Description.
Belladonna (otherwise - belladonna) is a herbaceous perennial, a representative of the Solanaceae family. More than other species of this plant, two are common - Caucasian belladonna and ordinary belladonna (externally very similar).
The plant grows to two meters, has a multi-headed root system with a large branching. Thick and juicy stems, leaves dense, brownish-green color, regular, have an elongated-ovoid shape. Flowers on short pedicels, solitary, drooping, small, bell-shaped. The calyx of the flower has five brownish-violet blades. The fruit is a black, shiny, sweetish taste of a berry with many seeds, reminiscent of cherries or cherries. Blooms from the beginning to the end of summer, the fruits of the plant ripen in July.
Common bellies common in Western Europe, the Crimea, Moldova, Ukraine. The Caucasian belladonna grows in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, in Iran and various regions of the Caucasus. Another species of belladonna, distinguished by yellow flowers, grows in the tropical zone.
On plantations in Krasnodar Krai the plant is cultivated as a medicinal plant. Because of toxic properties it is not used in folk medicine.
Chemical constituents of plants.
In the composition of belladonna, alkaloids of the tropane series are the active ingredient. Among them, the main one is hyoscyamine, which, as a result of the separation from the raw material, is partially converted to atropine.
The belladonna also contains a number of other biologically active substances: apoatropin, its isomer - belladonin, scopolamine, its isomer - hyoscine, and others. These alkaloids are contained in all parts of the plant, but their maximum content is in leaves and roots. As the raw material for the drug, the belladonna leaves are predominantly used. Toxic are all parts of the plant.
Useful properties of the plant.
Preparations, which include the plant belladonna, can reduce the secretion of the secretion of various glands: lacrimal, gastric, sweat, salivary, bronchial, and digestive secretions of the pancreas. They reduce the spasmodic condition of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and bile ducts.
Influence on the heart is possible completely different: both positive (increases the conduction to the ventricles of the heart heart pulses from the atrium), and negative (strong palpitation).
The ability of belladonna to maximally expand the pupils when instilled has found application in medicine when examining the fundus. This increases the intraocular pressure and disturbs the outflow of intraocular fluid.
Negative properties of belladonna.
This plant is easy to poison. Dryness and burning in the mouth and throat, hoarseness of voice, unpleasant sensations when swallowing and uttering sounds, dilated pupils that do not respond to light, a person begins to see badly near, a strong heartbeat: all these are signs of poisoning.
There is shortness of breath, the temperature rises, skin becomes bluish, swelling on the face, in the legs and forearms. There are hallucinations of various kinds (characteristic signs: colored, bright, colored in red (rats, devils) and delirium (misperception of the situation, events, behavior of others) .After getting severe poisoning, there is a disturbance of consciousness, excitation passes into convulsions. help such a person, he will die from cardiac arrest and breathing.
Rinse the stomach and give several tablets of activated charcoal - the first thing to do when poisoning belladonna. Without medical intervention, it is difficult to cope with such poisoning, so it is necessary to call an ambulance.
Application of belladonna in medicine.
In the pharmacy you can buy several drugs, which include belladonna: it is an extract of belladonna thick, tincture of belladonna, and dry bell extract. Their use, mainly, is associated with antispasmodic properties: with duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer, cholelithiasis, bronchial asthma, renal colic and a number of other diseases that are accompanied by spasms of the muscles of the internal organs.
For the purpose of diagnosis, preparations of belladonna are used before the examination of the fundus for instillation (the pupil at the same time expands and the fundus is clearly visible).
Drugs with the use of belladonna have contraindications with an increase in the prostate gland, increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma), with serious violations in the work of the cardiovascular system and a number of other diseases. Individual intolerance is also a contraindication for use.
During the period of treatment with drugs, belladonna should avoid driving the car and doing activities that require good vision and increased concentration.
Belladonna is a dangerous poisonous herb. It can be used only in the composition of medicines that are purchased at the pharmacy.