Fantasy of Knowledge

The ladies of the baroque use of atropine in order to attract the male gender to be. They sprinkled it in the eyes, which meant that the pupils are dilated. Dark eyes, at that time to be desirable.

Of this, the Latin name of the plant can be derived, is obtained from the atropine: Atropa belladonna, deadly nightshade. Atropa comes from the Greek goddess Atropos, who cuts the thread of life. Belladonna means "beautiful woman". The name belladonna could come from the fact that people who eat the shiny black berries, like "mad" behavior (crazy).
Effect of atropine

Nowadays one knows the exact mechanism of action of atropine, and it comes in various fields of medicine used. Atropine exerts its effect in the system of Parasymphatikus. There, it inhibits the action of acetylcholine, a chemical transmitter of nervous impulses.

In ophthalmology, it is still used for the dilation of pupils, but not for cosmetic reasons. Ophthalmologists can thus examine the eye. Furthermore, atropine in spasms of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and is used for the treatment of incontinence.

Since belladonna are extremely toxic, is atropine and prescription in pharmacies!