The Effects of Nightshade

Grazing Animals Effects

• Different plants within the nightshade family, including bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), horse nettle (Solanum carolinense), and silverleaf (Solanum elaeagnifolium), poison animals once consumed. The exact amount needed for toxicity to occur are determined by type of nightshade and plant maturity, according to the University of Illinois. Grazing animals eat the plant when it grows rampant in fields. Hypersalivation, anorexia, major gastrointestinal problems and hemorrhage are "irritant" signs that an animal ingested these plants. Nervous symptoms seen in grazers include dilated pupils, tremors, breathing trouble and paralysis of the animal's back legs. Death can result from too much nightshade ingestion. Keep your livestock out of fields that contain excess quantities of the plant. Mow nightshade and dig it up once flowers have bloomed.

Human Ingestion

• Fatality can occur from nightshade consumption. Bittersweet nightshade berries have been known to cause death in children, although rare, who can find the fruit's appearance appealing when tangled with blackberry plants, according to the King County government. Another type of nightshade, Atropa belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, causes poison symptoms that include dizziness, respiratory troubles, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and agitated raving. Safe nightshade plants to ingest belong in the Capsicum family. You find them at your local supermarket in hot sauce and chili pepper products.

Drug Interactions

• Brand names belladonna tincture and belladonna leaf are used as prescription drugs. Physicians prescribe them to patients with stomach ulcers and spasms. Belladonna treats motion sickness and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also said to reduce the effects of infant upset. At the time of publication, however, the Federal Drug Administration was working with companies that sell infant teething medicine to recall products containing belladonna. Potential side effects from taking belladonna include eye pain, rash, allergic reaction and rapid or fluctuating heart rate.

Historical Facts

• Medieval Italian woman added belladonna to their makeup regimen to brighten their eyes and flush their cheeks. Both the Greek and Roman's were aware of nightshade and knew of the plant's poisonous properties. Witches and sorcerers dabbled with poisonous belladonna. People in medieval times hired professional killers to poison with nightshade, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.