Essence of Nightshade is a medical substance used in small doses in anti-anxiety formulae, but large doses are fatal. A single drop added to a cup of wine will calm frayed nerves, and three drops will put a person into a deep, dreamless sleep. Ten drops, even diluted into a cup of wine, are fatal.

Cersei Lannister acquires a bottle from Grand Maester Pycelle when readying for the Battle of the Blackwater. Cersei almost uses the poison on Tommen Baratheon, to prevent him from being captured when the battle seems lost. When she is halted by the arrival of Tywin Lannister to announce victory she drops the bottle to the floor, smashing it.^[1]

In the booksEdit

In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels there is a medicine called Sweetsleep which has slightly similar properties. It is used as an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic at low doses. "Nightshade" has also been mentioned as a poison. The real life deadly nightshade plant, also known as belladonna, has similar properties. 

See alsoEdit

• Sweetsleep at A Wiki of Ice and Fire (MAJOR spoilers from the books)
• Nightshade at A Wiki of Ice and Fire

ReferencesEdit