Used centuries ago as a poison, hallucinogen, and even as a beauty remedy, belladonna is a plant rich in potentially deadly alkaloids. But the dose makes the poison: in low or even homeopathic doses, this plant may help with IBS, menopausal complaints, migraines, and flu-like symptoms. Read on to learn more about its dark history and why safer alternatives are available.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAll things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n This 500-year-old principle of toxicology from the Swiss physician and chemist Paracelsus precisely describes the effects of belladonna (Atropa<\/em> belladonna<\/em>). It sheds light on why this unusual plant can be both a deadly poison and a healing remedy.<\/p>\n Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade and devil\u2019s cherries, is an herb belonging to the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, and Jimsonweed (Solanaceae<\/em>). It can be recognized by its purple, bell-shaped flowers and cherry-like, blackberries. Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, belladonna is also sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant in the US [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Belladonna is very poisonous<\/strong>. It contains up to 20 different alkaloids<\/strong>. Its alkaloids are anticholinergics<\/a>, substances that block the \u201crest-and-digest\u201d action of acetylcholine<\/a> in the body. One of the main active compounds is hyoscyamine, which is converted into a mixture called atropine in the body [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Cholinergic activity in the body<\/a> is generally beneficial, as opposed to fight-or-flight overdrive. However, blocking cholinergic activity is beneficial for some diseases<\/strong>, especially when it comes to respiratory disorders. Belladonna can be used to relax blocked airways, relieve headaches<\/a>, irritable bowel syndrome, and menopausal symptoms [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The therapeutic potential of belladonna was explored in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Belladonna and its alkaloids were used to improve conditions such as:<\/p>\n Belladonna is still available as a component of conventional medicines such as Bellergal (0.2 mg alkaloids) and Donnatal (0.13 mg alkaloids). However, these have largely been replaced by safer compounds with more specific effects. Belladonna is also sold as herbal preparations and homeopathic remedies [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Belladonna is used in homeopathy since its origins, dating to over 200 years ago when Samuel Hahnemann (the founder of homeopathy) prescribed it for scarlet fever. Nowadays, homeopathic belladonna is used for several conditions including migraines, menopausal complaints, otitis, sore throat, pink eye, and runny nose. Note, however, that the FDA doesn\u2019t approve the use of homeopathic remedies for any conditions [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n It\u2019s very important to discriminate between herbal preparations and homeopathic ones<\/strong>. Homeopathic remedies are not<\/em> the same as herbal tinctures, extracts, and other products used in conventional and herbal medicine in an evidence-based way.<\/p>\n Sometimes herbal products are combined with homeopathic remedies. But homeopathy relies on completely different principles, such as the vital force, to explain how the remedies supposedly act.<\/p>\n Homeopathy also uses a lot of substances that are toxic in normal, oral doses, including Belladonna. Substances are greatly diluted in water or alcohol in a process called \u201cdynamization” or “potentisation” and thought to exert an energetic effect on the body.<\/p>\n Based on the belief that \u201clike cures like\u201d, homeopaths choose remedies based on the results of so-called \u201cremedy provings\u201d. In these trials, healthy people take the substance to find out which effects it produces. Homeopaths will eventually use it to cure ill people with similar symptoms [R<\/a>+].<\/p>\n In 4 remedy provings on over 400 healthy people, however, homeopathic belladonna 30C didn\u2019t cause more symptoms than placebo [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Homeopathic preparations are commonly critiqued for using such high dilutions that they contain only a few or no molecules of the active compound. Homeopathy does not consider that the effects of the remedies come from the active components of the substance used.<\/p>\n Scientific evidence does not back up the claims made by homeopathy. Indeed, a meta-analysis concluded that homeopathic remedies had no effect beyond placebo [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Homeopathic dilutions are written as a number followed by a letter (e<\/strong>.g<\/strong>., 30C)<\/strong>. The number is how many times the diluting process was performed. The letter represents the dilution factor, or how much the substance was diluted [R<\/a>+]:<\/p>\n So, a homeopathic belladonna remedy labeled as 10X would contain only about 0.000000001% of Belladonna. One labeled as 30C would contain much less, as it would mean that the substance was 30 times diluted by 100.<\/p>\n Because homeopathic belladonna preparations are not standardized, it\u2019s almost impossible to compare the doses of different products<\/strong>. But it\u2019s worthy to note that most of them probably do not contain any belladonna at all. The upside of this is that, unless adulterated or improperly diluted, they act similar to placebo and won\u2019t cause serious side effects or drug interactions <\/strong>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of homeopathic for any of the below-listed uses. Remember to speak with a doctor before using homeopathic belladonna, and never use it in place of something your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n In two studies on over 2,600 children with upper respiratory tract infections and nasal allergies, homeopathic belladonna (6C and 30C) improved runny and stuffy nose. However, neither of them was placebo-controlled [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In an observational study on over 400 menopausal women, 300 noticed an improvement in their symptoms and 83 stopped experiencing hot flashes after homeopathic therapy. Belladonna was the second most commonly prescribed remedy. However, the dilution was not specified and the study didn\u2019t include placebo controls [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n
Homeopathic Uses of Belladonna<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the Difference Between Homeopathic and Herbal Belladonna?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Understanding Homeopathic Dilutions and Doses<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Insufficient Evidence for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
1) Runny Nose<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
2) Menopausal Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n