In modern taxonomy, the family Solanaceae (Solanoceae) unites approximately 2,700 species of cleavage plants belonging to the dicotyledonous class. The family includes valuable food, medicinal and ornamental nightshade plants. Most species of representatives of this family grow in the temperate, tropical and subtropical zones - mostly in South and Central America, as well as in Eurasia. Some species belonging to the nightshade family have found medical use, however, medicinal nightshade plants such as mandrake and belladonna are used with great care.
Mandrake officinalis
All types of mandrake are rare, hard to find plants. Mandragora officinalis grows in Southern Europe (Calabria, Sicily). The root of this plant, shaped like a human figure, has been attributed since ancient times to the ability to heal all parts of the body.body. The round fruit of nightshade plants was also endowed with miraculous properties. In ancient Egypt and Rome, mandrake "apples" were used as a means of increasing sexual desire.
From time immemorial, mandrake preparations have been used as drugs that have an anesthetic, sedative and hypnotic effect. Modern studies of the active substances of mandrake have revealed the presence of tropane alkaloids in the roots of the plant, which have a depressing effect on the nervous system, including some higher autonomic centers. Preparations prepared on the basis of the root of the plant are used to relieve muscle, neuralgic and joint pain, as well as pain and spasms in gastrointestinal disorders. An alcoholic tincture of the root is included in the composition of drugs against vitiligo and other skin diseases, and in some cases it is recommended to take it as a sleeping pill. Medicinal plants of the nightshade family should be taken with great care, as they can have severe side effects, and even be fatal. Independent use of mandrake can lead to irreversible consequences - memory loss, impaired brain function.
Belladonna (Belladonna)
Nightshade plants sometimes have absolutely amazing names. Despite the fact that the species name of belladonna from the genus belladonna is translated from Italian as "beautiful woman", the plant is oftenthey call it sleepy dope, mad berry and mad cherry. In the Middle Ages, this plant was used as a source of poison. An ointment was made from belladonna, which was rubbed into the body of women recognized as witches. The ointment acted as a "lie detector": under the influence of toxic substances, the unfortunate victims under torture confessed to everything that the inquisitors needed. A dangerous medicinal plant is not used in modern folk medicine, however, the pharmacological properties of belladonna, which coincide with the properties of the alkaloids of the atropine group, are used in medical practice. Belladonna extract is included in the composition of funds that are used to treat bronchial asthma, gastritis and other diseases. With the help of a preparation based on the extract of this plant, the state of the vessels of the fundus is studied. Belladonna, like other dangerous nightshade plants, is forbidden by doctors for self-treatment.
