example, as a pulmonary inhaler) without the additional complica-
tion of CNS effects.
The major poison in Atropa belladonna is atropine. The plant also
contains a smaller amount of a closely related and equally poisonous
molecule, scopolamine. Several plants—cousins to Atropa belladonna
and all members of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family of plants—
contain varying amounts of atropine and scopolamine. These include
Mandragora officinarum (mandrake), Hyosyamus niger (henbane),
Datura (jimson weed or thorn apple), Brugmansia (angel’s trumpet),
and Brunfelsia. All these are known and respected for their poison
qualities. Shamans or herbalists who have interest in these plants
practice their art with the greatest of care.
Figure 8.4. Two powerfully poisonous plants: henbane, Hyosyamus niger (left),
and jimson weed, Datura stramonium (right).