Toxic Twists Eye Drops

The Bottom Line

Question:To appear more beautiful, women would distill this herb and drop it into their eyes. What herb was it?
Answer: Don't try this at home! Belladonna means "beautiful woman" in Italian. Belladonna also is another name for deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). Dropping a concoction of belladonna in water into the eyes causes the pupils to get bigger. At one time, this was thought to make a woman more attractive. It certainly made it hard for her to see! Absorbing enough belladonna could cause hallucinations and seizures, too. Back to questions