Botanical Overview
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade, belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The primary parts used medicinally are the root, leaves, and berries. The plant is notorious for its high toxicity but has a significant history of medicinal use.
Energetics
Belladonna is considered warming and drying in nature. Its taste is primarily bitter, and energetically it moves ascendingly and outwardly. It has a relaxing tonicity effect.
Primary Actions
- Anticholinergic
- Spasmolytic
- Sedative
- Antidyskinetic
Indications
Western
- Muscle spasms
- Motion sickness
- Intestinal cramps
- Bronchospasm
- Parkinsonian tremors
- Pain
Syndromes
- Spastic disorders
- Parasympathetic overactivity
- Parkinson’s disease symptoms
- Digestive colic
- Respiratory spasm
TCM
No reliable traditional Chinese Medicine indications documented.
Ayurveda
No confirmed Ayurvedic uses documented.
Unani
- Spasms
- Gastrointestinal colic
- Pain
- Tremors
Constituents & Mechanisms
Main phytochemicals are tropane alkaloids including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine which exert anticholinergic effects by blocking muscarinic receptors.
Dosage & Preparations
- Tincture 1:10 45% ethanol 0.1-0.6 mL 1-3 times daily under medical supervision only
- Dry extract 5:1 standardized to alkaloid content, prescribed medically
Safety & Contraindications
Belladonna is highly toxic and misuse can cause serious poisoning symptoms such as dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, hallucinations, and death. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, young children, those with glaucoma, and prostatic hypertrophy. Avoid combining with other anticholinergic drugs or sedatives. Emergency treatment needed in overdose cases.
Astrological Correspondences
Planetary ruler: Mars
Elemental ruler: Fire
Selected References
- European Medicines Agency HMPC assessment report on Atropa belladonna (2014)
- Medicinal Plants of the World by F. Brinker (2000)
- World Health Organization Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (1999)
- A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieve (1931)
- Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham (1985)