I belong to a group that posed an interesting question. A member asked us herbalists what our favorite herb was. For some herbalists, this question can pose a daunting answer since there are so many wonderful herbs on this planet. What does one look at to even think about the question? Beauty, uses, availability, the questions to ask oneself to pick just one herb can be endless and mind boggling. My answer, however, is more morbid, and a bit dangerous but with history as well.
I have been intrigued by Nightshade. Nightshades have many varieties. Tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and peppers are of a nightshade variety which is tame compared to the one that intrigues me. Atropa Belladonna. Black Nightshade is deadly, though some people have made jam and jelly from it...not advised! This particular plant grows in zones 5 – 9 and yes, I know where it grows in the state, the driftless area is loaded with the plant, along the Mississippi, Highway 35 from La Crosse WI to De Sota, WI, are just a few spots I know of from my past hiking trips in that area. Up here in the northern section we have Bittersweet Nightshade. The difference is in the berries and toxicity. Bittersweet can be deadly if you eat enough berries, but most of the time one gets sick (nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, abdominal pain) with just a few berries. The toxicity is low compared to the black variety.
The Black Nightshade is completely poisonous with the roots having the most toxicity. Just eating one leaf can kill a human, even brushing up against it can cause problems. The berries are often mistaken for blueberries or black currant, and children have been known to perish from eating just one berry.
History though is what I find appealing about this plant and being a history buff, I enjoy knowing how a plant has been used in times gone past. Ancient Romans tipped their arrows in liquid made from the plant. Every arrow that found its mark, instantly killed the enemy. Scotland’s King Duncan, used bottles filled with nightshade and poisoned the Danes who died instantly from drinking it. If it’s so poisonous, wouldn’t one be suspecting it in taste? Nope. The berries are sweet, not bitter like most poisonous herbs. The other part of history that intrigued me was when the plant was used in the Revolutionary War. Colonial women used a tea laced with honey and chamomile which slowed the effects long enough to poison British officers and soldiers who died in their sleep. The colonial women then took their equipment, and information and gave it the Colonial Army and Minuteman.
A good article on this plant with photos for identification can be found at https://allthatisinteresting.com/deadly-nightshade
From my in-depth research, I found that the berries must be fresh to be deadly. If the berries dry out, the toxicity is supposed to lessen, but I’m not about to experiment with this plant. I’ve seen it; the flowers are gorgeous, but I tend to avoid it, especially now that I know how deadly it can be, even to an unsuspecting hiker, farmer or child.
Once you know what the plant looks like, and you see it, please avoid it. If it grows in your yard, destroy it with a very potent weed killer. This is one plant that should be avoided, especially by those who don’t know how to handle it properly.
