Interesting facts

In Greek mythology Atropa, from the Greek atropos (unchangeable, irrevocable), is the name of the goddess of death, the oldest of the three Fates who severs the thread of life. The name Belladonna comes from the Italian bella donna = beautiful woman and is probably derived from the fact that Italian women used to use atropine to dilate the pupils to conform with the fashion ideal of the time. The berries are said to have been used as make-up.

Some of the German names such as Tollkirsche (toll = mad, Kirsche = cherry) and Wutbeere (Wut = anger, Beere = berry) are derived from the symptoms of poisoning: first the face becomes flushed and the pupils dilated; after ingestion of large doses, this is followed by marked restlessness, incessant talking, crying fits, clouding of consciousness and delirium.

At the time of the witch hunts Deadly Nightshade played an ignominious role: it was used to make an ointment which was applied to women accused of being witches. The hallucinogenic effect led them to confess under torture everything their tormentors wanted to hear.

The highly toxic plant also used to be used to make poisonous concoctions and love potions. A toast to the madness of love!