Łódź, Botanical Garden

Its likely origin was in Central America, and it has been introduced in many world regions. Possible weed. Herbal plant - leaves and seeds contain a number of alkaloids: hyoscyamine, scopolamine, apotropine, atropine; atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery; the leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic, narcotic and pectiral, used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, asthma and other chest complaints; a hot poultice of leaves and roots is applied to goitre; the skin is washed with an infusion of roots and leaves as a treatment for ulcers; the dried and ground leaves and seeds are eaten mixed with fat to treat ringworm; the juice of the fruits is applied to the scalp to cure dandruff and falling hair. Useful plant - the leaves yield a green dye that is used to dye cloth; the twigs yield a blue-green dye that is used for house decoration.