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Home >
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> Atropa
Belladonna |
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ATROPA BELLADONNA
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Don’t let the name of
this deceptively lovely
plants fool you, Belladonna
is also known as the deadly
night shade, and it is one
of the most toxic plants
around ... |
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ATROPA BELLADONNA |
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Belladonna is a
powerful muscle
relaxant that works
to prevent spasms,
along with coughs,
hay fever and more! |
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The
medicinal properties
of Atropa Belladonna
can quickly be over
shadowed by the
poisonous
properties. If used
in the right
amounts, Belladonna
is an extremely
effective analgesic
and antispasmodic.
Strangely, it is
also a common
antidote to
poisoning from
certain types of
mushroom, some
insecticides and
even nerve gas.
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In the 16th
century in Italy, many women
would put the sap from a
Belladonna plant into their
eyes. It would dilate their
pupils and give them what
was referred to as a dark
eyed brilliance that was
thought to be irresistible
to men. Nowadays, we still
use Belladonna in a similar,
yet less esthetic, manner.
We now know that Belladonna
is a powerful smooth muscle
relaxant, and as such, the
alkaloids of the Belladonna
plant are used to dilate the
pupils prior to an eye
examination or operations.
Belladonna is also used to
relax the smooth muscle of
the stomach, the small
intestine and the bile
ducts, relieving pain and
preventing spasm. It is also
widely used for the
treatment of asthma, as it
relaxes the smooth muscle of
the bronchi and makes
breathing easier. Atropine,
one of the major Alkaloids
in Belladonna, is an
effective remedy for
whooping cough, hay fever,
bradycardia, and
Parkinson’s. It works on the
parasympathetic nervous
system, which controls our
involuntary processes such
as digestion, breathing and
regulating heart beat. It
works by first exciting the
nervous system and then
depressing it.
Individuals with Parkinson’s
disease have found relief
from tremors, paralysis and
improvements in both speech
and motility with the use of
Belladonna. It can also be
used as a local anesthetic
in both herbal and
conventional medicine.
In Homeopathic preparations,
the toxic effects of
Belladonna are diluted to a
point they are no longer of
concern. Homeopaths often
prescribe Belladonna for
children who are feverish
with a hot, red or flushed
face and glazed over eyes.
It is also often prescribed
to alleviate a restless
sleep, for neuralgic pain or
convulsive movements.
Atropine is among one of the
more well known alkaloids in
the group known as
anticholinergics. As
mentioned earlier,
conventional medicine
carefully uses Atropine to
restore heart function and
it is commonly administered
during CPR. Again, the
therapeutic dose must be
used cautiously, as it can
easily become fatal.
As a plant, as little as 5
berries can be fatal for
children and one small leaf
can poison an adult. The
leaf and roots of a
Belladonna plant can be
dried and powdered or made
into a dry or liquid
extract, such as an alcohol
extract or tincture.
An adult dose of total
alkaloids at or under 1.8
m/day in divided doses, not
exceeding .6 mg total
alkaloids in a single dose,
has been found safe. The
dosage for children will
vary, so be sure to consult
your MD or Naturopath before
using Belladonna.
Individuals with a
nightshade allergy (bell
peppers, potatoes, eggplant)
should also avoid
Belladonna. Even at dilute
concentrations, Belladonna
may cause redness of the
skin, flushing, dry skin,
hives and sun sensitivity.
Be careful when going out
into the sun unprotected if
using Belladonna or Atropine
containing medications.
Anticholinergic drugs and
herbs interact with many
other prescribed
medications. Speak with your
MD, Naturopath or Pharmacist
before starting any
antichoinergic medication.
It is not recommended during
pregnancy or while
breastfeeding. |
Atropa
Belladonna –
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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Leaves,
Roots |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Pain relief
and spasm of
the stomach,
intestines
and bile
duct, muscle
and joint
pain, muscle
spasm,
pancreatitis,
menstrual
pain and
cramps,
arthritis,
scarlet
fever,
whooping
cough,
asthma and
more. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
Three to
four divided
doses of .2
- .6 total
alkaloids/day. |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Be cautious
when using
Belladonna
with other
anticholinergic
herbs and
medications. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Belladonna
can be
lethal at
even
moderate
doses. It
also
interacts
with a
variety of
pharmaceutical
medications.
Consult your
doctor
before using
Belladonna.
Individuals
with
nightshade
allergy
should be
aware that
may also
have an
allergy to
Belladonna.
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informational
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practitioner before
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health care
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copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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