Atropa acuminata
| Atropa acuminata | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Atropa acuminata (common name: indian belladonna)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Germination of stored seed is slow and erratic, usually taking 1 - 6 months at 10°c[1][2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of softwood terminal shoots in spring[2].
Root cuttings in winter[2].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in any well-drained moisture retentive soil[2] in sun or partial shade[3]. Prefers a calcareous soil[4][5][6][7]. When grown as a medicinal plant, the highest levels of the medically active alkaloids are obtained from plants growing on a light, permeable chalky soil, especially when on a south-west facing slope[5]. The highest concentrations are also formed when the plant is growing in a sunny position and in hot summers[3].
Plants tend to be short-lived[2].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to Baluchistan.
Habitat: Found at elevations between 1800 and 3600 metres[8].
Medicinal: Indian belladonna has very similar uses to the related deadly nightshade (A. bella-donna). The roots and leaves are used in India as anodyne, diuretic, mydriatic, narcotic and sedative[8]. The following uses for deadly nightshade are also probably applicable for this species[K]:-
Although it is poisonous, deadly nightshade has a long history of medicinal use and has a wide range of applications, in particular it is used to dilate the pupils in eye operations, to relieve intestinal colic and to treat peptic ulcers[9]. The plant can be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, reducing tremors and rigidity whilst improving speech and mobility[9]. It has also been used as an antidote in cases of mushroom or toadstool poisoning[10]. This is a very poisonous plant, it should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[3]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
All parts of the plant are analgesic, antidote, antispasmodic, diuretic, hallucinogenic, mydriatic, narcotic and sedative[5][10][6][11][12][13][14][15][8]. The root is the most active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn and can be 1 - 3 years old, though the older roots are very large and difficult to dig up[5][10]. The leaves are harvested in late spring and dried for later use[10].
All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids[9]. The leaves contain on average 0.4% active alkaloids, whilst the root contains around 0.6%[8]. The alkaloid content also varies according to the development of the plant, being low when the plant is flowering and very high when bearing green berries[8]. These alkaloids inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system which controls involuntary body activities. This reduces saliva, gastric, intestinal and bronchial secretions, as well as the activity of the urinary tubules, bladder and intestines[9].
An extract of the plant has been used as eyedrops. It has the effect of dilating the pupils thus making it easier to perform eye operations[5][16]. In the past women used to put the drops in their eyes in order to make them look larger and thus 'more beautiful'[5][16].
The entire plant, harvested when coming into flower, is used to make a homeopathic remedy[16]. This is used especially in cases where there is localised and painful inflammation that radiates heat[16]. It is also used to treat sunstroke and painful menstruation[3].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The whole plant, and especially the root, is very poisonous[5][10][17][18][19][13]. Even handling the plant has been known to cause problems if the person has cuts or grazes on the hand[5]. The plant is particularly dangerous for children since the fruit
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References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.