination of gastrospasm and inhibition of increased gastric motility. The therapeutic effect in these cases is also a consequence of a decrease in secretion under the influence of atropine. Atropine has not lost its relevance in gastroenterology today. In case of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, it should be administered orally in an effective, individually selected dose (up to appearance of mild dry mouth). Depending on the sensitivity to atropine, the dose may be 6–8–10–12–15 drops of a 0.1% solution per dose 2–3 times a day. Assign 30-40 minutes before meals or an hour after. With an exacerbation of the disease, atropine is first administered subcutaneously.
For pain associated with spasms of smooth muscles, atropine is often administered simultaneously with analgesics (promedol, morphine, etc.).
Widespread use of belladonna preparations in the form of ointments and suppositories for spasms of the smooth muscles of the uterus, sphincters and canals genitourinary system and as an analgesic during childbirth, in postpartum period, with metritis and pelvioperitonitis.
Belladonna preparations and its alkaloids are prescribed for bradycardia of vagal etiology of origin, atrioventricular blockade and angina pectoris. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that under the influence of atropine, the heart rate increases significantly, and a functionally defective conducting system may not be able to cope with the transmission of impulses of an accelerated frequency, then a paradoxical reaction is possible - an increase in the degree of atrioventricular blockade.
Belladonna preparations and its alkaloids are also used in the treatment bronchial asthma, spasmodic cough. In this case, they can be administered as a fine aerosol (0.25 ml of a 0.1% solution is inhaled over 2-3 minutes). The anti-asthma effect of belladonna drugs is based on the ability of atropine to eliminate spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and at the same time inhibit the secretion of the bronchial mucosa. The last circumstance has great importance, since attacks of bronchial asthma depend not only on the spasm of the muscles of the bronchi, but also on rapid edema bronchial mucosa, accompanied by vasodilation and thick secretion of mucus. Therefore, atropine is especially effective in bronchial obstruction non-allergic nature.
In the 50s, a method was proposed for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia with atropine coma. High doses of atropine and atropine-like drugs obviously act on those brain structures that are directly involved in the formation of hallucinatory phenomena. Main mechanisms therapeutic action at the same time, vegetative-protective mobilization and a diffuse, massive and prolonged state of protective inhibition are considered. The ability of atropine lumps to eliminate or significantly alleviate hallucinatory symptoms and weaken the phenomena of resistance to neuroleptics made it possible to recommend this method of treatment for implementation in psychiatric practice. However, to date, due to severe toxicity, it has not found wide application in psychiatry.
When administered in small doses, atropine causes central regulation autonomic functions significant autonomic mobilization defense mechanisms in the form of shifts to the side increased tone sympathetic department CNS. Protective inhibition was less profound and appeared in the form of somnolence. Atropine is effective in the treatment depressive states circulatory and involutional genesis, resistant to other types of antipsychotic therapy.
In neurological practice, for the treatment of vegetovascular disorders, the vegetotropic preparation "Belloid", which includes the sum of belladonna alkaloids, is widely used. Under its influence, the disturbed balance of the function of both parts of the autonomic nervous system is restored. Featured high efficiency this drug for vegetovascular disorders in children, especially with sympathetic-adrenal paroxysms (Ismagilov M. F. and Alyavetdinov R. I., 1984).
The amount of belladonna alkaloids in the complex preparation "Bellazone" is used for Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism against the background of encephalitis and atherosclerosis. Widespread use in parkinsonism, spastic paresis and paralysis (including childhood cerebral palsy, paralysis against the background of damage to the extrapyramidal system) found a synthetic analogue of atropine tropacin due to more active influence on the central cholinergic systems.
Atropine is sometimes prescribed for hypersecretion of the sweat and lacrimal glands.
In ophthalmic practice, atropine (0.5-1% solutions) is used to dilate the pupil with diagnostic purpose(to establish true refraction, study of the fundus, etc.), in the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases(iritis, iridocyclitis, keratitis, uveitis) and with eye injuries. Atropine-induced relaxation of the eye muscles provides functional rest and promotes elimination pathological process. Medicinal value pupil dilation in iris disease is that it prevents its fusion with both the posterior surface of the cornea and the anterior surface of the lens.
A clinical study of the specific therapeutic efficacy of soluble therapeutic films containing atropine sulfate in patients with chronic relapsing aphthous stomatitis. Biomicroscopic studies confirm clinical efficacy films with atropine. Already 2 hours after the application of the biofilm, a significant improvement in the functional parameters of microcirculation is manifested.
As an antidote, atropine is prescribed for poisoning with various cholinomimetics (acetylcholine, carbachol, muscarine, etc.) and anticholinesterase agents (prozerin, physostigmine), including organophosphorus compounds (including household insecticides, such as chlorophos) and mushrooms, as well as for poisoning with morphine and others. analgesics, depressants (chloral hydrate). In case of poisoning with cholinomimetic and anticholinesterase substances, a 0.1% solution of atropine is administered intravenously, if necessary, repeatedly. It is proposed to use atropine sulfate also in the form of inhalations. Atropine is often given concomitantly with narcotic analgesics (morphine) to reduce side effects associated with vagus nerve stimulation.
In anesthetic practice, atropine is used for premedication before anesthesia and surgery and during surgery to prevent bronchospasm and laryngospasm, limit the secretion of the salivary and bronchial glands, reduce other reflex reactions and side effects that may occur due to excitation of the vagus nerve.
Atropine is also used in X-ray and endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract, when it becomes necessary to reduce the tone of the stomach and intestines.
In homeopathy, fresh belladonna extract is used for spasms. blood vessels and muscles, externally and internally - with mastitis, erysipelas, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, respiratory infections, laryngitis, headaches, neuritis of the facial and trigeminal nerves, otitis media, conjunctivitis, rheumatic scleritis, iritis, iridocyclitis, dacryocystitis, neuritis optic nerve, retinitis, gynecological diseases, nephritis, diseases of the urinary tract, convulsions, chorea, epilepsy, dysentery.
The therapeutic effect of belladonna root extract in African trypanosomiasis is described.
In veterinary medicine, belladonna preparations are used as an anesthetic.

