Dear etaoin: I remember being told in biochemistry that "belladonna" the plant, was so named because Italian ladies thought that the atropine effect of dilating pupils made them more attractive. I am sceptical that this could ever have been popular, because those who took it would also have their vision blurred disagreeably. I once almost cut off a finger using a circular saw before the effects of
atropine given me for a refraction had worne off, and my depth perception was badly impaired. I went to pick up a cut piece, and put my hand right into the saw.