Post by Alice on Jul 9, 2012 3:02:31 GMT -5
Another entry from my herbal, which will be updated as the occasion calls for.
Atropa Belladonna
Folk Names: Belladonna, Banewort, Black Cherry, Deadly Nightshade, Death's Herb, Devil's Cherries, Divale, Dwale, Dwaleberry, Dwayberry, Fair Lady, Great Morel, Naughty Man's Cherries, Sorcerer's Berry, Witch's Berry
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Water
Deities: Hecate, Bellona, Circe
Priests of the Roman war goddess Bellona, drank a ritual beverage before their rites which was supposedly made from Belladonna. I am going to attempt to procure the recipe at some point. If I can find it, I will share.
The Belladonna is used to induce visions and facilitate astral projection.
The plant is a deadly toxin and is best left to those with experience, or used under the supervision of a skilled poisoner.
Applied to the eyes Belladonna causes the pupils to dilate, and it is sometimes used in optometry, though this practice has recently fallen out of favor because of the toxicity of the herb and the reluctance of many patients to use it. In this capacity it has a history as a cosmetic. In sixteenth century Italy the fashion was for women to have the appearance of large, dark eyes; which was achieved through the use of Belladonna... The unfortunate side effect often being premature loss of vision.
I have heard of the use of a whole Belladonna leaf to prevent blood from clotting when stored in a refrigerator. While not a popular method, and potentially a dangerous one, it is apparently an effective means of preservation.
May you find what you seek,
Alice
Atropa Belladonna
Folk Names: Belladonna, Banewort, Black Cherry, Deadly Nightshade, Death's Herb, Devil's Cherries, Divale, Dwale, Dwaleberry, Dwayberry, Fair Lady, Great Morel, Naughty Man's Cherries, Sorcerer's Berry, Witch's Berry
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Water
Deities: Hecate, Bellona, Circe
Priests of the Roman war goddess Bellona, drank a ritual beverage before their rites which was supposedly made from Belladonna. I am going to attempt to procure the recipe at some point. If I can find it, I will share.
The Belladonna is used to induce visions and facilitate astral projection.
The plant is a deadly toxin and is best left to those with experience, or used under the supervision of a skilled poisoner.
Applied to the eyes Belladonna causes the pupils to dilate, and it is sometimes used in optometry, though this practice has recently fallen out of favor because of the toxicity of the herb and the reluctance of many patients to use it. In this capacity it has a history as a cosmetic. In sixteenth century Italy the fashion was for women to have the appearance of large, dark eyes; which was achieved through the use of Belladonna... The unfortunate side effect often being premature loss of vision.
I have heard of the use of a whole Belladonna leaf to prevent blood from clotting when stored in a refrigerator. While not a popular method, and potentially a dangerous one, it is apparently an effective means of preservation.
May you find what you seek,
Alice