Medications

belladonna tincture(Tinctura Belladonnae)
Prepared from belladonna leaf (1:10) in 40% alcohol, contains 0.027–0.033% alkaloids. Available in dropper bottles of 5 and 10 ml. Assign inside 5-10 drops per reception. Belladonna tincture is included in many other combination forms.

belladonna extract thick(Extractum Belladonnae spissum)
Included in a number of combined dosage forms. Contains 1.4–1.6% alkaloids. Single doses - 0.01–0.02 g.

Dry belladonna extract(Extractum Belladonnae siccum)
In the manufacture of dosage forms, the dry extract is used in double the amount in relation to the thick extract due to the lower content of alkaloids (0.7–0.8%). Maximum doses for adults inside: single - 0.1 g, daily - 0.3 g.

Belladonnysat Burger(Ysatfabrik, Germany)
Extract fresh leaves belladonna, 5 ml (1 measuring spoon) of which contains 0.5 mg of alkaloids. Used for gastrointestinal spasms spastic constipation, parkinsonism, vagotonia, hypersecretion, for premedication before anesthesia. Consume 1/4-1 scoop 30 minutes before meals.

Atropine sulfate(Atropini sulfas)
Produced in ampoules and syringe-tubes of 1 ml of a 0.1% solution, in tablets of 0.5 mg, as well as in the form of a powder, 1% eye ointment and eye films in plastic cases of 30 pieces containing atropine sulfate, 1 each, 6 mg in each film.
Assign atropine orally, parenterally and locally (in the form eye drops). Inside, adults are prescribed in powders, tablets and solutions (0.1%), 0.25-0.5-1 mg per dose 1-2 times a day. Subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intravenously, 0.25–0.5–1 mg (0.25–0.5–1 ml of a 0.1% solution) are administered. Children are prescribed, depending on age, 0.05–0.5 mg per dose. The maximum single dose for adults inside and subcutaneously - 1 mg, daily - 3 mg.

Tablets "Kellathrin"(Tabulettae "Khellatrinum")
Contain 0.02 g of papaverine hydrochloride, 0.02 g of kellin and 0.25 mg of atropine sulfate. Used as a vasodilator and antispasmodic for spasms coronary vessels and bodies abdominal cavity, bronchial asthma. Assign 1 tablet 2-3 times a day.

Tablets "Keliverin"(Tabulettae "Khelliverinum")
Contain 0.02 g of papaverine hydrochloride and 0.01 g of kellin. Used as a vasodilator and antispasmodic. Assign 1 tablet 2-3 times a day.

Tablets "Bevisal"(Tabulettae "Bevisalum")
Contain 0.015 g of belladonna extract, 0.25 g of basic bismuth nitrate, 0.25 g of phenyl salicylate. They are used as antispasmodic, antisecretory, antacid, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, enteritis, colitis) and urinary tract( , pyelitis, ). Assign 1 tablet 2-4 times a day.

Tablets "Bellalgin"(Tabulettae "Bellalginum")
Complex preparation containing 0.015 g of belladonna extract, 0.25 g of analgin, 0.25 g of anesthesin and 0.1 g of sodium bicarbonate. It is prescribed as an antispasmodic, antacid and analgesic, 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, mainly for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by hyperacidity spasms of smooth muscles, pain syndrome. The maximum single dose for adults is 3 tablets, the maximum daily dose- 10 tablets.

