Deadly nightshade as a medicinal plant

The scientific name of this species is Atropa belladonna. The first part is named after Atropos, the third of the Greek Fates, whose task it was to cut the individual's thread of life.
This reference to the plant's very poisonous nature is striking.

The second part of the name is Italian and comes from the plant's use in cosmetics by women courtiers in the eighteenth century to render themselves more beautiful.

The action of its substances is relaxing and spasmolytic. The physicians of the past called the plant Solanum somniferum.

In very limited doses deadly nightshade is still used as a pre-anaesthetic and pain-killer. One of its components – atropine – is used to dilate the pupils.