Belladonna, scientifically known as Atropa belladonna or Atropa bella-donna, is a herbaceous plant often called deadly nightshade. Its leaves and berries are extremely poisonous, capable of causing hallucinations and other severe effects when consumed. Ingesting just a few berries can be lethal, particularly for children. Historically, belladonna has been utilized for medicinal, cosmetic, and toxic purposes. It originates from Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa but has also spread to parts of North America. One of its key components is atropine, which is used medicinally for its impact on the nervous system due to its anticholinergic properties. Other similar active ingredients include hyoscyamine. In the past, women used belladonna cosmetically to dilate their pupils, taking advantage of its anticholinergic effects. Although it has been employed as a sedative and in cold remedies, ingesting any belladonna product is highly dangerous and should be avoided. Symptoms of overdose can manifest as blurred vision, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, headaches, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. The name "belladonna" comes from the Italian phrase meaning "beautiful woman."