Tablets "Bepasal"(Tabulettae "Bepasalum")
Contains 0.012 g of belladonna extract, 0.3 g of phenyl salicylate and 0.03 g of papaverine hydrochloride. Assign for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, 1 tablet 2-3 times a day.

Tablets "Bellastezin"(Tabulettae "Bellastesinum")
A complex preparation containing 0.015 g of belladonna extract and 0.3 g of anesthesin. Taken as an antispasmodic and analgesic, 1 tablet 2-3 times a day for spasms of the stomach, intestines and other abdominal organs, esophagitis, cholelithiasis.

Candles "Betiol"(Suppository "Bethiolum")
Contain 0.015 g thick belladonna extract and 0.2 g ichthyol. Used for hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Belladonna extract exhibits an antispasmodic effect, reduces intestinal motility, ichthyol has anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic properties. Apply 1 suppository into the rectum 1-3 times a day. If necessary, you can use more often, but not more than 10 suppositories per day. Contraindicated in glaucoma, porstata adenoma.
Side effects: possible thirst, dry mouth, palpitations, mydriasis and temporary visual impairment, psychomotor agitation. The drug should not be used when driving vehicles and performing work that requires special attention and precise coordination of movements.

Candles "Anuzol"(Suppository "Anusolum")
Contains 0.02 g of belladonna extract, 0.1 g of xeroform, 0.05 g of zinc sulfate and 0.12 g of glycerin. Used for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Tablets "Corbella"(Tabulettae "Corbella")
Contain dry extract of belladonna root (0.001 g of alkaloids in terms of atropine). It is used for Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism against the background of chronic epidemic encephalitis, atherosclerosis, chronic poisoning manganese and other intoxications, 1 tablet at bedtime with a gradual increase in dose to the most effective for the patient.

Tablets "Urobesal"(Tabulettae "Urobesalum")
Contains 0.015 g of belladonna extract, 0.25 g of phenyl salicylate and 0.25 g of hexamethylentetramine. Take 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day for cystitis, pyelitis, pyelonephritis, colitis, enterocolitis.

R. V. Kutsik, B. M. Zuzuk, A. T. Nedostup, T. Petsko
Ivano-Frankivsk State Medical Academy

Photos and illustrations

"Beautiful woman" - this is the translation of the name of this plant. The common belladonna (Belladonna) or Krasuha, or Sleepy dope, or Mad Berry, or Mad Cherry - Atropa belladonna L., belonging to the Solanaceae family - Solanaceae, got its name due to the fact that it was used by the beauties of Ancient Rome to dilate pupils and give a mysterious brilliance eyes. The plant is extremely poisonous to humans, but completely harmless to humans. wild birds who love to feast on its fruits. But, despite the poisonousness, belladonna is medicinal plant, whose properties are used in official and folk medicine for the treatment of diseases of the heart, nervous system, eyes, gastrointestinal tract; in case of poisoning with certain substances.

Biological description

Common belladonna is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of two meters, with a powerful multi-headed rhizome. The stem is straight, thick, forked, covered with fluffy glandular hairs in the upper part. The lower leaves are short-petioled, arranged alternately; the upper ones are almost opposite, in each pair one leaf is three times larger than the other. The shape of the leaves is ovoid, pointed at the top; edge is solid.

The flowers are drooping, arranged singly or in pairs in the forks of the stem and at the base of the leaves, on pubescent pedicels. The shape of the flowers is correct; flowers are five-membered, have a double perianth. Corolla brown-violet or dirty purple, campanulate, 2-3 cm long.

The belladonna fruit is a juicy purple-black shiny berry, located in the calyx remaining after the berry is cut off. Inside are small flat seeds. The belladonna blooms from June to August, the fruits ripen from July.

The plant has a disjunctive (discontinuous) distribution area, which consists of several separate areas of growth in the Crimea, the Caucasus, Western Ukraine, in Western Europe. Wild belladonna is currently practically not harvested, as it is under protection; to obtain raw materials medicinal purposes the plant is introduced into cultivation.

Collection and preparation

When harvesting raw materials, belladonnas take precautions due to the poisonousness of the plant: they work with gloves, during the collection you should not touch your eyes and lips, after completing work, you should thoroughly wash your hands and face with soap and water.

Three types of raw materials are subject to harvesting: grass, leaves and roots. From the beginning of the budding phase to the beginning of fruiting, the leaves are harvested, cutting them off by hand up to five times during the growing season. During the fruiting period, the aerial part of the plant is mowed, leaving a stem about 10 cm high. After the final harvest of the grass, after 3-5 years of plantation use, before its liquidation, the roots of the plant are dug up using mechanized means. The roots are cleaned from the ground, washed, small ones are removed, large ones are cut along.

