Brand name: Belladonna
Latin name: Atropa belladonna
Other names: Black Cherry, Deadly Nightshade
A Remedy For
Irregular heartbeat
Liver and gallbladder problems
Weak heart
Belladonna has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for stomach and abdominal pain, asthma, bronchitis, and muscular pain. Applied externally, it has been used for gout and ulcers. In medicinal plasters, it is currently used to combat intestinal and digestive spasms, excessive perspiration, and bronchial asthma.
In homeopathic medicine, Belladonna is considered a remedy for the bulging eyeballs that sometimes accompany an overactive thyroid, as well as a treatment for nerve pain and scarlet fever. Its effectiveness for these problems has not been scientifically verified.
What It Is; Why It Works
Belladonna interferes with the action of acetylcholine, one of the nervous system's chief chemical messengers. Belladonna acts primarily on the heart muscle and the smooth muscle in the digestive tract, relaxing it and relieving spasms. It also has a drying effect and, in high doses, can affect the brain, causing overexcitement and hallucinations.
Belladonna gained its name during the Middle Ages, when beautiful young women used it to dilate their pupils. Today, several common prescription medications, including Donnatal and Levsin, employ the active ingredients in Belladonna to relieve intestinal problems and other complaints.
Avoid If...
There are no known reasons to avoid Belladonna at recommended doses.
Special Cautions
Due to its effects on the brain and central nervous system, Belladonna can cause muscular tremor or rigidity. A variety of side effects--many of them dangerous--appear after an excessive dose (see "Overdosage" below).
Possible Drug Interactions
Belladonna can increase the side effects of the following drugs:
Amantadine (Symmetrel)
Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
Tricyclic antidepressant medications such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Tofranil
Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known.
How To Prepare
Belladonna leaves and flowering branch tips are collected in the wild from May to July. The roots of 2- to 4-year-old plants are dug up in mid-October to mid-November or shortly before the start of the flowering season. The dried plant material is available in powder and extract form.
Typical Dosage
Belladonna powder
The average single dose is 0.05 to 0.1 gram. The maximum dose is 0.2 gram. Take no more than 0.6 gram a day.
Belladonna extract
The average single dose is 0.01 gram. The maximum dose is 0.05 gram. Take no more than 0.15 gram a day.
Belladonna leaves, powder, and extract should be stored away from sources of direct light. Belladonna root can be stored for a maximum of 3 years in a well-sealed container protected from light and insects.
Overdosage
The following side effects are usually warning signs of overdose: red skin, dry mouth, abnormally fast heartbeat, prolonged or excessive pupil dilation, inability to focus, overheating due to reduced perspiration, difficult urination, and severe or persistent constipation. High doses lead to overexcitement and symptoms such as restlessness, compulsion to talk, hallucinations, delirium, and manic attacks followed by exhaustion and sleep.
Doses of 5 to 50 grams (about 1 teaspoon to 3 tablespoons) can prove fatal for adults. Much smaller doses are fatal in children. Death usually results from asphyxiation.