In the 16th century, an outstanding Italian botanist, Mattioli, translated and commented on Dioscorides’s work. He said that the Tuscans called the belladonna plant herba bella donna.
During the Medieval Renaissance, Italian women used this plant to dilate their pupils, which was highly fashionable. However, women were not the only ones that used this herb. Sorcerers and poisoners soon found that an intake of belladonna caused hallucinations, delirium, and a range of other effects on the body. When taken in a certain amount, it could also cause death.
Linnaeus, the great Swedish naturalist of the 18th century, called the plant Atropa Belladonna from this notable and different toxic effect. Atropos was one of the three witches who, in the Greek myths, had the life thread of all humans in her hands. Atropos was supposed to cut the thread at a whim.
In the 19th century, biochemistry and physiology developments allowed scientists to isolate atropine, an essential alkalide the belladonna contains. Scientific research discovered many of atropine’s effects on the body and its therapeutic applications. It is currently irreplaceable in controlled doses in medical science, especially in anesthetics.
Belladonna Plant Scientific Facts
- Other names: Black cherry, deadly nightshade, dwale, poison black cherry.
- French: Belladone.
- Spanish: Belladona.
- Environment: The plant grows wild in mountainous and shady forests in southern and central Europe and South America.
- Description: This vigorous plant of the Solanaceae family grows up to 180 cm high and is oval-shaped. It has large, solitary, bell-shaped purple or violet flowers and bright blackberries like cherries.
Healing Properties and Warnings
The whole plant, especially its leaves, contains potent alkaloids (atropine and hyoscine). Atropine is parasympathetic, that is to say, a substance that blocks the transmission of the nervous pulse at the tips of the parasympathetic nervous system. These are its most essential properties:
- Mydriatic. It produces dilation of the pupils.
- It is antispasmodic. It relaxes the digestive tract, urinary system, and muscles, thus alleviating spasms and colic.
- Antisecretory. It decreases the secretions of all digestive glands, including salivary glands (it causes a dry mouth).
- Antiarrhythmic. It is used for bradycardia (slow heartbeat rate) and regulates the rate.
- Antiasthmatic. Relaxes the muscles of the bronchi, increasing their diameter (broncho-dilating effect).
The belladonna plant and its most important active component, atropine, have many medicinal uses. Atropine is widely used in ophthalmology because of its effects on the pupils. It is also used for spasms, colic of the urinary and digestive systems, and heart rate disorders.
WARNINGS
The mildly sweet berries of the belladonna plant look like cherries, so children can mistake them. Around ten berries can kill an adult, and only three or four berries can kill a child. Poisoning appears with nervous excitation, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia, and facial reddening. First aid involves inducing vomiting and administering charcoal dissolved in water, to which magnesium sulfate can be added. The victim must be immediately taken to a hospital.
Belladonna as a medicinal herb is not recommended since the correct dose is quite tricky to apply, thus producing poisoning. Font Quer, a great Spanish pharmacist and botanist, wrote in his book Medicinal Herbs: The Renewed Dioscorides that he caught a cold one day and had asthma symptoms. He prepared what seemed to be a mild infusion of belladonna leaves. A few hours later, he could not swallow; he was suffering from the side effects of a belladonna overdose.
Only professionals can correctly use the belladonna plant to kill and heal. Due to its decisive action, its active principle, atropine, is safer in medicines whose dose is perfectly known.
Frequently Asked Question
What are the primary health benefits associated with the belladonna plant?
Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, contains alkaloids like atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, historically used for their medicinal properties. Some potential health benefits include relieving muscle spasms, reducing pain, and alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.
Can the Belladonna plant be used for pain relief?
Yes, Belladonna has analgesic properties due to its alkaloid content. It has been traditionally used to alleviate various types of pain, including menstrual cramps, headaches, and neuralgia.
Is the Belladonna plant effective for treating gastrointestinal disorders?
The plant’s antispasmodic properties may help relieve symptoms associated with gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colic, and gastritis. However, because of its possible toxicity, it should be used carefully and under medical supervision.
Can Belladonna be used to treat respiratory conditions?
Belladonna has bronchodilator characteristics that can help relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions, including asthma and bronchitis, by relaxing the airways and improving airflow. However, healthcare professionals should closely monitor its use for such conditions.
Is the Belladonna plant beneficial for eye health?
It contains atropine, which is used in ophthalmology to dilate pupils for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, due to potential side effects and toxicity, eye care professionals should strictly supervise its use.
Does the Belladonna plant have any anti-inflammatory properties?
Some studies suggest it may possess anti-inflammatory properties, which could benefit inflammation conditions such as arthritis. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and efficacy.
Can Belladonna be used to relieve urinary problems?
It may help relieve urinary urgency and incontinence by relaxing the bladder muscles. However, due to potential adverse effects, healthcare providers should carefully monitor its use for urinary problems.
Is Belladonna helpful in managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms?
The plant’s alkaloids, particularly scopolamine, have been investigated for their potential in managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity. However, because of safety concerns and possible interactions with other drugs, it should only be used with a neurologist’s advice.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with using Belladonna?
Yes, the plant can be toxic when consumed in large quantities or misused. Adverse effects can consist of dry mouth, impaired vision, constipation, urine retention, disorientation, and hallucinations. Overdose can lead to severe toxicity, including coma and death.
Is it safe to use Belladonna without medical supervision?
No, it is not safe to use Belladonna without medical supervision due to its potential toxicity and side effects. It should only be used under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals who can monitor dosage, duration, and possible interactions with other medications.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 352, 353. Print.[belladonna plant]
- PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov/
- World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/
- Mayo Clinic (for health information): https://www.mayoclinic.org/
- American Association of Poison Control Centers: https://www.aapcc.org/
- U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Herbal Medicines Compendium: https://hmc.usp.org/
- European Medicines Agency (EMA): https://www.ema.europa.eu/en
- Google Scholar (for a broader search of scholarly literature): https://scholar.google.com/