The raw materials are dried quickly, in artificial dryers at a temperature of 40-45 degrees.

Store dried raw materials in a dry place for two years, according to list B (potent raw materials containing alkaloids).

Chemical composition

All parts of belladonna contain the tropane alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine. The main one is optically active hyoscyamine, when isolated from plant materials, it passes into optically inactive atropine. The roots contain the alkaloid radobelin. In addition to alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, derivatives of kaempferol, quercetin, aliphatic alcohols and oxycoumarins were found in the plant.

Beneficial features

The pharmacological effect on the body of belladonna preparations is due to the action of the alkaloids hyoscyamine (atropine) and scopolamine, they have a central and peripheral M-anticholinergic effect, which manifests itself in a decrease in muscle tone. internal organs, decrease in secretion of glands, excitation of the central nervous system.

Beauty preparations affect the following body systems:

  • Central nervous system- excite it, activating mental and physical activity, increase endurance and performance.
  • Digestive - suppress the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, relieve spasm, reduce the secretion of the salivary and gastrointestinal glands, pancreas.
  • Organs of vision - dilate the pupil, which is used for diagnosis various diseases eye.
  • Respiratory - excite the respiratory center, stimulate breathing, expand the bronchi.
  • Cardiovascular - improve cardiac conduction, increase heart rate.

Application in medicine

The pharmaceutical industry produces the following belladonna preparations:

  • Atropine sulfate, tablets of 0.0005 g - are used for stomach ulcers, pylorospasm, spasms of the biliary tract and intestines, chronic gastritis and colitis, cholangitis, renal colic, bradycardia.
  • Atropine sulfate, injection 0.1% - is prescribed to relieve spasms of internal organs, before surgery and anesthesia to reduce gland secretion and prevent spasm respiratory tract. The introduction of atropine before x-ray examination gastrointestinal tract helps to reduce the motility of the stomach and intestines. In psychiatry, the solution is prescribed to patients with schizophrenia and manic depressive psychosis. In addition, atropine sulfate is administered to patients as an antidote (antidote) for poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, prozerin, morphine, mushrooms.
  • Atropine sulfate, eye drops 1%, eye ointment 1% - prescribed for dilating the pupil in the study of the fundus, with eye diseases (iritis, iridocyclitis, keratitis) to give the eyes functional rest.
  • Belladonna tincture - an antispasmodic, is part of the combined preparations: Zelenin drops, Valocormid, gastric drops (used as sedative with increased excitability, vegetative-vascular dystonia, spasms of the digestive tract).
  • Dry and thick belladonna extracts, which are obtained from the herb and leaves of the plant, are used to prepare combined preparations: Becarbon, Besalol, Bellalgin and Bellastezin tablets are used for gastritis, stomach and intestinal cramps; Teofedrin tablets are prescribed to relieve bronchospasm; suppositories Anuzol, Betiol, suppositories with belladonna extract are used to treat hemorrhoids.
  • Solutan - combined medicine, which includes radobelin - an alkaloid of belladonna roots. Solutan is prescribed for the treatment of bronchial asthma and bronchitis, it has a bronchodilator and expectorant effect.
  • Anti-asthma collection - it includes belladonna, henbane and dope leaves. The collection is set on fire and the resulting smoke is inhaled during attacks of bronchial asthma.
  • Aeron - tablets for the treatment of air and seasickness, their active ingredients are the alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine.
  • Belladonna is part of homeopathic preparations that are used in the treatment of nervous diseases, diseases of the stomach and intestines, and respiratory tract.
  • Urobesal is a tablet used to treat diseases of the urinary system and intestines.
  • Akliman, dragee - combination drug, which includes the alkaloid of belladonna roots. It is used for menopausal disorders, accompanied by disorders of the nervous system.
  • Scopolamine hydrobromide, injection 0.05% - is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, relief of withdrawal symptoms, sea and air sickness, in preparation for operations. Eye drops 0.25% is prescribed for pupil dilation in the diagnosis of eye diseases, as well as in the treatment of uveitis, iridocyclitis.

Harm and contraindications

Belladonna is an extremely poisonous plant, so its use is contraindicated in children, pregnant and lactating women. Also, belladonna preparations should not be used in patients suffering from glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, obstructive diseases of the urinary tract and intestines, coronary heart disease, tachycardia. With caution prescribe belladonna preparations to the elderly.

With an overdose of belladonna preparations, dry mouth, dilated pupils, impaired urination, and palpitations are noted. When large doses of belladonna enter the body, there is a loss of consciousness, hallucinations, and death is possible.

In case of poisoning with belladonna preparations, it is necessary:

  • call " ambulance»,
  • wash the stomach
  • take activated charcoal and strong tea (it contains tannin, which contributes to the precipitation of alkaloids),
  • administer antagonist drugs, for example, prozerin,
  • in case of cardiac and respiratory arrest, resuscitation is carried out.

You need to be especially careful when walking with children: belladonna berries look very attractive, but two fruits are lethal dose for a small child.

Folk recipes

  • Infusion of leaves - for depression, neuralgia, pulmonary tuberculosis, convulsions.
  • Tincture of leaves - inside with intestinal colic, insomnia, diarrhea. Outwardly in the form of compresses for tumors and infiltrates.
  • A decoction of the roots - inside with Parkinson's disease, neuralgia. Outwardly - with rheumatism and gout.
  • Fresh leaves - applied to tumors, used to treat skin diseases.

Application in other industries

In veterinary medicine, a decoction and infusion of belladonna are used as an analgesic, however, it should be remembered that exceeding the dosage can lead to poisoning of horses, poultry, and cattle. Rabbits are insensitive to belladonna.

Infusion and decoction can also be used to kill fleas and other harmful insects.

cultivation

The belladonna is a heat-loving plant; its cultivation requires a climate with mild and snowy winters. Otherwise, the plant may freeze when low temperatures. The site for planting is chosen sunny, since it does not form in the shade enough alkaloids. Sowing seeds begins when the soil warms up well, the better the land is plowed, the more powerful the belladonna root system will develop.

The soil must be fertile, permeable to air and moisture. With a lack of watering, belladonna will have small and weak leaves. Very good to apply to the soil mineral fertilizers. Periodically, it is recommended to loosen the soil and weed weeds so that young plants develop better.

Photo belladonna common



It is believed that Latin name belladonna - Atropa - comes from the name of the goddess of fate Atropa. When the time allotted for a person to live ended, the goddess cut the thread of life with her scissors and the person died. This name also testifies to the poisonous properties of the plant, which frightened and repelled people. belladonna was considered magical plant, in the Middle Ages there was a belief that a witch's potion brewed from belladonna could turn a person into a witch. Long time folk medicine used belladonna to a limited extent due to fear of its poisonous properties.

Belladonna, or belladonna as it is often called, is a perennial herbaceous plant whose height is 1-2 meters. This plant belongs to the nightshade family. Belladonna has a strong multi-headed rhizome, which resembles a cylinder with a diameter of about 8 cm. The roots of the plant are very powerful and branched. plant stem - Green colour(and sometimes with a purple tint), always straight, with many branches.

The leaves of belladonna are pointed and ovoid in shape, the color of the leaves is dark green. The lower and upper leaves differ in size. The upper leaves are arranged in pairs, but the lower ones are alternate.

Belladonna can be recognized by its flowers: they are very large (3 cm) brown-violet on the outside and dirty yellow on the inside. The fruit of belladonna is a black glossy berry that resembles an ordinary cherry in appearance. The berry consists of two nests, has many seeds. The taste of the berry is sweetish, and the juice is dark purple. Black seeds are about 2 mm long, both flat and irregular, angular or round.

The flowering of the plant depends on the year of life. For example, if a plant is in the first year of vegetation, then it blooms in August, and if it more years, then flowering begins in May and lasts until the end of the growing season. Fruit ripening occurs from July to September.

Belladonna is a plant that is very common in the mountains of the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Carpathians. But this poisonous plant also grows in Malaya and Central Asia, Afghanistan, South America, Pakistan and USA.

The plant can grow both singly and in the form of thickets on the outskirts of roads, in clearings and edges in the forest. Belladonna grows in moist, humus and loose soil. Surprisingly, it is poisonous and dangerous plant was listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Belladonna is a poisonous plant: all parts of it are poisonous, including the fruits. There have been cases when people were poisoned by honey, which was produced from belladonna pollen.

Belladonna is very dangerous for children: just two berries of this "mad cherry" lead to the death of a child. But birds do not care for this berry: thrush, starlings and other birds can peck this berry without fear.

Medicinal properties of belladonna

The whole plant contains the alkaloid hyoscyamine. Atropine is the main alkaloid of the plant, which has antispasmodic and neurogenic properties. It reduces the tone of the intestines, uterus, and other smooth muscle organs.

All the alkaloids contained in belladonna improve heart function, can dilate pupils and increase pressure inside the eye.

Application of belladonna

The leaves of the plant are used to produce tinctures, tablets, extracts and other preparations for the treatment of various diseases.

On the basis of belladonna, preparations are made that are used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic for intestinal and stomach ulcers, for muscle pain, and even for epilepsy.

received in ophthalmology wide application atropine, which was isolated from belladonna. But if a person has increased eye pressure, then the use of belladonna as an eye treatment is contraindicated.

Belladonna is used for poisoning toxic substances or mushrooms.

Small doses of belladonna are used if they want to reduce the secretion of salivary or sweat glands. And also a small dose of this poisonous plant normalizes the peristalsis of the pathways that remove bile and urine from the body.

Scopolamine content was found in the roots of the plant. Scopolamine is a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.

The juice squeezed from the leaves of the plant helps to remove dark spots, if any, on any human skin area.


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belladonna treatment

Belladonna tincture. This tincture is used as an anesthetic for nephrolithiasis or when calculous cholecystitis. This tincture is easy to prepare. You need to take 10 grams of belladonna leaves and pour half a glass of 96% alcohol on them. Tincture should be removed in a dark place for one week to infuse. Next, do not forget to strain the remedy and take 5-10 drops for pain.

Belladonna decoction. Take 10 grams of crushed belladonna roots and fill them with one glass boiled water. We put on fire for half an hour, after which we cool for about 10 minutes and filter. This decoction is used for pain in the joints. Compresses are made from the decoction or simply rubbed with them on problem (painful) areas of the body.

Tincture of belladonna leaves. You need to take 10 grams of belladonna leaves and insist them on 100 ml of 40% alcohol. It is necessary to take such a tincture in 5-10 drops. This medicine is used for colic and insomnia. And externally it is used for tumors, breast cancer and infiltrate.

Belladonna decoction. This decoction is used to treat Parkinson's disease. You need to prepare such a remedy as follows: take 30 grams of dried and crushed plant roots and mix them with 100 grams activated carbon. Pour all this into 750 ml of dry white wine and put on fire. Cook for 10 minutes and remove from heat. Ready broth must be filtered. Take this brew 3 times daily before meals. Treatment lasts 3 days. A single dose of taking the medicine is 1 teaspoon. When 3 hours have passed after taking the decoction, you must take nutmeg(on the tip of a knife). Or you can just chew a little calamus root.

Belladonna poisoning and first aid for it

Belladonna is a poisonous plant. Therefore, it is necessary to take drugs from it carefully and only under the supervision of a doctor.

Belladonna poisoning is a consequence after eating the berries of this plant (which is most often done by kids). When belladonna is harvested on plantations, it is toxic to the human body due to the fact that it is touched by hands, and then touched by them on the face.

Symptoms of belladonna poisoning are as follows: dryness is observed in the oral and nasal cavities, the pupils are dilated, vision is impaired, the face turns red. A rash is visible on the body. A person poisoned with belladonna suffers from headaches, hallucinations, it is difficult to swallow, his voice is hoarse, and vomiting and diarrhea also occur.

First aid for belladonna poisoning. Of course, the very first important decision- call an ambulance! While the doctor arrives at the injured person, he needs to do a gastric lavage. To do this, make the victim drink 250–1250 ml of a solution of weak potassium permanganate or simple weak tea. Poisonous alkaloids are bound by tannin, which is contained in tea and potassium permanganate, which does not allow alkaloids to be further absorbed into the stomach. After that, a person who has poisoned with belladonna should begin - this is normal! After taking potassium permanganate, you need to do the following: take 20-30 activated charcoal tablets, crush them and pour 200 ml cold water. We stir it all and give it to the poisoned person to drink.

If necessary, you can wash the stomach again, but not earlier than after the first wash, 1-2 hours will pass.

When strong heartbeat or in the presence of shortness of breath, heart drops should be given to the victim.

If the heart suddenly stops and the person stops breathing, then resuscitation measures should be taken immediately.

Even if the victim feels better, he still needs to go to the hospital.

In order not to be poisoned by this plant, you need to follow the dosage and take preparations from belladonna very carefully!

Common belladonna is a perennial herbaceous plant up to two meters high, belongs to the Solanaceae family. They call it differently - belladonna, crazy cherry. This poisonous plant has been successfully used in conservative and traditional medicine, helping to get rid of many diseases.

Belladonna. Photo and description

The belladonna has a thick rhizome, resembling a cylinder in shape, and a long main root with shoots extending from it. A straight green or purple stem forks at the top. The dark green belladonna leaves are ovoid with sharp edges. The lower leaves are larger than the upper ones, which are arranged in pairs.

Belladonna has large single flowers (2-3 cm) of a brown-violet or dirty purple hue. The fruit is a slightly flattened black berry, similar in size and shape to a cherry with a sweet and sour taste. Inside the berry is a dark purple juice. What the plant looks like can be seen in the photo.

Seeds of belladonna are about two millimeters long, rounded with a pitted surface, black in color. The plant is included in the Red Book, is highly poisonous. Two or three berries are enough for a child, fifteen or twenty for an adult for severe poisoning. Belladonna juice is also dangerous. Do not touch the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes with contaminated hands, skin faces.

Legend

The name Belladonna, translated from Italian into Russian, means "beautiful woman". In ancient times, the beauties of Italy used belladonna juice to instill their eyes. This contributed to the expansion of the pupils, the eyes became shiny. Berry juice was rubbed on the cheeks to give them a natural blush. has another name - "rabies", since atropine, which is part of it, causes strong arousal and even rage.

The generic name (Atropa) is derived from the Greek goddess of death. Of the three goddesses of fate (parks), she was the eldest. According to legend, a park named Cloto had a spindle and a thread of fate in its hands, Lachesis drew the future of a person on a ball, and Atropos cut the thread of life using scissors. Atropa was depicted with cypress branches in her hair. The frightening name of belladonna speaks of its strong toxicity.

The black berry was used by witches to reduce pain during burning at the stake. A condemned witch, who was being led to her execution, was discreetly given some belladonna. By swallowing the potion, the witch facilitated her transition to other worlds. The belladonna vulgaris was also used to reduce the pain of childbirth.

Spreading

Single specimens or small thickets can be found in forest clearings, roadsides, river banks. It grows wild in the Crimean and Carpathian mountains, in the Caucasus, in the Krasnodar Territory. Also grows in Europe, Central and Asia Minor, Afghanistan, Pakistan, USA, South America.

The common belladonna belongs to the endangered species of our flora. Intensive irrational harvesting of medicinal raw materials led to a reduction in the range of this plant. In some places, a plant called belladonna has completely disappeared, a photo of which can be seen below.


flowering time

Blossoms in the first year of vegetation in August, in subsequent years, flowering begins in May and continues until the end of the growing season. Fruit ripening occurs from July to September.

When to Collect

Grass and leaves are harvested from June to July. Roots are dug up in early autumn or early spring. This occurs in the second year of the growing season.

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The leaves of the plant must be collected by hand. First, those that are below are cut off, after two or three weeks - the leaves that grow on the branches. Collect them several times during the summer. After that, the plant must be mowed and cut off the upper foliage.

The mowed grass is cut into pieces 4 centimeters long. Raw material, decomposed thin layer, dried under a canopy. In autumn, special dryers are used. As for harvesting the roots, they need to be shaken off the ground, washed, cut into pieces of 10-20 centimeters, dried in a dryer, then dried at a temperature of 40 degrees. Store raw materials for no more than two years.


When preparing belladonna, care must be taken to protect the hands and face. After work, they are well washed with water.

Chemical composition

The roots and ground part of the plant contain hyoscyamine. after processing, it is converted into atropine, thanks to which the plant is effectively used in the treatment of various diseases. In addition, the plant contains minerals, wax, mucus, organic acids, protein, fats, as well as other poisonous alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, apoatropine, hyoscine, belladonin, etc. Kuskigrin is found in the root.

Useful properties and scope

The alkaloids hyoscyamine (atropine) and scopolamine in the composition of the plant have a central and peripheral M-anticholinergic effect, as a result of which the tone of the muscles of the internal organs decreases, the secretion of the glands decreases, and the central nervous system is excited.

Plant-based preparations contribute to the activation of mental and physical activity, increase endurance and performance. They relieve increased irritability, insomnia, are used in the treatment of neurodermatitis, vegetative dystonia,

Belladonna also influences digestive system- suppresses the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves spasms, reduces the secretion of the salivary and gastric glands, the pancreas. Belladonna extract is included in the composition of gastric tablets as an antispasmodic, anticholinergic, analgesic, antiseptic agent.

Common belladonna is used in ophthalmology, in particular in the diagnosis eye diseases, thanks to the ability of the respiratory system when taking drugs based on this plant, the respiratory center is excited, breathing is stimulated, and the bronchi expand. Taking medications in which the main active substance belladonna acts, improves cardiac conduction, increases heart rate.


Black Berry is a raw material for crafting local preparations, which are used to treat hemorrhoids and anal fissures. They help to quickly reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling of the suppositories, which include belladonna. The instruction says that to alleviate the condition, you must first put a cleansing enema, then enter the suppository into anus. The procedure is repeated 1-3 times a day for a week.

Beauty in gynecology is also used in the form of candles. They are used before childbirth to relax the uterus and reduce the risk prolonged labor. Starting from the 35th week, you can put one candle at a time before going to bed (or one or two before the very birth). Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.

From fruits, seeds, root extract and aerial parts are prepared homeopathic preparations. They are used in the treatment of spasms of blood vessels and muscles, mastitis, erysipelas, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, headaches, neuritis, convulsions, otitis media, conjunctivitis, gynecological diseases, nephritis, epilepsy, urinary tract diseases, SARS, laryngitis, dysentery.

Beauty in folk medicine

Traditional medicine with the help of belladonna treats impotence, paralysis, arthritis, sciatica, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, rabies, gastrointestinal diseases, intestinal, hepatic and renal colic, epilepsy, neurosis, migraine, depression, rheumatism, some venereal diseases, urine- and cholelithiasis, skin, mental illness, obesity, constipation, whooping cough, scarlet fever and even, according to healers, breast cancer.

Powder

From the powder of belladonna leaves, anti-asthma preparations and preparations are prepared, which are used to treat bronchial asthma and bronchitis. A teaspoon of the powder is burned, the smoke is inhaled.

belladonna infusion

The infusion of the plant is taken for spasmophilia, paralysis, depression, epilepsy, neuralgia, convulsions, tuberculosis, and rabies. The root extract is used to treat African trypanosomiasis.

Alcohol tincture

To obtain a tincture, it is necessary to insist the leaves of the plant on 40% alcohol. Take 10 parts of alcohol per part of the herb. Use 5-10 drops. The remedy relieves diarrhea, colic, insomnia. belladonna tincture is used externally for tumors mammary glands, infiltrates. A tincture of the fruit is used to treat dysentery.


Decoction

In folk medicine, a decoction of the roots of a plant such as belladonna is also used. The use of the drug helps to relieve pain in diseases such as gout, rheumatism, neuralgia. To prepare it, you need to place five grams of grass in a glass dish, pour white table wine (100 ml), add 0.1 g of activated charcoal. The mixture should be boiled for about 10 minutes, then insist for two hours, strain. Store the resulting product in a dark, cool place for no more than 15 days. Use 1 tsp, gradually increasing the dosage to 2 tbsp. l.

Rubbing from arthrosis

Joint pain caused by arthrosis and degenerative changes are treated with a decoction of the plant. To prepare the remedy, you need to take ground belladonna roots (1 tsp), pour 200 ml of boiling water. The medicine is boiled over low heat for half an hour, cooled, filtered. Sore joints are rubbed twice a day for two weeks.

belladonna powder for asthma

Dried belladonna leaves are ground into powder, which is taken three times a day before meals on the tip of a knife. The course of treatment is 7 days.

Remedy for insomnia

In this case, vodka tincture is used. Leaves should be poured with vodka (1:10), infused for 21 days in a dark place. Use 15 drops twice a day. If necessary, the dosage may be increased to 23 drops, but no more.

Application in other areas

Beauty is used in veterinary medicine as a painkiller. Belladonna extract is detrimental to fleas.

The plant can be used to make red and blue dye.

Contraindications

Since the belladonna (belladonna) is very poisonous, it cannot be used without the appointment of a specialist. In the treatment of such drugs, strict adherence to the dosage and medical supervision is necessary.


The common belladonna is not used to treat children, pregnant and lactating women. It is forbidden to use preparations based on belladonna for those who have glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, obstructive diseases of the urinary tract and intestines, ischemic disease heart, tachycardia. Elderly people should be wary of taking this drug.

Overdose

In the event of an overdose of a belladonna-based drug, a person experiences dry mouth, his pupils dilate, his face turns red, and small rash on the body, urination is disturbed, the heartbeat quickens, headache, vomiting, diarrhea.

The first symptoms of poisoning appear after 15-20 minutes. At first, excitement arises, a person feels cheerful, fusses, talks a lot, can laugh, dance. Thoughts of the victim replace one another. Then hallucinations begin, the person hears voices and sounds. violated visual perception- colors are indistinguishable, dark objects look bright. Attacks of aggression, rabies are possible. After 8-12 hours, the victim gradually calms down, feels weak and falls asleep.

A large concentration of poison in the blood leads to a complete loss of orientation. The victim's temperature rises, the pulse weakens, convulsions may occur. Large doses of belladonna can lead to loss of consciousness, hallucinations, and possibly death.

First aid

If poisoning is suspected, an ambulance should be called immediately. Before the doctor arrives, you need to do a gastric lavage. The victim should drink several glasses of potassium permanganate solution or weak tea, induce vomiting. Then 20 activated charcoal tablets are ground into powder, poured cold water, stir and drink. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after 2 hours.


If a person has shortness of breath, you need to give. If the heart and breathing stop, resuscitation is immediately carried out. The patient is taken to the hospital even if he feels better.

Belladonna-based preparations should be used with great care. If the condition worsens, belladonna treatment should be stopped immediately.